The primary function of a car control arm is to connect the hub and knuckle to the frame. Typically, the control arm has a bushing on one side and a ball joint on the other. These parts wear out over time as we drive our vehicles. Can you drive with bad control arm bushings？
Drive with bad control arm bushings is not safe. Because when the control arms or bushings are worn or broken, the steering becomes unpredictable and dangerous for you and other drivers. Even if you keep the steering wheel straight, your vehicle may be driving randomly to one side.
How long can you drive with bad control arm bushings?
Control arm bushing life varies by vehicle type, manufacturer, and driving conditions. Typically, a new set of control arm bushings will last from 40 to 100,000 miles, with a life expectancy of 80,000 miles.
When you consider how long it will last, it is normal to expect the bushing to wear out gradually and slowly. Hitting a pothole, curb, or getting involved in a minor accident can cause bushings to wear unevenly. However, they are durable enough not to fail immediately.
So when looking at how long you can drive with bad control arm bushings, it all depends on how bad it is. You can drive long enough to have the same problem on the other side. On average, you should be able to drive the car between 96km and 128km after the control arm bushing problem.
But we don't recommend you do this unless you are willing to face more severe consequences. Replace your car's control arm bushings as soon as symptoms appear, although your budget may not always allow you.
Also, control arm bushings are best replaced as a set, as it reduces overall labor costs and saves you the time of a second trip.
Control arms (also known as A-arms) are a critical component of the suspension system of a motor vehicle. They control the wheel’s motion so you can enjoy a smooth ride. What happens if control arm breaks while driving? Will continuing driving be dangerous?
Well, control arms and bushings can abrade over time and you need to replace them for the smooth engine function. Find out the functions of this component, the aftereffects of its breakdown, and the cost of replacement.
There could be two to four control arms in a vehicle. It is called a car lower control arm when a vehicle has only two control arms. A few cars and many heavy-duty vehicles have four—two lower and two upper arms.
So, what is a control arm on a car? In simple words, it is a suspension link that joins the car’s frame to the assembly (known as the steering knuckle) that holds a front wheel. Flexible rubber bushings join the control arms to the car’s framework.
What’s the function of this component? It swings up and down when the car hits a bump or pothole, allowing the tires to travel. It plays a major role in keeping both front wheels on the road.
Two other components in this system — a bushing and a ball joint — are also crucial to the operation of control arms. The broad end of the triangle that is connected to the frame moves a bushing while the other end joined to the steering knuckle navigates on a ball joint.
The average life expectancy of the control arm is from 90000 to 100000 miles depending on the road conditions in your area so it can last longer or shorter. The bushing or ball joint can deteriorate and stir many problems. A worn-out or damaged control arm is also not safe for the car.
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A problematic automobile control arm is likely to produce a few symptoms. Any experienced driver will catch them. If you are fairly new to driving, be alert for these warning signs:
Ever heard a ‘pop’ when running over bumps on the road? Or, when speeding up and reducing the speed? The sound might be the aftereffects of a failing control arm. Loose or excessively worn-out bushing or ball joints could be the reason too. They knock at the time of acceleration and deceleration and every time the car hits a pothole or a rock.
What happens if control arm breaks while driving? It directly affects steering performance. The steering’s alignment gets shifted, causing it to pull either the right or the left side. The problem becomes more noticeable at the time of braking or driving on rough terrain.
The control arm bushings absorb the shock of road bumps. When it’s broken or incapable of functioning, the vehicle will continuously vibrate at the time of driving. It will also cause the metal sleeves of the control arm to rattle uncontrollably, creating an annoying clunking sound coming from the front wheels.
The tire tread will have uneven wear when the control arm breaks while driving. As you already know, one function of the component is to free up the tire’s movement. When this does not happen, the consequence is uneven wearing.
These symptoms are often hard to detect, especially when you have little knowledge about the mechanism of a motor vehicle. For this reason, it is often necessary to follow the maintenance schedule. Having the car diagnosed by a mechanic at least once a year could help spot many issues that would otherwise go unnoticed.
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Any problem with any part of the steering system can make your car operate unstably and cause potential dangers when driving. The car steering wheel is shaking, it is difficult to control or the undercarriage makes an unpleasant noise, which are signs of a damaged control arm. This is an important part of the car, if there is a problem, it will affect other related parts. So, we alert you that you shouldn’t ever drive when your control arm is broken or bad since it can cause further damage to your car. In some situations, you still have to drive with a broken control arm, we recommend that you should notice the vibrations or noise coming from your car. You shouldn’t make a sharp turn or sudden operations that can cause damage to the control arm quickly.
There are a handful of solutions to contain the failing control arm issues. Correcting the axle position, aligning the wheel, and testing the vehicle by taking extreme turns and doing acceleration are a few.
But what happens if control arm breaks while driving? It creates an unpleasant driving experience and several other troubles. Replacing the broken or severely damaged control arm, ball joint, or bushing is the only way in that case. A control arm is a detail related to the vehicle chassis system. If they detect signs of this faulty part, drivers should not repair themselves at home but need to give the vehicle to a garage, a reputable warranty and maintenance center for experienced technicians to check and repair timely.
The estimated cost of control arm replacement could be anything between $150 and $390 depending on the extent of damage, labor costs, and a few other things. There is no need to replace both if only one arm is damaged. But when one is failing there’s a high chance that the other one will also fail soon. You may need to replace the stabilizer bar links and bushings as well, given that the mechanic finds them in deteriorated conditions. Always remember to do the wheel alignment after the replacement of the worn-out components. It may cost another $100, but this repair job is absolutely necessary to ensure driving safety and avoid sudden failure of the vehicle.