Back to all

Keeping Yourself in Suspension (Control Arm Assembly Replacement)

February 2, 2025

When you are pointing your vehicle straight down the street, it should go straight.  That’s pretty straightforward, right? Sometimes, though, you may notice you have to keep adjusting the steering wheel to keep going straight.  While that could be caused by many different issues, one possibility is that you have a failing or bent control arm.

Another sign is that when you brake, your vehicle pulls to one side or the other.  Sometimes your suspension may sound noisy, especially when you’re traveling on rough surfaces.  A damaged control arm may also make it almost impossible for you to get a good wheel alignment. 

The control arms are part of your suspension, and some vehicles have upper control arms and lower control arms.  Not all have the same number of control arms, but one thing is important: If you have worn bushings on your control arms or a worn-out ball joint, the control arm on the other side should also be replaced.  The rubber bushings are susceptible to damage from age and exposure to the elements, and ball joints usually shouldn’t be replaced separately. 

Any time you have a suspension issue, it’s important that a technician inspects the other parts of your suspension as well.  If one part of it is showing its age, it’s not unusual for other components to show similar wear.  

One other thing.  If you’ve had one of your control arms bent or damaged in an accident, you must have it replaced.  Your suspension is an important part of your vehicle’s safety and handling, so you should keep it in good operating condition.  After all, your life is riding on it, literally.   

Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin
395 S. Randall Rd
Elgin, Illinois 60123
847-717-4682

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Tuffy Elgin

That Squeal is Telling You Something (What Causes Squealing While Steering)

July 6, 2025

If you hear a squealing noise when you turn your vehicle, it's trying to tell you something is wrong. After all, it never made that noise before, right? The sound you hear may becoming from a few sources. Let's take a look (or a listen) to some of the possibilities. First, you almost certainl... More

Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin Service Tip: Why Synthetic Oil Is Good For Your Vehicles

June 29, 2025

Hello Illinois! Today's vehicle care topic is: Synthetic Oil vs. Petroleum Based Oil. Synthetic motor oil is a substitute for petroleum based oil. If you aren't currently using it, why not? Synthetic motor oil maximizes engine power and fuel economy. To see why, we'd need a microscope, so we'll ... More

Steer Me Right! (Failing Power Steering Hose)

June 22, 2025

Most drivers love how easy it is to turn their vehicles, and they have power steering to thank. Engineers have figured out a way to take some of your engine's power to help you turn. Without it, steering can be quite a chore. New power systems are electric, but there are still plenty of the old... More