Under What Circumstances Should the Lower Control Arm Be Replaced?
2 Answers
The following are the situations where the lower control arm needs to be replaced: 1. If the car has been involved in a collision, causing the lower control arm to deform or develop cracks, it needs to be replaced. 2. If you experience steering wobbling, uneven steering resistance on the left and right sides, the car pulling to one side when braking, or excessive movement of the control arm when driving over bumps, the lower control arm should also be replaced. Additional Information: 1. The main function of the lower control arm is to support the vehicle body and shock absorbers, as well as to buffer vibrations during driving. The shock absorber plays a significant auxiliary role in the lower suspension. The lower control arm, shock absorber, and spring must work in harmony to form an excellent suspension system. During use, it is important to avoid scraping the chassis. When driving over uneven roads, slow down to prevent scraping the chassis, which could lead to cracks in the control arm. Damage to the control arm can cause steering wobbling or the car to pull to one side. 2. The service life of control arms varies depending on the material. It is essential to replace them according to the vehicle's maintenance manual and the recommendations of the 4S shop. After replacing the control arm, a wheel alignment should be performed to prevent the car from pulling to one side or uneven tire wear.
I've been driving for over a decade and have encountered lower control arm issues several times. That time on the highway, I felt severe steering wheel vibration and couldn't accelerate properly. After stopping to inspect, I noticed uneven wear on the inner side of the tire. At the repair shop, the mechanic jacked up the car, shook the wheel and found play, saying all the lower control arm bushings were either completely worn out or cracked. If not replaced, the wheel would become unstable, prone to skidding and losing control during turns, or even risking complete suspension failure - extremely dangerous. Normally, lower control arms last about 100,000 km, but aggressive driving habits like frequently hitting potholes/bumpy roads, or vehicle age/rust/corrosion can cause premature failure. I recommend having technicians inspect them during routine maintenance - don't skimp on safety. Replacement typically costs a few hundred yuan - a small price to prevent major incidents.
