Upper Control Arm

Upper Control Arm – Be the Master of Your Suspension

There are few things that can affect the pleasure and value you see in a car more than the suspension system. Oh yes, color and style are very important, and design flaws can lead to reduced aerodynamic performance. Also a tiny engine or the lack of working brakes my reduce the likelihood that you will ever take the car out for a spin again without wearing your helmet, but it's really the suspension that makes the difference in how much you can ask of your car. The suspension system has many parts that contribute to the success of your ride, and the upper control arm is one of them.

If you've never had the pleasure of peering at the exposed undercarriage of your car before, you'll find that it's a very interesting place. And for all the horsepower and manliness that's house above in the engine compartment, the stuff you'll see underneath your car has more to do with the comfort of the ride. The big springs and joints that you see right around the area where the wheels connect to the frame are some of the most important members of the suspension family, and they are typically known as the shocks and struts.

If you take the time to look even closer at these parts, you will see that they are assisted by the equally important lower and upper control arm, as well as the control arm bushings. Depending on the type of car that you have, you will be able to spot the control arms easily, as they are usually made into the shape of an A or a wishbone. The two lower points of the A are usually connected to the wheel, while the top point of the A is connected to the spindle.

Even if you have never had any desire to work on your car or make repairs yourself, it is always helpful to be able to understand and speak articulately about the function of the upper control arm. Many times mechanics will think that they can convince you to replace a much more expensive part, because you are unaware of the difference between a control arm and a rack and pinion system. Being knowledgeable about your suspension system will at least allow you to know if they are leading you down an unnecessary path. If you notice too much dipping or rolling when your car takes turns, it might be time to take a look.