Replace a Spare part Control arm – a defective one or if the limit of use has been already reached. Find out useful information about Control arm
Faults of control arm
deformation of the arm;
corrosion or cracks on the part;
breaking of the control arm metal-rubber mounting;
wear of a ball joint or a support joint.
Symptoms of control arm failure
free play in the wheel hubs;
tire wear;
body vibration while driving;
vibration of the steering wheel while driving;
noise and rattle in the suspension while turning the steering wheel and driving on a low quality road;
deterioration of the vehicle dynamics;
increased rate of the steering wheel free play.
Causes of control arm faults
wear of bushes;
sporty driving style;
vehicle operation on roads with poor surface;
ingress of water on the part surface;
pollution of control arm;
violation of the wheels toe-in original size.
Diagnostics of control arm
To check the control arm state, you will need a jack or a hoist. In the mounted car disconnect ball joints. Now make sure the suspension arm does not drop. To do this, shake it vertically. The norm is when the control arm springs out and returns to the original position. In addition, it is important that the sleeve is not rotated against the eyelets.
Replacing control arm
If you decide to replace the part on your own, read the following instructions:
use a jack and place supports;
remove the retaining nut;
disconnect the arm from the body;
disconnect the tie rod with the ball joint from the arm;
you can remove the arm;
insert a new part between the rod and the ball joint, securing it with bolts and self-locking nuts (everything must be new)
first turn the nuts from below with a force of 90 Nm, and then tighten at the angle of 30 to 40 degrees;
insert the bolt fastening the arm to the body and tighten the nut (do not tighten until stop);
lift the arm using a jack (it should occupy substantially horizontal position at an angle of 80 degrees);
tighten the nut (force 60 Nm);
remove the jack and put the car on the ground.
Control arm replacement - instructions, descriptions and repair
Raise the front of the car using a lifting device. Check the:
Suspension arms. They shouldn’t have signs of deformation, chips, or cracks.
Fastening bolts. The connections should be tight.
Bushes. Rock the arms in horizontal and vertical directions. There should be only minimal free play.
Ball joints: put the tyre lever between the steering knuckle and the suspension arm. There should be no free play.
Stabiliser bar or sway bar: place a tyre lever between the subframe and the suspension arm and apply force. Free play of the stabilizer bar indicates that its bushes are worn out.
How do I remove the suspension arm?
You will need:
a car lifting device;
wheel chocks;
a bush driver;
a set of screwdrivers and open-end and ring spanners;
a torque wrench;
rust removal agent.
The procedure may differ depending on a vehicle’s model and make, so be sure to consult your car user’s manual. Remember, the components of the front and rear suspension have to be replaced in different ways. In both cases, you will need to remove the wheels and unscrew all fasteners of the part to be changed, which connect it to the subframe, the steering knuckle, and to other elements. During the reassembly process, it is important to tighten the fasteners applying the recommended torque. After the parts have been replaced, check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
Which suspension arm brand is the best?
The components are generally divided into three groups based on price and working lifespan:
Premium: this group includes the arms from Delphi, Lemförder, TRW, and other brands. They are expensive, but have a long lifespan – more than 120,000 kilometres of mileage.
Mid-range: these parts are characterised by their high quality and last for up to 75,000 kilometres. Brands such as Metzger, Moog, Topran, Meyle, Febi Bilstein, Japanparts, and ABS all offer these parts as part of their ranges.
Budget: their lifespan is under 40,000 kilometres but they are affordable. Brands like Ridex, Mapco and Vaico all stock these products.
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