This A-shaped or V-shaped metal arm controls the motion of the wheel, allowing it to move up and down over bumps while preventing forward or backward movement. It connects the steering knuckle to the vehicle frame. High-performance vehicles often use a double wishbone setup, featuring an upper and lower arm to keep the tire perfectly perpendicular to the road during aggressive cornering.
The lower wishbone is bent from that pothole strike, so we'll need to replace it and realign the front end.
Also heard as
- A-arm
- Control arm
Related terms
Control arm
A hinged suspension link that connects the chassis to the wheel hub.
Suspension
The system of springs, dampers, and linkages connecting a vehicle to its wheels.
Strut
A structural suspension component that combines a shock absorber and a coil spring into a single assembly.
Ball joint
A pivoting spherical bearing that connects a vehicle's control arms to its steering knuckles.