How To Diagnose Failing Suspension Control Arms: Common Control Arm Problems
Control arms are a major component of your Toyota's suspension system. A failing control arm can be a safety hazard, leading to loss of vehicle control. Many suspension and steering components are affixed to the control arms, including ball joints, steering knuckles, and sway bar links. The longevity of your control arms depends on factors like mileage, age, and operating conditions. We’ll show you how to recognize the symptoms of a control arm failure to avoid safety hazards and prevent even more costly repairs.
Unusual Noises
The first indication of control arm failure is often a rattling or clunking noise from the front of the vehicle. The noise may grow louder over bumps or rougher roads, indicating an imminent failure. The main failure points of a control arm are usually the ball joint mount or the mounting bushings. Control arm bushings and ball joints can sometimes be serviced separately depending on the vehicle. Over time, corrosion may compromise a control arm at critical points, such as where the ball joint or other components mount.
Excessive Vibrations
Excessive play in a control arm from a worn ball joint, bushings, or other attached suspension components can transmit vibrations you can feel inside the vehicle and through the steering wheel. Vibration is a sign that the problem is becoming urgent. The wear or damage to the control arm or its components is likely progressing to the point of failure. It’s critical to investigate and repair vibrations before they become a big problem.
Tire Wear
Any failure related to the control arm that allows the wheels to rotate off-axis can result in excessive and uneven tire wear. A ball joint connects the steering knuckle to the control arm, allowing the steering to pivot. The steering knuckle houses the bearing hub that attaches the wheel to the vehicle. Any wear related to the control arm bushings or ball joint can allow the steering knuckle to shift and vibrate. This movement prevents the tire from contacting the road evenly, leading to rapid tire wear. More specifically:
- Inner tread wear means you likely have issues with the lower control arm.
- Outer tread wear means you've got problems with an upper control arm.
Steering Issues
Control arm failure also affects vehicle steering and handling. Having too much play in suspension and steering components can lead to loose and less responsive steering. By the time control arm-related issues affect steering and handling, a part is likely near the point of critical failure. If a ball joint separates from a control arm or the control arm separates from the vehicle, loss of vehicle control is likely!
Diagnosing A Worn Control Arm
Placing your Toyota on a lift is the best way to inspect your suspension control arms. It’s essential that the car is off the ground and the suspension and wheels hang freely. Grab the wheels and check for excessive movement up and down or side-to-side. Remove the wheels for better access and thoroughly inspect the suspension components. Use a pry bar to apply pressure between the steering knuckle or frame and the control arm while observing for excessive movement.
OEM Toyota Control Arms From Olathe Toyota Parts Center
We have a large selection of high-quality, durable OEM control arms to fit your specific Toyota vehicle. OEM control arms will:
- Preserve OEM Suspension Geometry, Maximizing Performance On and Off-The-Road
- Be Made From Machine Forged Aluminum For Incredible Strength
- Offer a Lightweight Design to Deliver a Smoother Ride
- For TRD Parts: Upgraded TRD Ball Joint Increases Durability
- TRD Control Arms are the Same Upper/Lower Control Arms As Found In The TRD Pro Package
We even carry rugged Toyota TRD parts if you're looking for an upgrade. You can order Billet left upper and right upper control arms for serious Toyota Tacoma off-roading with just a few clicks. We back all OEM parts with the standard Toyota 12-month, unlimited miles warranty and we:
- Have a large selection of parts and accessories for your Toyota vehicle.
- Are centrally located in Kansas City, we provide fast shipping to the east and west coasts.
- Back all our OEM parts with Toyota's 12-month, unlimited miles warranty
Do you have questions? We’re here to help. Please feel free to contact us today.