Control Arms - Scotty’s Automotive Repair

Car ownership comes with a lot of responsibility, and part of that responsibility is to keep up on routine maintenance to ensure your vehicle is operating safely. One essential suspension component that needs to be checked are the control arms. Because control arms help to secure the wheels to the chassis they can become worn over time and need to be repaired or replaced. At Scotty’s Automotive Repair we have highly trained and skilled mechanics on hand who have experience with control arm replacement, lower control arm replacement, control arm repair, and control arm bushing.

What Are Control Arms?

Control arms are an essential part of a vehicles suspension system and are responsible for controlling the up and down movement of the suspension as well as attaching the axles to the car. While the style or shape of control arms have varied over the years, their primary function has never changed, and that is to hold everything together. Control arms are made from stamped steel, cast iron, or cast aluminum. Stamped steel was commonly used to make control arms because it was cheap and easy to manufacture, but their primary weakness was rust and would need to replace often. Cast iron became a popular material used to make control arms as they are strong and can withstand a variety of environments, making them perfect for trucks and SUV's. Modern vehicles will usually have control arms made from cast aluminum which is less prone to corrosion, but because aluminum is a soft metal, these control arms are susceptible to bending and cracking.

Signs You Need Control Arm Repair

Since control arms are responsible for controlling the suspension system and keeping the axle and axle parts securely attached to the vehicle, it is essential to make sure you are maintaining them properly. Listed below are some common signs indicating that the control arms need repair:

1. Vibration

The most common and obvious sign that your car is experiencing control arm issues is that the steering wheel will vibrate. The steering wheel vibrations will become worse when you are accelerating and will lessen once you begin driving at a constant speed.

2. Wandering Steering Wheel

One sign that the control arms need repair is when the steering wheel will wander. When the ball joints or bushings of the control arms become old or worn out, they can cause a shift in the car's steering. If you are driving down the road and you feel the steering wheel pull to the right or left, and you are continually correcting this to steer the car properly then it is vital to have the vehicle inspected for control arm bushing or control arm repair.

3. Clunking Noises

Another sign that your vehicle may be experiencing control arm problems is you will hear a clunking noise. When the control arm bushing or control arm joints become old, worn, and loose, they will "knock" when you accelerate and produce a clunking noise. This noise will become worse over time as the component keeps wearing until it eventually breaks. At Scotty's Automotive Repair, the safety of our customers is our number one priority, and it is essential to make sure you are keeping up on routine maintenance. We have certified mechanics on hand that can diagnose and fix any problem you may be experiencing with vehicles control arms. If you are unsure when the last time was you had the control arms checked or repaired, call us today to schedule an appointment, and we will inspect your vehicle and answer any questions you may have about control arm repair, control arm replacement, or control arm bushing.