Is it OK to drive with a broken control arm?

03 Apr.,2024

 

It is no rumour that machines can be extremely unpredictable while being used. For machines such as a car, the need to be pre-informed about car components is fundamentally important. One of the components to focus on is the Control Arm.

There are several cases in which the control arm breaks unexpectedly, thereby bringing about problems and even fatal accidents in some situations.

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What is a control arm?

A control arm also called A-arms refers to the suspension component that is usually found in vehicles. However, it is a suspension link that connects the wheel hub and steering knuckles to the chassis.

These, therefore, make the bushings and ball joints enable the flex to move by the conditions of the road and steering input from the driver.

Reasons of control arm damage

You need to be conscious of whatever happens if the control arm breaks while you’re driving. This will not only allow you to be on top of the situation but will also give you enough time and the ability to correct the abnormality.

Having that in mind, it’s important you note the following symptoms of a failing control arm.

  • Steering wandering
  • The worn-out ball joints/blushing made out of metal and rubber or plastic parts makes the vehicle’s steering alignment shift when the steering pulls either to the left or right in the course of traveling down the road.

  • Clunking noises
  • Clunking noises are a regular symptom of problematic control arms on a vehicle when the bushings or ball joints are loosened.

  • Drive Comfort
  • Irregular blushing will constrain driving performance and the heavily damaged one can become ineffective and only result in vibrations throughout the drive.

  • Braking
  • Due to gross or partial damage of the control arm bushing, the forward and backward oscillation of the control arm is lost. The prevalence of this situation makes the brake unstable.

  • Acceleration
  • When your car accelerates at a static position or experiences only backward movement, it could be said that the control arm is faulty.

What if the control arm breaks?

If the ball joints are worn out then you might be facing difficulty in aligning the vehicle on road. With major damage, there might be a possibility that you will lose control over the wheels, and in the extreme case, if the control arm breaks, the wheel could fall off the position.

Prevention methods

The unexpected damage of the control arm, particularly while driving is unwholesome for the driver. It brings about several problems. The following are the ways through which control arm failure can be contained.

  • A problematic control arm produces few symptoms which can be identified by a conscious and alert driver.
  • Correct the abnormalities to steer the vehicle straight.
  • Accurate alignment of the wheel
  • Correction of axle
  • Make acceleration and extreme turns test
  • Swinging the control arm

How long can I drive with the damaged control arm?

With the damaged or worn-out control arm, you can drive your vehicle for a week or less but it should be repaired as soon as you detect the problem through the methods given above before the suspension gets broken.

Point to follow – If you want that your control arm of the car does not break and gets detected easily so that necessary actions can be taken in time, make sure that you service your car at regular intervals so that your car is maintained up to the standards to prevent any extreme damage.

If you want to know more about the control arm damage and prevention tips for your car, contact us anytime at 085-118-1111 or info@nationaldrivingschool.ie.

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It’s not recommended to drive with bad control arm bushings for an extended period of time as it can cause serious safety issues. Worn control arm bushings can lead to poor handling and alignment, which can affect the stability of the vehicle and make it difficult to steer or control the vehicle, especially at high speeds. It can also cause uneven tire wear and accelerate wear on other suspension components.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to have your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic as soon as possible:

  • clunking or rattling noises coming from the suspension
  • poor handling, vehicle pulls to one side
  • uneven tire wear
  • steering wheel vibration
  • loose steering

If you continue to drive with bad control arm bushings, it can lead to further damage to the suspension and steering components, which can be costly to repair. It’s best to address the issue as soon as possible to avoid further damage and ensure the safety of you and your passengers while driving.

Is it OK to drive with a broken control arm?

How long can you drive with bad control arm bushings?