What is a control arm and how does it work?\r\n
\n\n
A control arm is a suspension component, usually made of heavy gauge steel or aluminum, that links the steering knuckle in the front \u2014 or axle carrier in the rear \u2014 to the frame of the vehicle. Many vehicles have upper and lower control arms. The inboard link(s) of the arm securely bolt to the frame of the vehicle through rubber bushings, while the outboard link of the control arm connects to the steering knuckle through a ball joint; all of which allow the control of the up and down movement of the steering knuckle or axle carrier. This minimizes the transmission of shock and vibration to the vehicle\u2019s body.
\n
","articleDesc2":"
When to consider replacing a control arm: \r\n
\n\n
The structural portion of the control arm can last the life of the vehicle \u2014 except for cases of corrosion or crash damage. However, the rubber bushings and the ball joint in a control arm have a limited life. A mechanic should investigate if you notice:
\n\n
\n- Wheel alignment difficulties. Should the bushings, or the ball joint, in a control arm be worn, it will be impossible to properly align the vehicle. The worn components, or the entire arm, must be replaced.
\n- Vehicle won\u2019t track straight or pulls to one side. A car will not track straight and may require constant steering correction if there is a worn, bent, or loose control arm.
\n- Clunking or squeaking noise. A loose control arm, or a control arm with dried out, rotted, or loose bushings, may move enough to cause detectable noise from the suspension as you go over bumps in the road.
\n- Vehicle pulls to one side only when braking. Worn bushings or ball joints can allow control arm to shift when braking, causing the vehicle to pull to one side. Although, this could also be caused by brake calipers.
\n
\n\n
How do mechanics replace a control arm?\r\n
\n\n
\n- The vehicle is raised and supported on steel jack stands, and the wheel and tire assembly is removed.
\n- Stabilizer bar links are detached from the control arm, if applicable. ABS wiring to the wheel speed sensor, if routed along the arm, is disconnected.
\n- Control arm mounting bolts are detached from the frame and from the axle carrier if the control arm is in the rear.
\n- For front control arms connected to the steering knuckle via a ball joint, the nut is removed from the ball joint stud and the stud is pushed through the steering knuckle to free the arm.
\n- The arm is lowered from the vehicle and examined by the mechanic to confirm that the noise, or other problem, actually originated from a defect in the arm.
\n- The new arm is installed using new mounting bolts if required by the service manual. In many cases, the fasteners must be tightened with the vehicle weight on the suspension in order to ensure the bushings are in a neutral, or resting, position.
\n- The vehicle is lowered and road tested to confirm the problem is resolved. Replacing a control arm will change the vehicle alignment settings and the mechanic will refer you to a professional alignment shop to have the vehicle alignment set to factory specifications.
\n
\n\n
Is it safe to drive with a control arm problem? \r\n
\n\n
No. If the car wanders on the road, pulls to one side, or noise from the suspension is loud, you need to schedule repair right away. Should the problem be limited to low levels of noise, such as clunking or squeaking, continued use of the car is reasonable until you can schedule a repair. Should the control arms be damaged as a result of a collision, it would be unsafe to drive the car until it is repaired.
\n\n
When replacing a control arm keep in mind:\r\n
\n\n
\n- The number of control arm types vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on the design of the vehicle suspension.
\n- Control arms should be replaced in pairs \u2014 arms on both sides of a front or rear axle \u2014 if the reason for replacement is worn control arm bushings or a worn ball joint.
\n- All other suspension components should be inspected when control arms are replaced because looseness, damage, or excessive wear in other parts of the suspension system will make it impossible to perform a wheel alignment after the control arms are replaced.
\n
\n
"},"reviewsAndRatings":{"reviewsData":{"make":null,"model":null,"jid":159,"city_id":null,"state_id":null,"review_count":10,"mechanics":[{"id":1527540,"name":"Sayeed","login":"sibrahim","mech_location":"Valley Stream, NY","experience":17,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/15892337621187334063","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/15892337621187334063","profile_url":"/pro/sibrahim","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":82,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"Did a Great Job, im very satisfied.","author":"Barbara","review_date":"2019-09-14T22:57:40-07:00","service_location":"Elmont, New York","year":"2003","make":"Mercedes-Benz","model":"C230","engine":"L4-1.8L Turbo","car":"2003 Mercedes-Benz C230 L4-1.8L Turbo","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Front Lower Right)","job_id":159}]},{"id":145851,"name":"James","login":"james394","mech_location":"Lakewood, CA","experience":31,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/353319979937844279","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/353319979937844279","profile_url":"/pro/james394","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":690,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"Great work! Fast and on time!","author":"MANUEL","review_date":"2021-01-21T00:30:23-08:00","service_location":"La Mirada, California","year":"2016","make":"Hyundai","model":"Sonata","engine":"L4-2.4L","car":"2016 Hyundai Sonata L4-2.4L","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Front Lower Left, Front Lower Right)","job_id":159}]},{"id":1289371,"name":"Dominic","login":"dserauskas","mech_location":"Plainfield, IL","experience":25,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/14663667423797834070","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/14663667423797834070","profile_url":"/pro/dserauskas","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":11,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"I'd described what was going on with my vehicle to the phone support when I set up the appointment. How I had bought the whole lower rear control arm assembly to fix the lower control arm which came damaged with the car, the assembly fortunately included upper control arm, and strut assembly as well as new bolts from Toyota. In addition to the lower, the upper was twisted and bent. He swapped basically everything in about two hours, despite a broken upper camber bolt which he swapped to get the car functional again.","author":"Charles","review_date":"2019-04-08T03:04:14-07:00","service_location":"Shorewood, Illinois","year":"2005","make":"Scion","model":"tC","engine":"L4-2.4L","car":"2005 Scion tC L4-2.4L","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Rear Lower Right)","job_id":159}]},{"id":338249,"name":"Andrew","login":"aquinn","mech_location":"Raytown, MO","experience":11,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/677637314783846459","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/677637314783846459","profile_url":"/pro/aquinn","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":845,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"Andrew did an amazing job I would recommend to anybody.","author":"Antonio","review_date":"2021-02-06T17:52:36-08:00","service_location":"Kansas City, Missouri","year":"2011","make":"Honda","model":"Odyssey","engine":"V6-3.5L","car":"2011 Honda Odyssey V6-3.5L","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Front Lower Left, Front Lower Right)","job_id":159}]},{"id":1158484,"name":"Attila","login":"attila","mech_location":"Belleville, NJ","experience":19,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/8179699201266613102","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/8179699201266613102","profile_url":"/pro/attila","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":910,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"This was the second job with yourmechanics and Attila was my mechanic for each\uf44d I strongly recommend this company","author":"Dianne","review_date":"2020-06-09T22:53:58-07:00","service_location":"Newark, New Jersey","year":"2012","make":"Nissan","model":"Juke","engine":"L4-1.6L Turbo","car":"2012 Nissan Juke L4-1.6L Turbo","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Front Lower Right)","job_id":159}]},{"id":1250883,"name":"Travis","login":"tschulze","mech_location":"Hastings, MN","experience":13,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/13839508297373722948","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/13839508297373722948","profile_url":"/pro/tschulze","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":582,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"he was very good at his job and he said everything that I could understand and when I didn't he explained to me what he is doing.","author":"ron","review_date":"2021-07-15T19:29:37-07:00","service_location":"Minneapolis, Minnesota","year":"2000","make":"Chrysler","model":"Concorde","engine":"V6-2.7L","car":"2000 Chrysler Concorde V6-2.7L","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Front Lower Left)","job_id":159}]},{"id":1079656,"name":"Matthew","login":"mmitchner","mech_location":"Indianapolis, IN","experience":12,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/7992959929881429383","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/7992959929881429383","profile_url":"/pro/mmitchner","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":183,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"His work was great and fast!","author":"Journey","review_date":"2018-05-03T14:47:35-07:00","service_location":"Indianapolis, Indiana","year":"1999","make":"Mercedes-Benz","model":"E320","engine":"V6-3.2L","car":"1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 V6-3.2L","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Front Lower Right)","job_id":159}]},{"id":1639609,"name":"Benji","login":"benji","mech_location":"Mesa, AZ","experience":22,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/17120527480549841321","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/17120527480549841321","profile_url":"/pro/benji","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":277,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"After my failed attempt to replace my control arms I contacted Yourmechanic. they sent out Benji. He was excellent. Installed the parts I bought and pointed out a mistake I had made in previous repair. The whole thing took very little time and when he was done everything was cleaner than I left it for him! \nAnother perfect Mechanic from this site! \nThanks!","author":"Matthew","review_date":"2019-05-21T19:28:33-07:00","service_location":"Phoenix, Arizona","year":"2004","make":"Honda","model":"Element","engine":"L4-2.4L","car":"2004 Honda Element L4-2.4L","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Front Lower Left, Front Lower Right)","job_id":159}]},{"id":544813,"name":"Harish","login":"harish","mech_location":"Charlotte, NC","experience":27,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/7540557693377353418","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/7540557693377353418","profile_url":"/pro/harish","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":588,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"Excellent service and very friendly. Took care of the car like his own.","author":"Abhishek","review_date":"2017-01-05T20:12:10-08:00","service_location":"Charlotte, North Carolina","year":"2002","make":"BMW","model":"325i","engine":"L6-2.5L","car":"2002 BMW 325i L6-2.5L","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Rear Upper Right)","job_id":159}]},{"id":680639,"name":"Vladimir","login":"vkishov","mech_location":"West Sacramento, CA","experience":10,"avatar_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/yourmechanic/image/upload/dpr_auto,f_auto,g_face,q_auto/v1/mechanic/avatar_images/9051682276946240927","avatar_path":"mechanic/avatar_images/9051682276946240927","profile_url":"/pro/vkishov","average_rating":5,"ratings_count":214,"reviews":[{"rating":5,"content":"Very professional and works steady till the job is done.i would recommend him to anyone I know,","author":"Joe","review_date":"2018-01-04T06:14:31-08:00","service_location":"Sacramento, California","year":"2002","make":"Ford","model":"F-150","engine":"V8-5.4L","car":"2002 Ford F-150 V8-5.4L","job":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement (Front Upper Left)","job_id":159}]}],"hide_description":true},"aggregateRating":{"jid":159,"extrapolated_service_count":11660,"rating_count":1060,"rating":"4.9","count_1_star":20,"count_2_star":3,"count_3_star":7,"count_4_star":43,"count_5_star":987},"linkToReviewsPage":"/reviews/?mktg_jid=159&city=2714","cityLinks":[{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In La Palma, CA","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=la-palma-ca"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Lakeside, CA","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=lakeside-ca"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Costa Mesa, CA","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=costa-mesa-ca"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In San Lorenzo, CA","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=san-lorenzo-ca"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Eagle Lake, FL","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=eagle-lake-fl"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Oak Forest, IL","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=oak-forest-il"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Dracut, MA","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=dracut-ma"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Middlesex, NC","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=middlesex-nc"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Garfield, NJ","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=garfield-nj"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Burlington, NJ","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=burlington-nj"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Gibbsboro, NJ","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=gibbsboro-nj"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Forest Hills, NY","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=forest-hills-ny"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Gardners, PA","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=gardners-pa"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Cypress, TX","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=cypress-tx"},{"title":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement In Petersburg, VA","url":"/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=petersburg-va"}]},"repairPricingTableData":{"pricingData":[{"car":"2007|Nissan|Pathfinder|V6-4.0L","labor":9360,"parts":14046,"url":"/cars/0/0","estimate":"$387","partsCost":"$140.46","laborCost":"$246.97","savings":"7%","averageDealerPrice":"$419.96"},{"car":"2014|Jeep|Patriot|L4-2.0L","labor":5760,"parts":24043,"url":"/cars/0/1","estimate":"$392","partsCost":"$240.43","laborCost":"$151.98","savings":"4%","averageDealerPrice":"$412.43"},{"car":"2006|Subaru|Outback|H4-2.5L Turbo","labor":3600,"parts":26857,"url":"/cars/0/0","estimate":"$364","partsCost":"$268.57","laborCost":"$94.99","savings":"3%","averageDealerPrice":"$376.07"},{"car":"2011|Mercedes-Benz|B200|L4-2.0L","labor":7920,"parts":17654,"url":"/cars/0/1","estimate":"$386","partsCost":"$176.54","laborCost":"$208.97","savings":"6%","averageDealerPrice":"$413.04"},{"car":"2009|Mercedes-Benz|E320|V6-3.0L Turbo Diesel","labor":4320,"parts":34289,"url":"/cars/0/0","estimate":"$457","partsCost":"$342.89","laborCost":"$113.98","savings":"3%","averageDealerPrice":"$471.89"},{"car":"2009|Porsche|Boxster|H6-3.4L","labor":3600,"parts":44125,"url":"/cars/0/0","estimate":"$536","partsCost":"$441.25","laborCost":"$94.99","savings":"2%","averageDealerPrice":"$548.75"}],"sidebarTitle":"Need a new Control Arm Assembly?","sidebarBody":"Get your Control Arm Assembly changed by a top-rated mechanic at the convenience of your home or office."},"seoData":{"metaData":{"service":{"itemType":"https://schema.org/Service","metaProps":[{"itemProp":"url","content":"//m.whoreclub.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement/?city=elmont-ny"},{"itemProp":"areaServed","content":"Elmont, NY"},{"itemProp":"serviceType","content":"Mobile Car Repair"}]},"organization":{"itemType":"https://schema.org/Organization","metaProps":[{"itemProp":"name","content":"YourMechanic"},{"itemProp":"legalname","content":"YourMechanic"},{"itemProp":"logo","content":"//m.whoreclub.com/assets/ym-logo-straight.png"},{"itemProp":"telephone","content":"1 (855) 347-2779"},{"itemProp":"url","content":"//m.whoreclub.com"},{"itemProp":"areaServed","content":"Elmont, NY"},{"itemProp":"address","content":"Elmont, NY"}]}}},"bookEngineState":{"quote":{"jobs":[{"id":159,"description":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement","choices":[false,false,false,false,false,false,false,false]}]}},"serviceMerchandiserUI":{"heading":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement at your home or office in Elmont.","isDiagnosticJob":false,"costRangeMin":13930,"costRangeMax":104493,"serviceRating":4.9,"totalRatings":1060,"benefits":[{"title":"Online Booking"},{"title":"Mechanic comes to you"},{"title":"12-month / 12k-mile warranty"},{"title":"Free 50 point safety inspection"}],"notFixedOnMobile":false,"jobTitle":"Control Arm Assembly Replacement","cityName":"Elmont","seoFriendlyHeading":"","seoFriendlyTitle":"","ctaTextTitle":"","navBarCities":[{"id":9232,"name":"Greenville","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/greenville-sc","city_state":"Greenville, SC"},{"id":25324,"name":"Pasadena","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/pasadena-tx","city_state":"Pasadena, TX"},{"id":10263,"name":"Orlando","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/orlando-fl","city_state":"Orlando, FL"},{"id":8635,"name":"Charlotte","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/charlotte-nc","city_state":"Charlotte, NC"},{"id":19657,"name":"Chicago","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/chicago-il","city_state":"Chicago, IL"},{"id":25545,"name":"San Antonio","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/san-antonio-tx","city_state":"San Antonio, TX"},{"id":24056,"name":"Austin","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/austin-tx","city_state":"Austin, TX"},{"id":9514,"name":"Atlanta","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/atlanta-ga","city_state":"Atlanta, GA"},{"id":10370,"name":"Tampa","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/tampa-fl","city_state":"Tampa, FL"},{"id":6106,"name":"Washington","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/washington-dc","city_state":"Washington, DC"},{"id":27890,"name":"Los Angeles","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/los-angeles-ca","city_state":"Los Angeles, CA"},{"id":27167,"name":"Phoenix","featured_on_homepage":true,"featured_on_navbar":true,"url":"city/phoenix-az","city_state":"Phoenix, AZ"}]}}" data-trace="true" style="display: none">
