1991 BMW 318i Control Arm

What is a control arm in a car?

The control arms of your suspension system are the essential component. For a better understanding, control arms are the connection that links your car's wheels to the rest of the vehicle. Your vehicle's wheel assembly is connected to one end of this cable, and the structure of your car is connected to the other.

The upper and lower control arms then join the vehicle's chassis, with the upper arm connecting to the region of the wheel at the very top and the lower arm connecting to the part of the wheel at the bottom. The design is the same whether or not the vehicle has an independent rear suspension.

The control arms are believed to have a good life, i.e., up to 100,100 miles. However, they degenerate, bend, and wear out over a considerable period. This can be reduced in case of severe accidents where they can instantly break because of the trauma.

Symptoms of a bad control arm

• Uneven tire wear
  Abnormal wear patterns on tires due to misalignment.
• Vibration or noise
  Clunking, knocking, or rattling sounds when driving over bumps.
• Steering problems
  Difficulty steering or a loose feeling in the steering wheel.
• Poor handling
  Reduced stability or increased body roll during turns.
• Alignment issues
  The vehicle pulling to one side or wandering during straight-line driving.
• Visible damage
  Cracks, bends, or rust on the control arm or bushings.

What to do if you have control arm issues?

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned, take your vehicle to a shop for a comprehensive suspension inspection. For those who enjoy DIY repairs, lift your car on jack stands and carefully examine the control arms and front steering for any problems. If your control arm or any other suspension component fails while driving, try to slow down and safely move off the road. Keep in mind that a complete failure of the control arm may result in loss of steering control.