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Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Control Arm
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Problems You May Face with Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Control Arm
Control arms are essentially what hold the wheels to the body frame of your Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup. The control arm is a very important component of your vehicle's suspension system, because it allows you to maintain control while driving. Although control arms are built very, very tough, they are still not safe from wear and tear, what with all the heat, dirt, and pressure they face in every time you drive. If they are worn, you will have serious issues on steering and control. Below are some of the most common problems you may face with a Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup control arm:
Vibration in the steering
Take a test drive out on the freeway and observe the vibrations in the steering. If increasing your speed to 45 to 60 miles per hour makes the vibration more apparent, then you may have torn or bent control arms.Shakes when applying the brakes
Another sign to know if your Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup control arm is worn is by observing shakes in your steering wheel while stepping on the brake pedal. When this happens, your car's control arm itself is most probably worn or bent, or it may also be caused by worn control arm bushings. Check the parts to know for sure. If the bushings are worn, flaking, cracking, or advanced deterioration are the surest ways to identify them.
Excessively moving wheel
Jack up the front end of the car, and place both hands on two sides of a tire and try moving the wheel. If it easily shifts along with the suspension, you may have bad control arms or control arm bushings. Check both parts to know for sure.
Abnormal tire wear
The control arm is a critical suspension component because it keeps your Dodge straight up and your wheels evenly balanced while you move up or down or over a bump. But if it is already worn, it will cause abnormal and uneven tire wear.
Cannot keep to a straight line
If you are cruising on a straight path and notice that your steering feels a bit loose and inexact, it can be attributed to bad control arm bushings. Remove the front wheels and inspect the bushings for wear. The performance of the control arms highly depends on the bushings, so if they are worn, replacing them should be done immediately to avoid further problems.
