Should a control arm move freely?

The sleeve will NOT be free to pivot on the bolt. Any control arm movement results in a twisting or flexing of the bushing material. So in other words, there will be resistance felt when trying to move the control arm by hand.

What is the torque for the lower control arm ball joint?

Ball joint torque is 52 ft lbs.

Can a control arm be loose?

When the control arm bushings become too loose or worn, then you will start to hear a clunking sound coming from underneath your car, caused by the bushing getting knocked between the frame and the control arm.

What is the torque spec for ball joints?

Many ball joints may have an initial torque spec as low as 15-30 ft/lbs and torque angles are between 140º and 225º. Never guess or try to use your calibrated elbow; always look up the spec and use a torque wrench. make sure the washers on the studs are in good condition and installed in the right direction.

What is the torque for tie rod ends?

Never loosen to do this.) Outer tie rod jam nut: 25-37 ft-lb. Inner tie rod: 40-50 ft-lb. (Use 20mm open end wrench on flats to backup steering rack as you tighten the tie rod.)

How does a control arm get loose?

Wear and Tear – The lower control arm is put under stress each second you are driving your vehicle. This will eventually lead to the bushing becoming loosened from all the vibrations and roughness of the driving experience.

How do you test a control arm?

Checking the control arm bushings is pretty easy. Place a pry bar on the control arm near the bushing. Then attempt to move the control arm back and forth (you may also want to try moving it downward, depending on the bushing design). Don’t use a lot of force while doing this—be gentle.

How does the control arm affect the front tires?

Since the control arm is connected to the wheels via the outer sleeve, the movement in the control arm can obstruct the wheels so that they have less surface contact with the road than the other side, which leads to uneven wear of the front tires.

What happens when the control arms of a car are worn?

The control arms on a vehicle are very important suspension component, as they are the component that links the spindle, hubs, and therefore wheel to the vehicle’s chassis. When they become worn it can cause problems for the vehicle that may compromise handling, comfort, and safety.

Where is the control arm on a front end suspension?

The control arm is fitted in the front end of the suspension, the part where the front wheels turn. This component is found at the back in some trucks. The control arm bushing is what connects the suspension’s front to the vehicle’s frame.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of control arms?

It has its advantages and disadvantages (we will see about that in a minute). Control arms feature three main parts: bushings and sleeves, main body, and ball joint. Control arm bushings help to reduce friction and vibrations while the control arm ball joint forms the pivot at the steering knuckle or wheel assembly.