The Top Five Benefits of Upper Control Arms - ELEVATE Suspension

A new set of upper control arms looks great on any vehicle. They are a perfect compliment to a shiny new set of coilovers too. We might be biased, but we think our Element Hard Parts control arms look the best. But our control arms are not built to just pretty up your ride. Sure, they might look sexy, but they do have a functional role and bring some benefits too. What are those benefits? Let’s take a look at what a set of high-quality control arms can do for your ride.

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 Making Gains

Any mass-produced part is going to be a compromise, and OEM upper control arms are no exception. To be efficient, vehicle manufacturers need to build upper control arms quickly. And, to maintain profitability, those arms need to be made cheaply. The result is a stamped upper control arm built out of decent steel with adequate strength.

 Adequate might be okay for the majority of people who only drive on pavement, but not for the rest of us. The vast majority of aftermarket control arms are going to be significantly stronger than stock ones. This big increase in strength comes from better materials and a better design. Aftermarket arms use either tubular Chromoly steel or, as is the case with our Element Hard Parts arms, high-quality billet aluminum. Fabricating a Chromoly steel arm or machining a billet aluminum one are both more durable than the stamping process. And, both use more material to increase strength further. 

 Getting Aligned

One of the most overlooked benefits of aftermarket upper control arms is they allow for proper wheel alignment. With some lifted vehicles it can be difficult (if not impossible) to align them back to factory specs. Aftermarket arms solve this by having a slightly different geometry than the factory ones. They also have more adjustability for alignment built into them. This extra adjustability not only lets you get back to factory specs, but it allows more flexibility when aligning your vehicle too. For example, you can dial in more caster if you want to push larger tires more forward.

 Coil Clearance

Aftermarket coilovers make a massive difference in the performance of your front suspension. Their larger diameter bodies hold more shock fluid for better cooling and have bigger pistons for more damping control. While better cooling and control are both good things, those bigger shock bodies can create clearance issues with the factory control arms. Everything might seem fine until your suspension goes to full droop, and your OEM control arms smash into your expensive new coilovers. That’s going to be a problem and potentially an expensive one. Quality aftermarket control arms remedy this issue by being designed to clear larger coilovers.

 Better Balls And Joints

Uniballs and better ball joints are another serious strength advantage that aftermarket upper control arms offer. The 1-inch FK uniballs we use in our Element Hard Parts control arms are incredibly beefy. They are a massive increase in strength over the factory ball joints and are right at home on trucks racing in the Baja . You won’t have to worry about the uniballs in most aftermarket arms ever failing. They do wear faster than standard ball joints but are much stronger. Some arms feature aftermarket ball joints as well. These high-quality ball joints are not as strong as uniballs, but offer more life and are still stronger than OEM joints.

 Unlocking Wheel Travel

But wait, there's more. Not only are the uniballs and ball joints in aftermarket control arms stronger, but they also have a bigger range of motion than OEM ball joints. This extra amount of movement allows for the suspension to go through its full range of motion without any binding. Aftermarkets arms enable you to get every inch of wheel travel available out of your suspension, especially when using extended travel coilovers.

A car's control arms play a significant role in how it rides and handles. If you've been told you need to replace the control arms on your vehicle, you're aware this is one of the more expensive suspension repairs, but it's an important one. Control arms play a key role in vehicle safety. In addition, control arms that aren't up to par may result in increased wear on your tires and other parts of your vehicle.

Today, let's take a closer look at control arms and the common (or uncommon) questions you may have about these suspension system parts.

1. What Do Control Arms Do?

Front Control Arms: The front control arms connect the front wheels to the car chassis. They're responsible for controlling the up-and-down movement of the wheels. When you hit a bump or a pothole, the front control arms help absorb the shock, creating a smoother ride while keeping your steering in check.

Rear Control Arms: The rear control arms perform the same function as the front control arms, except they are located in the back and connect the rear wheels to the car's frame. Rear control arms keep your rear wheels steady, whether you're driving on a straight road or taking a turn. In addition, they help your car's stability—especially during sudden stops or sharp turns.

Both the front and rear control arms keep the wheels in line, play a part in ride comfort, and help you steer.

2. How Many Control Arms Does My Car Have?

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Modern vehicles tend to have between two to four control arms, depending on the make and model.

3. What are Control Arms Made of?

Control arms are usually made of aluminum or steel.

4. How are Control Arms Connected to My Car?

The control arms are attached to the car via bushings that allow them to move up and down.

5. When Do I Need to Replace My Car's Control Arms?

Often, control arms are replaced when the bushings or ball joints are changed.

6. Why Should I Replace the Control Arms with the Bushings?

Control arm bushings tend to be made of rubber because it is a soft material that's good at reducing road noise and vibrations. However, their rubber construction means the bushings are susceptible to dry rot, tears, and cracks. Bad control arm bushings make noise and have visible wear or damage that indicates it's time to replace them. You may also notice abnormal tire wear or an off-center steering wheel.

Why do motorists replace the control arms at the same time as the bushings? It's because it isn't that much more expensive to replace the entire assembly. Another reason is that it's actually easier to replace the entire assembly, saving you on labor. It makes sense to pay a little more now to have new control arms, bushings, and ball joints vs paying again if another part reaches failure.

7. Can I Replace the Ball Joints and not the Control Arm?

On some vehicles, the ball joints cannot be replaced separately from the control arms. On vehicles where it is possible, the ball joints (whether they are press-in or bolt-in ball joints), require special tools for replacement. This typically involves extra steps vs replacing the entire assembly. A new assembly would include a new control arm, new ball joints, and new bushings. Similar to bushing replacement, it makes sense to do everything at one time vs paying again in the future due to worn bushings or control arms.

8. Should I Replace the Control Arms in Pairs (Why or Why Not)?

Yes. It's recommended that the control arms be replaced in pairs. Why? It's because it would be odd for one control arm, such as the right control arm, to be worn out without the left control arm being at, or near, the same level of wear. Remember: the control arm that is okay has travelled the same distance as the worn one, so it's likely that you'll need to replace it soon regardless. This being the case, it'll cost more time and money to have another control arm replacement service performed in the future vs replacing the pair at the same time.

9. Is the Control Arm the Same as the "A-Arm"?

In the automotive service industry, terminology can vary, and different names might pop up for the same part. A control arm is a good example of this, because it's also known as the "a-arm" to some people. Typically, control arms have a triangular or "A" shape when viewed from the side, hence the nickname. Whether you call it a control arm or the a-arm, it's still the same, crucial suspension component.

Need a suspension repair in EHT? If you're having issues with how your vehicle steers or you notice your commutes are less comfortable than they once were, contact Deltona Discount Tires. We're familiar with suspension problems and how to repair them, especially when these issues have a negative effect on the life of your tires. We repair and replace suspension control arms, as well as perform a variety of other suspension repairs to keep your vehicle driving like it should.

Deltona Discount Tires is proud to serve EHT and surrounding areas, such as Ocean City and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Want more information on control arms on a car? Feel free to contact us.