How To Tell If Your Vehicle's Lower Control Arm Is Failing
The control arm is a hefty chunk of metal with suspension bushings mounted in it. Because of their solid construction, control arms often last the life of the vehicle. Yet, sometimes control arms do fail early.
If you have a hunch that you’re dealing with a bad control arm, this guide is for you. We’ll show you how to confirm whether your control arms are still in good working order.
Why Do Control Arms Fail?
Under normal circumstances, the actual metal portion of the control arm doesn't fail. But the suspension bushings in the arm will wear out over time. When this happens, the control arm moves more than it should.
Image Credit: Abused VQ
Sometimes the metal portion of a control arm will fail if something hits it hard enough and bends it. This happens more easily if rust has weakened the part. A bent control arm is a big problem. So it's in your best interests to check the control arms as soon as possible if you think one has been damaged.
Signs Of Failing Mounting Bushings
If the suspension bushings on one of your control arms fail, you'll experience some of the following telltale signs:
- Clunking noise in the wheel area
- Less precise steering
- Poor alignment
- Unusual tire wear
Signs Of A Bent Control Arm
A bent control arm is much more serious than failed mounting bushings. Here are some of the most common telltale signs that the control arm is bent:
- Vehicle pulling to the side
- Tire sitting at and unusual angle
- Accelerated wear on either edge of the tire
- Loose steering
- Clunking noise in the steering area
Checking Your Control Arms
You don't need any expertise or fancy equipment to check your control arms. To check your control arms, you need to give them a visual inspection. To do this:
- Lift your car until the tires are free and clear from the ground.
- Locate one of the control arms. You will see 2 bushings where the arm connects to the frame. Most control arms also have a ball joint near the wheel.
- Have someone wiggle the tire side to side. They need to put some effort into it.This is to see if there's any play in the suspension bushings, or in the ball joint.
- Visually inspect the bushings to see if they are cracking or crumbling
- Finally, give the metal part of the arm a visual inspection. Look for any cracks, bent areas, or severe rust.
- Repeat with the other control arm on your Nissan.
Please contact us if you have any questions about diagnosing a failing control arm.