What is a control arm?
A control arm also called A-arms refers to the suspension component that is usually found in vehicles. However, it is a suspension link that connects the wheel hub and steering knuckles to the chassis.
These, therefore, make the bushings and ball joints enable the flex to move by the conditions of the road and steering input from the driver.
Reasons of control arm damage
You need to be conscious of whatever happens if the control arm breaks while you’re driving. This will not only allow you to be on top of the situation but will also give you enough time and the ability to correct the abnormality.
Having that in mind, it’s important you note the following symptoms of a failing control arm.
- Steering wandering
The worn-out ball joints/blushing made out of metal and rubber or plastic parts makes the vehicle’s steering alignment shift when the steering pulls either to the left or right in the course of traveling down the road.
- Clunking noises
Clunking noises are a regular symptom of problematic control arms on a vehicle when the bushings or ball joints are loosened.
- Drive Comfort
Irregular blushing will constrain driving performance and the heavily damaged one can become ineffective and only result in vibrations throughout the drive.
- Braking
Due to gross or partial damage of the control arm bushing, the forward and backward oscillation of the control arm is lost. The prevalence of this situation makes the brake unstable.
- Acceleration
When your car accelerates at a static position or experiences only backward movement, it could be said that the control arm is faulty.
Prevention methods
The unexpected damage of the control arm, particularly while driving is unwholesome for the driver. It brings about several problems. The following are the ways through which control arm failure can be contained.
- A problematic control arm produces few symptoms which can be identified by a conscious and alert driver.
- Correct the abnormalities to steer the vehicle straight.
- Accurate alignment of the wheel
- Correction of axle
- Make acceleration and extreme turns test
- Swinging the control arm