A structural suspension component that attaches the steering knuckle or wheel hub to the vehicle frame. It pivots on rubber or polyurethane bushings at the frame end and connects to the knuckle via a ball joint. This allows the wheel to move up and down over bumps while keeping it firmly located fore and aft.
Heard on the job
The lower control arm bushings are completely torn, which is why the steering pulls under heavy braking.
Also heard as
- A-arm
- wishbone
Related terms
Ball joint
A pivoting spherical bearing that connects a vehicle's control arms to its steering knuckles.
Suspension
The system of springs, dampers, and linkages connecting a vehicle to its wheels.
Wishbone
A structural suspension component with two mounting points at the chassis and one at the wheel hub.