{"id":20450,"date":"2021-01-13T23:57:32","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T07:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=20450"},"modified":"2026-02-10T16:57:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T00:57:53","slug":"what-happens-if-the-control-arm-breaks-while-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-the-control-arm-breaks-while-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens if the Control Arm Breaks While Driving"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column20450_f5511f-06 inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-ac9c0d  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-79d421\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20450_189677-ee, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20450_189677-ee[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading20450_189677-ee\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20450_189677-ee mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20450_189677-ee[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading20450_189677-ee\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20450_189677-ee img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20450_189677-ee[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading20450_189677-ee\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading20450_189677-ee summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading20450_189677-ee\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The probability of a control arm breaking while driving is extremely low. Severe cases, such as getting involved in a collision, will usually cause the control arm to bend but not break in half.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bad control arm symptoms include irregular or uneven tire wear, banging or clunking noises, and problems like unresponsive steering and shimmy in the steering wheel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At CarParts.com, aftermarket control arms can cost anywhere from $2 to $3,200.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>For a vehicle to have stable steering and good handling, its tires need to have good contact with the road. This is made possible by the suspension system, which is also designed to evenly support the vehicle and reduce shocks from road bumps. It also helps make rides more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the suspension system, control arms help the wheels safely follow the contours of the road. For more technical information, you can read our advanced discussion about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-the-control-arm-breaks-while-driving\/#A_Lesson_On_Control_Arms_and_Suspension\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"how control arms work\">how control arms work<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Otherwise, continue reading the next section if you want to know what could happen if control arms break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving With Broken Control Arms: What Can Happen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-suspension-system-shows-control-arm-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"car suspension system shows control arm\" class=\"wp-image-42041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-suspension-system-shows-control-arm-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-suspension-system-shows-control-arm-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-suspension-system-shows-control-arm-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-suspension-system-shows-control-arm-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-suspension-system-shows-control-arm-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-suspension-system-shows-control-arm.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Any time you notice sudden changes in the way your car handles or drives, have it checked.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Having damaged control arms and worn bushings or ball joints could cause suspension parts to become misaligned. When this occurs, you may experience issues with <strong>steering and handling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Usually you&rsquo;ll notice noises first, either <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/popping-noise-when-turning-common-causes-diagnosis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"while turning\">while turning<\/a>, stopping or driving over speed bumps. As for &ldquo;<em>broken control arms<\/em>,&rdquo; the arms themselves <strong>almost never break<\/strong>, but they can be bent by direct impact with heavy road debris or, if you&rsquo;re driving where you shouldn&rsquo;t, you could ram one of your lower control arms against a boulder, a metal pipe, or a short tree stump you didn&rsquo;t notice while driving through a field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An impact that will damage one of your control arms won&rsquo;t go unnoticed. If a vehicle rams your wheel from the side, it usually bends a lower control arm, but you&rsquo;ll probably notice that as it happens as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any time you notice sudden changes in the way your car handles or drives, have it checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, where the bushings are concerned, they&rsquo;re designed so that even if all the rubber is gone, the control arm will still move the way it should and remain in place, even though it may make all manner of alarming noises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Actually, you&rsquo;re more likely to have a ball joint break than a control arm<\/strong>, and the consequences of that can be very serious &ndash; and it can happen without warning, so you need to make sure you have your front end parts checked regularly by a shop you trust. If the ball joint and tie rod boots are intact and there is no play in the ball joints or tie rod ends, you probably don&rsquo;t need these parts replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to check out your own car's suspension system\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FOk0tkGEWmA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you get a large estimate from a shop for front end work, make sure to get second and\/or third opinions from other shops without mentioning the previous shop&rsquo;s recommendations. It&rsquo;s extremely important to have a good rapport with a local shop that has a good reputation for not selling people stuff they don&rsquo;t need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes a Control Arm to Break?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, bushings and ball joints can wear out due to friction, heat, and stress from various loads and movement. They can also degrade from exposure to corrosive or abrasive elements such as road salt, mud, and automotive fluids. The rubber boots are in place to keep these elements out, and if the boots have burst, joint wear accelerates exponentially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Harsh conditions, like driving on rough terrain, can accelerate the wear and tear of control arm bushings and ball joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bad Control Arm Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving with worn or damaged control arms may lead to safety issues, so it&rsquo;s best to make sure that control arms remain in good condition. Some signs that a control arm or its bushings and ball joints are starting to fail are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strange Sounds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When the bushings or ball joints have become worn out, the control arms may make clunking or banging noises when driving over bumps, or when accelerating or braking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Check if a Ball Joint is Bad\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/62bVn7E8gyk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steering Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The misalignment of suspension components due to bad control arms can result in pulling or veering towards one side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This issue becomes more apparent when driving over bumps or through rough and uneven terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Failing control arm bushings and ball joints may not be able to hold the steering knuckles firmly, causing the steering wheel to shimmy or steering to feel unresponsive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Irregular Tire Wear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to causing steering issues, bad control arms can also throw the suspension system out of alignment, leading to irregular tire wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Control Arm Replacement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Replacing a control arm can be tricky, particularly if the vehicle&rsquo;s suspension is already rusted or corroded. Steps like separating the ball joint from the control arm will also be challenging for someone who&rsquo;s never done it before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"679\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/control-arm-replacement-in-focus-1024x679.jpg\" alt=\"control arm replacement in focus\" class=\"wp-image-42042\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/control-arm-replacement-in-focus-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/control-arm-replacement-in-focus-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/control-arm-replacement-in-focus-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/control-arm-replacement-in-focus-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/control-arm-replacement-in-focus.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>If you&rsquo;re unsure about how to proceed, it&rsquo;s best to have your control arm replaced by a professional.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You may find it simple to replace a front lower control arm on a vehicle with a MacPherson strut suspension. But if you&rsquo;ve got a torsion bar suspension, you&rsquo;ll need a lot of mechanical knowledge in order to complete this job. Check out this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-front-lower-control-arm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"article on how to replace control arms\">article on how to replace control arms<\/a> for a detailed step-by-step guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also check out these videos to get an idea how to replace your control arms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to replace the Upper Control Arms 2009-2018 Dodge RAM 1500 &#128663;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jFVHIR6qiAk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to replace the Upper Control Arms 2009-2014 Ford F150 &#128663;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xwNG_CiZgKg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to replace the Lower Control Arms 2009-2014 Ford F150 &#128663;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qh_gQNwz-84?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to replace the Lower Control Arms 2009-2018 Dodge RAM 1500  &#128663;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/L6OF8Luw948?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re unsure about how to proceed, it&rsquo;s best to have your control arm replaced by a professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Control Arm Replacement Cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of replacing your vehicle&rsquo;s control arms will depend on several factors, including your vehicle&rsquo;s make, model, and year, and the type, design, and material of the control arms. If you aren&rsquo;t planning on replacing it yourself, expect to pay for labor as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At CarParts.com, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/control-arm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"aftermarket control arms\">aftermarket control arms<\/a> can cost anywhere from $2.30 to $3,176. They can be purchased individually or in sets. Meanwhile, replacement parts by original equipment manufacturers are typically only available at dealerships and can cost around 60 percent more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re planning a do-it-yourself control arm replacement project, you&rsquo;ll only need to spend on the replacement parts, related hardware, and any tools that you don&rsquo;t have on hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rsi-card\">\n  <div class=\"rsi-thumb\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/d_noimage.jpg\/b_white\/e_sharpen,e_auto_brightness,e_auto_contrast\/f_auto\/q_auto:eco,dpr_auto\/w_873,h_873,c_pad\/images\/set-repc281511-4_1\">\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"rsi-info\">\n    <span class=\"rsi-title\">Best Brands for Control Arms<\/span>\n    <span class=\"rsi-desc\">See which brands carry the best control arms. Compare material, weigh pros and cons, check for warranty coverage, and select control arms that work best for you.<\/span>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/best-brands-for-control-arms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Discover Your Options\">Discover Your Options<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Make sure that the new parts have an exact fit and that you carefully follow the vehicle-specific part repair instructions. Failing to obtain a compatible part and not doing the replacement correctly could result in further expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, remember to take your vehicle in for a wheel alignment after replacing the control arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Should you decide to go to a professional to have your control arms replaced, expect to shell out anywhere from around $500 to more than $1000. Repairs can cost even more for high-end vehicles, depending on which automotive repair services shop you visit. In some cases, the shop might already include the replacement parts in its initial costing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Lesson On Control Arms and Suspension<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what&rsquo;s a &ldquo;<strong>control arm<\/strong>&rdquo; anyway? On many modern vehicles, control arms can be on the front suspension and the rear as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But most people think of the front suspension when control arms are mentioned. The front wheel is bolted to a hub that spins on bearings supported by a spindle that is part of the steering knuckle. The number and configuration of control arms depends on the type of suspension the vehicle has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Front suspension how it work and Lower control arm function\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0e89R8JG8ik?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The steering knuckle is attached on older vehicles to <strong>ball joints<\/strong> usually either riveted onto or pressed into the outer ends of upper and lower control arms. The lower control arm is sometimes referred to as a &ldquo;trailing arm.&rdquo;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both control arms on older suspension systems are triangular in shape with two of the three points of the triangle attached to the frame by way of bushings so that each control arm performs sort of like a heavily designed hinge, with two inner bushings, and the side of the control arm nearest the wheel has the ball joint to which the steering knuckle is attached. The control arms always move up and down together since they&rsquo;re joined to the steering knuckle by the ball joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On these older suspension designs, the upper control arm is shorter than the lower control arm, and one of the control arms (it can be the upper or the lower arm)&nbsp; will be supported by a spring, with the other end of the spring attached solidly to an anchor gusset that is welded to the vehicle frame. This is called <strong>&ldquo;Short-Long-Arm&rdquo; (SLA) suspension<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"ai-summary-widget\">\n\n        <div class=\"ai-summary-grid\">\n\n            <div>\n                <div class=\"ai-avatar\">\n                    <figure>\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/q_auto,dpr_auto,f_auto\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/ai-summary\/ai-bot\" alt=\"AI robot\">\n                    <\/figure>\n                    <span>ELI5<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div>\n                <p>The control arm is a very important part of the car's suspension system. It's also called the A-arm or wishbone. The control arm connects the vehicle's chassis to the wheel assembly. It lets the wheel bounce up and down as the tire rolls over the ground. At the same time, it also keeps the wheel at the right position on the road. Control arms help smooth out shocks and vibrations. They also keep the car stable when it turns around a corner, preventing the vehicle from falling on its side. Finally, they help bear the car's weight.<\/p>    \n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"ai-summary-tooltip\">   \n            <p>Not everyone is an auto repair expert. <strong>ELI5 (&ldquo;Explain Like I&rsquo;m Five&rdquo;)<\/strong> provides layperson-friendly explanations of complex automotive concepts, systems, &amp; parts, so you can fully understand their importance. Great for casual car owners and DIY beginners! Powered by AI.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steering Axis, Caster Angle, and More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drawing an imaginary line through the center of each ball joint on a particular wheel (as seen from the front) is the <strong>Steering Axis<\/strong> &ndash; that&rsquo;s the axis on which the knuckle (and the wheel) rotates from left to right&nbsp; as the vehicle is being steered by the driver. The measured angle of the Steering Axis is known as &ldquo;<strong>Steering Axis Inclination<\/strong>&rdquo; (SAI), which is always angled in at the top for stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Understanding Steering Axis Inclination\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IZLiP_37Oso?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Seen from the side, this same steering axis is regarded as the <strong>caster angle<\/strong> &ndash; if the lower ball joint is farther <strong>forward<\/strong> than the upper ball joint (<em>which it always is unless there&rsquo;s a problem<\/em>), then the caster is regarded as POSITIVE. Caster is usually an adjustable angle &ndash; Steering Axis Inclination is NOT an adjustable angle. <em>You cannot measure these angles without special equipment<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The steering knuckle has an integral lever or arm that is connected to the steering gear with a ball-and-socket joint that is smaller and lighter than the ball joints so that turning the steering wheel changes the angle of both front wheels simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On strut suspension, there is usually (not always) just a lower control arm and one lower ball joint on either side, with no upper ball joint. The upper part of the steering knuckle on these is attached to the strut, which carries the weight of the vehicle very high in the car body, making the vehicle more stable; the steering axis passes through the center of the strut (shock and spring in one assembly), which has a bearing at the top enabling the strut to carry the weight of the vehicle as the steering wheel turns the strut and knuckle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many of these strut suspension systems don&rsquo;t have triangular control arms, so they require an additional brace to stabilize the control arm. This brace can either lead forward or to the rear, but is always attached to the frame on one end and the lower control arm on the other &ndash; and is frequently called radius arm or a strut rod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"3 Link vs 4 Link vs Radius Arm vs Watts Link vs Wishbone 3 Link\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HwvgRcDY7Qg?start=51&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Honda sedans (and some others) are an exception to this rule &ndash; they have strut suspension, but they have upper and lower control arms and two ball joints on each side, with the strut assembly attached to the lower control arm rather than the steering knuckle. On this type of suspension, the steering axis passes through the ball joints rather than through the center of the strut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shock absorbers dampen vehicle bouncing as the suspension is working. If you start bouncing your vehicle with your hands on the fender and then stop, if the vehicle bounces more than twice, it needs shock absorbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shop for a High-Quality Control Arm at Low Prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shopping for an OE-grade control arm has never been this easy with <a href=\"http:\/\/carparts.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"CarParts.com\">CarParts.com<\/a>. Simply enter your vehicle&rsquo;s year, make, and model into our vehicle selector to start browsing compatible control arms for your daily driver. You can also use the search filters to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/control-arm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"find control arms\">find control arms<\/a> according to your preferred brand, price range, quantity, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Never worry about quality when you shop from us. Here at CarParts.com, we make sure to give drivers like you only the best parts for your ride. Carefully handpicked by industry professionals, our products passed stringent testing procedures to ensure maximum durability and dependability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&rsquo;s no need to go over budget when shopping from our catalog. All our parts and accessories come with a low-price and lifetime replacement guarantee, helping you get the best value for your money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shop now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Products Mentioned in this Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"reusable-productlink\">\n\n<!-- start of editable content -->\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/control-arm\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"control arm\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/d_noimage.jpg,h_200,w_200,c_pad,f_auto,q_auto,dpr_auto,e_sharpen\/images\/rl28150007_1\">\n<strong>Control Arm<\/strong>\n<\/a>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/steering-knuckle\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"steering knuckle\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/d_noimage.jpg,h_200,w_200,c_pad,f_auto,q_auto,dpr_auto,e_sharpen\/images\/rf28080002_1\">\n<strong>Steering Knuckle<\/strong>\n<\/a>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/control-arm-bushing\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"control arm bushing\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/d_noimage.jpg,h_200,w_200,c_pad,f_auto,q_auto,dpr_auto,e_sharpen\/images\/rf50510004_1\">\n<strong>Control Arm Bushing<\/strong>\n<\/a>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/ball-joint\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ball joint\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/d_noimage.jpg,h_200,w_200,c_pad,f_auto,q_auto,dpr_auto,e_sharpen\/images\/set-repj282301-2_1\">\n<strong>Ball Joint<\/strong>\n<\/a>\n\n<!-- end of editable content -->\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"shop-project\">\n\n    <h2>Shop this Project<\/h2>\n\n    <ul class=\"shop-project-list\">\n        \n        <li>\n            <div class=\"shop-project-item\">\n                <div class=\"stp-image-url\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/control-arm\/truedrive\/rs28150008\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label='&lt;img src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/rs28150008_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front, Driver Side, Lower Control Arm, With Ball Joint Assembly, All Wheel Drive\" \/&gt;'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/rs28150008_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front, Driver Side, Lower Control Arm, With Ball Joint Assembly, All Wheel Drive\"><\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"stp-desc\">\n                                            <p class=\"stp-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/control-arm\/truedrive\/rs28150008\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front, Driver Side, Lower Control Arm, With Ball Joint Assembly, All Wheel Drive\">TrueDrive &ndash; Front, Driver Side, Lower Control Arm, With Ball Joint Assembly, All Wheel Drive<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"stp-stars\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/q_auto,dpr_auto,f_auto\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/shop-project\/stars\/star-4.5.svg\" alt=\"4.5 Stars\">\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-price\">$48.99<\/p>\n                    \n                    <p><small>Price and rating may change from the time content is published.<\/small><\/p>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-cta\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/control-arm\/truedrive\/rs28150008\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Shop Now\">Shop Now<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n        \n        <li>\n            <div class=\"shop-project-item\">\n                <div class=\"stp-image-url\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/ball-joint\/truedrive\/repn282321\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label='&lt;img src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/repn282321_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front, Driver or Passenger Side, Lower, Frontward Ball Joint\" \/&gt;'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/repn282321_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front, Driver or Passenger Side, Lower, Frontward Ball Joint\"><\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"stp-desc\">\n                                            <p class=\"stp-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/ball-joint\/truedrive\/repn282321\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front, Driver or Passenger Side, Lower, Frontward Ball Joint\">TrueDrive &ndash; Front, Driver or Passenger Side, Lower, Frontward Ball Joint<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"stp-stars\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/q_auto,dpr_auto,f_auto\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/shop-project\/stars\/star-4.5.svg\" alt=\"4.5 Stars\">\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-price\">$12.99<\/p>\n                    \n                    <p><small>Price and rating may change from the time content is published.<\/small><\/p>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-cta\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/ball-joint\/truedrive\/repn282321\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Shop Now\">Shop Now<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n        \n        <li>\n            <div class=\"shop-project-item\">\n                <div class=\"stp-image-url\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repg280504-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label='&lt;img src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/set-repg280504-4_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Shocks and Loaded Struts &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side\" \/&gt;'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/set-repg280504-4_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Shocks and Loaded Struts &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side\"><\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"stp-desc\">\n                                            <p class=\"stp-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repg280504-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Shocks and Loaded Struts &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side\">TrueDrive &ndash; Shocks and Loaded Struts &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"stp-stars\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/q_auto,dpr_auto,f_auto\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/shop-project\/stars\/star-4.5.svg\" alt=\"4.5 Stars\">\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-price\">$209.99<\/p>\n                    \n                    <p><small>Price and rating may change from the time content is published.<\/small><\/p>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-cta\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repg280504-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Shop Now\">Shop Now<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>For a vehicle to have stable steering and good handling, its tires need to have good contact with the road&#8230;. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-the-control-arm-breaks-while-driving\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":42043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3755],"tags":[993],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-20450","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"category-suspension","9":"tag-control-arm","10":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Happens if the Control Arm Breaks While Driving - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Control arms help the wheels safely follow the contours of the road. Read on to learn more about bad control arm symptoms.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-the-control-arm-breaks-while-driving\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Happens if the Control Arm Breaks While Driving - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Control arms help the wheels safely follow the contours of the road. Read on to learn more about bad control arm symptoms.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-the-control-arm-breaks-while-driving\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-01-14T07:57:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-11T00:57:53+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Car-Suspension-System-With-Control-Arm-closeup-look.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1700\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1133\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team, Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/what-happens-if-the-control-arm-breaks-while-driving\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/what-happens-if-the-control-arm-breaks-while-driving\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"1651\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. 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