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Are All Suspension Control Arms the Same?

Are All Suspension Control Arms the Same?

Control arms are not standardized units in the automotive industry. Each manufacturer has their control arm design. To add to the confusion, the front and the rear wheels of each vehicle will have a different control arm design.

The most common design is an “A” configuration with one leg of the “A” attached to the frame by a bushing and the other attached to the wheel by a ball joint. The “A” allows a slight flex in the design making for an added cushioning effect.

Most off-road vehicles have two control arms for each wheel. There is an upper and a lower control arm. These control arms are in a straight, or lateral, configuration. The lateral configuration applies more pressure to the wheel from the frame, holding the tire firmly to the surface on which you are traveling.

Updated control arms are available at Eastside Kia in Calgary.

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