Bad Lower Control Arm Bushing (Symptoms & Causes)
Every vehicle has a suspension system that connects all the wheels and tires. You need to realize that this suspension system isn’t just one big piece.
Most cars have what looks like upper and lower control arms for the front wheels and sometimes the rear wheels as well. The front wheels have the front suspension, and wishbones connect the vehicle’s frame to the front suspension. At the end of each control arm is a rubber bushing with two metal sleeves that surround a rubber liner. This is called a control arm bushing.
3 Most Common Symptoms of Lower Control Arm Bushing Failure
As the wheels move under the vehicle frame, vibrations often occur between the wheels. The function of the lower control arm bushing is to reduce the intensity of the vibrations below it as much as possible. This allows the driver to concentrate on the road without being distracted by vibrations.
However, if the lower control arm bushings are damaged or worn out, two pieces of metal come into contact and this can cause a number of problems. Below are the three most common symptoms you can expect to experience.
1) Vibrations from the steering wheel
The function of the lower control arm bushings is to reduce the intensity of vibrations, so if there is an issue with the bushings, you can expect to feel these vibrations. This can happen as the bushings wear out after a while.
The first symptom you will probably notice is a shuddering or vibrating sensation coming through your steering wheel. The harder you press the accelerator to accelerate, the more this vibration will be felt. Setting the vehicle on cruise control will reduce the vibration somewhat.
2) Abnormal noises
If the lower control arm bushings are worn out, they may start to come loose. Either that or they have become loose due to bumpy driving. Either way, this will cause a strange rattling noise to be heard under the vehicle. These noises become louder when driving over potholes, uneven or rocky terrain because the worn bushings are under a lot of stress. Sooner or later, the bushings will break due to this pressure. It’s better to replace the bushings before that happens.
3) Difficulty in steering
There’s something called “steering wobble” where the wheels pull too much to the left or right. This makes it difficult to keep the steering wheel straight and the wheels will stay straight. When lower control arm bushings wear out, they throw off your vehicle’s steering alignment. That’s why they pull too hard in one direction like this. So when you’re driving on a straight road, you have to use more force to steer your vehicle straight. Of course, this is not something you want to put up with.
Common Causes of Lower Control Arm Bushing Failure
Lower control arm bushings can easily become damaged or worn out while you’re driving your vehicle. This can cause all sorts of problems with steering and maintaining a smooth driving experience. Here are the 5 most common reasons why lower control arm bushings fail:
1) Accidental Damage
Lower control arm bushings are very small and fragile parts of a vehicle. When auto mechanics work on vehicles, especially the suspension, they can easily damage the lower control arm bushings during the process. If the bushings are already worn down from age, they are even more likely to fail completely. When this happens, you will hear a loud, unpleasant rattling noise.
2) Wear
Every time you drive your vehicle, it puts stress on the lower control arm. Lower control arm bushings are exposed to even more stress because they have to attach the arm to the frame.
The more miles you put on your car, the more the bushings will wear out. There will come a point where you will hear a small rattle noise. But at this point, you know the bushing is damaged and needs to be replaced.
3) Rocky or Uneven Terrain
If you frequently drive through rocky terrain or areas full of holes (we’re talking about Michigan!), this puts a lot of stress on the lower control arm and bushings.
This will eventually cause the bushings to come loose from all the vibrations and shocks of driving. Continued erratic movement will cause the bushings to bounce violently, causing them to break. 4) Not Tightened
Lower control arm bushings need to be tightened to stay in place and not move. If they come loose, they will constantly hit the surrounding metal parts, making an unpleasant rattling noise.
Bushings can come loose due to wear and tear from normal driving. It could also be that your mechanic never properly re-tightened the bushing onto the control arm. In either case, the socket will be damaged if it’s loose or if it’s constantly hitting nearby components.
