Your vehicle may have an upper and a lower control arm, or it may only have a lower control arm. The upper control arm is attached to the top area of the front wheel, and the lower control arm is connected to the lower part of the front wheel. They are then connected to the frame.
The control arm consists of a ball joint, a body, bushings, and a sleeve. The bushings connect the control arms to the frame, which allows the control arms to move up and down as you drive. The other part of the control arm is attached to a spindle that attaches to a ball joint, which allows the wheel to move left and right.
Here are some of the symptoms of a failing control arm:
Steering Wheel Problems
You might feel control arm problems in the steering wheel first. If the steering wheel is wandering, there can be bushing and ball joint problems. Additionally, a vibration through the steering wheel upon acceleration can indicate worn bushings. You may notice this more as you drive on a dirt road or any other bumpy surface.
Not all steering problems are control arm problems, so you may have a bad tie rod or other suspension issues on your vehicle.
Shaky Wheels
A bad control arm loses connection with the wheels, so if the bushings or ball joints are wearing out, the wheels will become misaligned. If that happens, you might notice your wheels shaking as you drive. The wheels may pull from side to side, too.
Strange Noises
As the control arm fails, you might hear pops and clunks as the ball joints and bushings wear out. This is the sound of metal-on-metal connections in the damaged parts.
Rough Ride
Because the control arms keep the vehicle stable, if they are wearing out, the shock absorbers are unable to do their job since they will no longer have a good connection to the wheels. The ride will become rough, and you might notice a lean during cornering.
Uneven Tire Wear
Bad control arms can cause tire wear problems. As a bushing wears, the alignment is affected, and that causes excessive or uneven tire wear on the edges of the tires.
If you notice any of these problems with your steering and handling, then you may have a problem with your control arm. If you are unable to diagnose the problem yourself, then contact a professional technician who can identify the problem for you.