94727588 Control Arm For CHEVROLET | GUOWEI OEM Replacement (Front/Rear) with Cable & Bracket Details

- FT NO.: FT-009-032
- SERIES: GM
- OEM:

- FOR: CHEVROLET
- NAME: Control Arm
- MANUFACTURER: Professional Factory

What Are Control Arms and What Do They Do?

A control arm, also known as an A-arm (or control link in the railway industry), links the vehicle chassis and suspension hub that carries the wheel. They are the metal components you can see that connect the vehicle body to the wheel assembly in automotive vehicles.

Control arms are a vital component of a vehicle’s suspension system, allowing tyres to move in line with the vehicle’s body. They are made up of three main parts: bushing, body and ball joint. The control arm body connects to the vehicle frame via the bushings (usually rubber bushings) and connects to the wheel side of the vehicle suspension with a ball joint. In combination, these components allow smooth, controlled movement when pivoting, turning and driving on the road, by allowing the wheels to move up and down while remaining in contact with the ground for stability. Control arms also reduce friction and vibration when steering.

Automotive vehicles usually have between two and four control arms, depending on the vehicle suspension. However, most modern cars only have control arms in the front wheel suspension. Larger or heavy-duty vehicles like trucks may have control arms in the rear axle.

Having a correctly working control arm and suspension system keeps your tyres in place when you hit a bump or pothole in the road, which is important for your safety on the road. If your steering wheel is vibrating or feels hard to control, or you experience any loud banging, clunking noises when driving over bumps, this could be a signal that you need to replace your control arm assembly.

The Functions of A Control Arm

A control arm's purpose is straightforward. It connects the steering knuckle to the frame and stabilizes the vehicle by allowing the chassis and the wheels to move in unison while the vehicle is in motion. Ultimately, control arms help achieve coordination between the suspension and steering systems, dampening the ride and giving the driver the ability to maneuver the vehicle.

The control arm's swiveling ball joint serves as the steering system's pivot point, allowing the vehicle to be turned in either direction while moving forward or backward. The hinge joint on the control arms' frame side keeps the wheels in contact with the ground, whether traveling over smooth pavement or treading over bumps and potholes on the road. Both sides of the control arm work together to grant the movement necessary for a vehicle to safely and adequately operate on roads.