Nissan Lower Control Arm Buyer's Guide
There are two lower control arms on your Nissan. Lower control arms play a big role in your Nissan's suspension system. You may have a few questions about your lower control arms, including:
- What is a lower control arm?
- How do I know if my lower control arm is failing?
- Are aftermarket lower control arms better than OEM?
- How do I replace a lower control arm on my Nissan?
This buyer's guide has the answers to your questions about lower control arms.
1. What Is A Lower Control Arm?

A lower control arm is a metal part that's shaped like an "A". It connects to the chassis and the lowermost area of the front wheel hub assembly. Each of your Nissan's front wheels has a lower control arm.
The reason your Nissan has lower control arms is to help connect the front wheels to the rest of the car. They are part of the suspension system. As you drive, the lower control arms keep the front wheels stable. For a more thorough explanation on lower control arms, check out this post.
2. How To Tell If Your Lower Control Arm Is Failing
Control arms should last the lifetime of the vehicle, but sometimes they'll fail. The two most common reasons lower control arms fail are:
- Worn mounting bushings
- Physical damage from a heavy impact
If you have a hunch that your Nissan has a bad lower control arm, you don't have to bring your car to a shop. You can easily diagnose the issue yourself at home. All you need is a flashlight and this diagnostic guide.
3. OEM Vs. Aftermarket Lower Control Arms
Do you have a lower control arm that needs replacing? You might be wondering if an aftermarket lower control arm would be a better investment than an OEM replacement. This guide compares aftermarket lower control arms to OEM arms. It concludes that OEM lower control arms are the much better option when you consider the following important factors:
- Material quality
- Fitment
- Warranty
4. How To Replace A Lower Control Arm
You don't have to bring your Nissan to a shop to replace one of your lower control arms. As long as you have basic tools and a way to lift your car, you can replace it yourself. This tutorial has comprehensive steps that are easy to follow.
Do you have any questions that weren't answered in this guide? You're welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.