The control arms on a car are the suspension components that connect the wheel hubs to the vehicle body. They allow the wheels to move up and down over bumps in the road while keeping the body of the car level. The control arms are also what provide the camber and toe adjustment for your wheels.
There are two types of control arms: upper and lower. The upper control arms connect to the body of the car at the top near the engine and the lower control arms connect to the body of the car at the bottom near the wheels. Most cars have separate control arms for the front and rear wheels but some cars have a single control arm that spans the width of the car and connects to both front and rear wheels.
The control arms are usually made of metal and they pivot on bushings or bearings at the attachment points. The arm itself is usually U-shaped with the wheel hub attaching to the inside of the U. The upper and lower control arms are connected to each other by a crossmember and the whole assembly is often referred to as a control arm assembly.
The control arms have a few different functions. First they allow the suspension to absorb impact from bumps in the road. This is why the control arms are often the first suspension component to wear out; they take a lot of abuse!
Second the control arms keep the wheels in alignment with the body of the car. If the control arms are worn or damaged it can cause the wheels to point in the wrong direction which can lead to uneven tire wear and poor handling.
Finally the control arms are what allow you to adjust the camber and toe of your wheels. Camber is the angle of the wheel in relation to the ground when viewed from the front or rear of the car. If the top of the wheel is closer to the car than the bottom it has negative camber. If the bottom of the wheel is closer to the car than the top it has positive camber.
Toe is the angle of the wheel in relation to the centerline of the car. If the front of the wheel is pointing away from the centerline it has toe-out. If the front of the wheel is pointing towards the centerline it has toe-in.
Most cars have adjustable control arms so that you can change the camber and toe of the wheels. This is important for getting the best possible tire wear and handling performance from your car.
If you’re interested in learning more about control arms or any other suspension component be sure to check out our Suspension 101 series.
What are the control arms on a car?
The control arms on a car are the two metal bars that connect the wheels to the body of the car.
What is the function of the control arms on a car?
The function of the control arms on a car is to keep the wheels in alignment with the body of the car.
How do control arms work?
The control arms on a car work by keeping the wheels in alignment with the body of the car.
What are the benefits of having control arms on a car?
The benefits of having control arms on a car include improved handling better fuel economy and longer tire life.
Are control arms necessary for a car?
Yes control arms are necessary for a car in order to keep the wheels in alignment with the body of the car.
What happens if a car does not have control arms?
If a car does not have control arms the wheels will not be properly aligned with the body of the car and this will cause problems with handling fuel economy and tire life.
Can control arms be replaced?
Yes control arms can be replaced if they become worn or damaged.
How often do control arms need to be replaced?
Control arms typically need to be replaced every 50000 miles or so.
What is the cost of replacing control arms?
The cost of replacing control arms can vary depending on the make and model of the car but typically it will cost between $200 and $400.
Are there any risks associated with replacing control arms?
No there are no risks associated with replacing control arms.
What are some signs that control arms need to be replaced?
Some signs that control arms need to be replaced include unusual tire wear alignment problems and suspension noise.
How can I prevent my control arms from needing to be replaced?
You can prevent your control arms from needing to be replaced by having them inspected and lubricated on a regular basis.
What will happen if I do not replace my control arms when they need to be replaced?
If you do not replace your control arms when they need to be replaced it could lead to more serious problems such as decreased handling and increased tire wear.
Can I replace my control arms myself?
Yes you can replace your control arms yourself if you have some basic mechanical skills.
What are some tips for replacing control arms?
Some tips for replacing control arms include making sure to get the correct parts using jack stands to support the car and following the instructions in the repair manual.
