Nissan Control Arm

The control arm is that part of the suspension system that forms the letter A. Your Nissan car has several of which, and the main purpose is to connect the top and bottom parts of the wheel spindles so that changing directions can be done without a fuss. Apart from providing support to the wheels, the Nissan control arm also makes your ride smoother. And since this part commonly endures whatever weight is loaded onto the vehicle, it is likely to suffer from wear and tear. It is high time you inspect the control arm once you hear some clunking or popping noise as you go over bumps, or even as you accelerate or slow down. If such is the case, here is a comprehensive guide to help you inspect and fix your Nissan's defective control arm.

 

Difficulty level: Moderate

 

Things you'll need:

 

• Ball joint separator and press
• Ball peen hammer
• Pry bar
• Torque wrench
• Tire iron or breaker bar
• Jack

 

Step 1: Securely park your vehicle on flat surface and ensure the parking brake is on. Loosen all lug nuts on the wheels with a tire iron or breaker bar. Just loosen but don't remove yet. Then, lift the vehicle using a floor jack, making sure all sides are secured by the jack stands in place.

 

Step 2: Once all jack stands are securely in place, it is time you remove all lug nuts and the four wheels. As soon as you have removed the cotton pins and pinch bolts, detach the ball joint from its knuckle using the ball joint separator. By this time, removing the Nissan control arm mounting bolts and the control arm itself would be easy.

 

Step 3: Inspect the condition of the control arm. Does it appear bent? If so, do you recall any instance when either the front or rear wheels collided on something solid with such great impact? Look at the ball point. Is it permanently pressed into the entirety of the control arm? This could be the cause of the thumping noise as well as sloppy steering. You may use the torque wrench to put it back in place. How about the bushings? Does it appear corroded, worn out or dislocated? If dislocated, you can fix its position so that it allows the wheel to smoothly move up and down as the vehicle goes over bumps and dips on the road. You may likewise lubricate said part to make sure it functions smoothly.

 

Step 4: Make crucial decisions. Not all control arm problems can be quickly fixed. There may be cases of worn-out and bent control arms that could go beyond repair. If replacement is essential, don't hesitate to do so. You can always consult a professional Nissan mechanic and shop for affordable but reliable replacement parts.

 

Step 5: Depending on the actual condition of the control arm, make sure you put everything back in place to avoid causing untoward incident whether to yourself or to other people.

 

Whether you simply need to inspect or apply some quick fix on your Nissan control arm, you need to be knowledgeable and at the same time patient when taking on the task. Replacement needs should also be addressed accordingly to avoid compromising driving safety.

• Nissan is known for creating innovative and reliable vehicles like the Nissan Titan and Rogue.
• In the United States, Nissan has three manufacturing facilities that produce vehicles and car parts.
• OEM and OE Replacement control arms are similar in terms of quality. But when it comes to pricing and availability, aftermarket parts offer better options.
• If you rely on your vehicle for daily commute and want to fix it immediately, aftermarket control arms are ideal since they can be easily acquired.
• An aftermarket Nissan control arm can cost you anywhere between $10 and $480.

Nissan has, time and again, captured the attention of the American market by creating innovative and reliable vehicles. From its trucks like the Nissan Titan to its compact SUVs like the Nissan Rogue, the automaker’s technological innovation has always been front and center.

Despite being well-equipped with various technological features, Nissan vehicles still need proper car maintenance and repairs to ensure its good running condition. One component that needs to be replaced when it’s faulty is the Nissan control arm.

Nissan has three manufacturing plants in the United States. Two of those, which are located in Tennessee and Mississippi, are used for producing various Nissan models like the Altima, Maxima, Rogue Pathfinder, and LEAF as well as NV cargo and passenger vans. The other manufacturing plant located in Decherd, Tennessee is for producing car parts for Nissan vehicles that are made and sold in America. Components like engines, crankshafts, and cylinder block castings are made here.

Whether you choose OEM or aftermarket, there’s no need to worry about the quality of your Nissan control arms. Both types of control arms are made from durable materials that guarantee that they can withstand the daily wear and tear that comes with frequent use. They are also precision-engineered to match the specifications of your vehicle. That’s why OEM and aftermarket control arms are ideal replacements for your worn-out suspension parts.

There are differences between OEM and aftermarket Nissan components. The main one is that they have different manufacturers. If OEM control arms are made by Nissan and their suppliers, aftermarket parts are manufactured by other brands that use their own design and technology in producing various car components and accessories.

If you rely on your vehicle for daily commute and running errands, the ideal control arms that you should get are aftermarket ones. Aftermarket Nissan control arms can be purchased and acquired in a short amount of time. This will allow you to fix your car and get back on the road immediately.

Aftermarket parts and accessories are built to last and can even exceed the durability of your factory-installed components. But if you are still hesitant in purchasing them, you can further protect yourself by getting replacement control arms that come with a product warranty.

Purchasing an aftermarket Nissan control arm can cost you anywhere between $10 and $480. You can get it as a single part or in sets of various quantities. You may also choose to buy a unit that is backed by a one-year unlimited-mileage warranty.

You can easily find the replacement part you need on CarParts.com by using our vehicle selector. If you need a Nissan Titan control arm or Nissan Altima control arm, make sure to provide the correct vehicle information during your search. This is to guarantee that the results will show only the parts that are compatible with your ride.

Here's a short but informative guide on fixing your Nissan control arm if you're doing it yourself.

Difficulty level: Moderate

Things you'll need:

 

• Ball joint separator and press
• Ball peen hammer
• Pry bar
• Torque wrench
• Tire iron or breaker bar
• Jack

 

Step 1: Securely park your vehicle on flat surface and ensure the parking brake is on. Loosen all lug nuts on the wheels with a tire iron or breaker bar. Just loosen but don't remove yet. Then, lift the vehicle using a floor jack, making sure all sides are secured by the jack stands in place.

Step 2: Once all jack stands are securely in place, it is time you remove all lug nuts and the four wheels. As soon as you have removed the cotton pins and pinch bolts, detach the ball joint from its knuckle using the ball joint separator. By this time, removing the Nissan control arm mounting bolts and the control arm itself would be easy.

Step 3: Inspect the condition of the control arm. Does it appear bent? If so, do you recall any instance when either the front or rear wheels collided on something solid with such great impact? Look at the ball point. Is it permanently pressed into the entirety of the control arm? This could be the cause of the thumping noise as well as sloppy steering. You may use the torque wrench to put it back in place. How about the bushings? Does it appear corroded, worn out or dislocated? If dislocated, you can fix its position so that it allows the wheel to smoothly move up and down as the vehicle goes over bumps and dips on the road. You may likewise lubricate said part to make sure it functions smoothly.

Step 4: Make crucial decisions. Not all control arm problems can be quickly fixed. There may be cases of worn-out and bent control arms that could go beyond repair. If replacement is essential, don't hesitate to do so. You can always consult a professional Nissan mechanic and shop for affordable but reliable replacement parts.

Step 5: Depending on the actual condition of the control arm, make sure you put everything back in place to avoid causing untoward incident whether to yourself or to other people.

Whether you simply need to inspect or apply some quick fix on your Nissan control arm, you need to be knowledgeable when taking on the task. Replacement needs should also be addressed accordingly to avoid compromising driving safety.