Control arms are a component many car owners have heard of but might not know exactly how they work. With some cars featuring up to 8 individual control arms between the front, rear, upper, and lower control arms, it is important to know how they work and what symptoms to look for when they go out.

What Is A Control Arm?

A control arm is an integral part of a vehicle's suspension system. It is a metal component with rubber bushings that connects the wheel hubs to the chassis. The purpose of the control arm is to provide an adjustable link between the wheels and body in order to reduce vibration, maintain ride height, and ensure better vehicle handling. It also allows for caster and camber adjustments, ensuring optimum tire-to-road contact for improved braking, acceleration, and cornering performance.

Front Vs Rear Control Arms

There are a few things to remember when talking about control arms on a vehicle. Most vehicles are going to have front control arms and rear control arms. Within the front and rear, you might also have an upper and lower front or rear control arm.

Front

A front control arm is a component of a car's suspension system that supports both sides of the wheel hub assembly and provides camber and caster adjustment capability. This component consists of two parts (upper and lower control arm): one that connects to the chassis and another which connects to the wheel hub via a bushing or ball joint. The front control arm is responsible for maintaining proper geometry between the wheels and body so that vibrations are reduced and better handling performance can be achieved.

Rear

A rear control arm is similar in design to a front control arm but located at the rear axle instead of at the front axle. It can feature two separate pieces joined together by an adjustable mounting point, allowing for more precise tuning than its front counterpart. The rear control arm works similarly to its counterpart as it helps maintain proper geometry between the wheels and body while reducing vibration and improving handling performance when cornering or accelerating/braking quickly.

Symptoms Of A Bad Control Arm

If your vehicle’s control arms start showing signs of wear, they need to be replaced in order to avoid costly repairs later on down the line. Some common symptoms of bad control arms include:

-Unusual noises coming from your suspension system, such as clunking/knocking sounds when turning or braking suddenly

-Excessive Tire Wear – If your tires are wearing faster than normal then this could indicate worn-out components in your suspension system

-Misalignment Issues – If your car’s steering wheel isn’t properly aligned, then this could be due to worn-out bushings in your car’s control arms

-Uneven Ride Height – If your ride height becomes uneven, then this can mean that one side has excessive wear on its bushings, causing it not to function properly

-Vibration While Driving – If you feel excessive vibration coming from your car while driving, then this could indicate worn-out components in your suspension system, including those found in your car’s control arms

GSP’s High-Quality Control Arm Solutions

At GSP Latin America, we produce high-quality, direct replacement, premium control arms to get your vehicle riding better than ever. Our control arms offer the following benefits:

Precision - Manufactured in world-leading CNC machines to ensure processing accuracy and stability.

Optimization - OE design improvement for better product performance and easier installation.

Quality Control - All steering and suspension parts undergo an extensive quality control process

Anti-Corrosion Treatment - All GSP steering and suspension components are covered with an electrophoretic paint to provide superior anti-corrosion treatment.