Control Arms: Small Part, Big Impact
September 27, 2026
Here’s one part of your vehicle you may never have heard of: the control arm. It’s the part that connects the wheel hub and steering knuckle to your vehicle’s frame. What it does is lets your wheel move up and down while keeping it aligned with your vehicle.
Most control arms have things called ball joints and bushings. They take a constant beating and wear out after a while. It’s important to make sure your control arms are in good shape so your steering is stable and handling easy. It also reduces wear on your tires and allows your suspension parts to wear evenly.
How do you know if you need a new control arm? You might feel clunks or knocking sounds every time you drive over a bump. Your tires may wear unevenly and you might feel your steering wheel vibrate. You might find your vehicle pulls to one side when you’re driving.
If you notice some of these signs, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle over so one of our technicians can check things out. If they find you need a new control arm, they’ll remove the old one, install the new one and tighten bolts to specifications recommended by the manufacturer.
Sometimes we recommend replacing other components, such as sway bars, if it appears they’ve worn out. It’s also a good idea to have us replace both control arms to keep your handling even. And after a control arm replacement, it’s best to have us perform a wheel alignment.
ABC Auto Works
127 E. Walled Lake Drive
Walled Lake, Michigan 48390
800-742-4511
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