What happens when your control arm goes bad?
When a control arm fails, multiple things can happen. Most failures occur from the ball joint failing. Complete ball joint failure can cause a steering knuckle disconnection and loss of control of the vehicle. Control arm bushings can also wear and fail, creating clunking, wandering steering, and loss of control.
Why are the ball joints on my control arm worn out?
They are equipped with bushings and ball joints that allow it to flex and move according to road conditions and steering input from the driver. Over time, the bushings or ball joints on the control arm can wear out and cause all sorts of problems.
What makes a car’s control arm work so well?
A functioning control arm helps with smooth driving. Two other components in this system — a bushing and a ball joint — are also crucial to the operation of control arms. The broad end of the triangle that is connected to the frame moves a bushing while the other end joined to the steering knuckle navigates on a ball joint.
What are the symptoms of a bad control arm?
Here are the most common symptoms of bad control arm bushings and ball joints: Specifically coming from the control arm and usually following a bump, braking, or a hard turn. Pulling to the left or right without input from the steering wheel.
Where are the ball joints on a car?
Ball joints are designed to keep your vehicle’s tires flat against the road as the suspension travels up and down. One ball joint is placed on the farthest edge of both the upper and lower control arms. The ball joint connects the control arms to the steering knuckles on either side of the vehicle.
They are equipped with bushings and ball joints that allow it to flex and move according to road conditions and steering input from the driver. Over time, the bushings or ball joints on the control arm can wear out and cause all sorts of problems.
A functioning control arm helps with smooth driving. Two other components in this system — a bushing and a ball joint — are also crucial to the operation of control arms. The broad end of the triangle that is connected to the frame moves a bushing while the other end joined to the steering knuckle navigates on a ball joint.
Ball joints are designed to keep your vehicle’s tires flat against the road as the suspension travels up and down. One ball joint is placed on the farthest edge of both the upper and lower control arms. The ball joint connects the control arms to the steering knuckles on either side of the vehicle.
Here are the most common symptoms of bad control arm bushings and ball joints: Specifically coming from the control arm and usually following a bump, braking, or a hard turn. Pulling to the left or right without input from the steering wheel.