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Control arms connect each wheel to the frame and let it move up and down in a controlled arc. Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland replaces control arms that are bent from a curb or pothole, or worn out at the bushings or ball joint. We inspect the arm for bends and cracks, test its joints, and give you a written estimate before work. After installation, we arrange the alignment and road-test the car. If your arm is straight and only the rubber is worn, suspension bushing repair may be the better choice.
Did a curb or pothole bend your control arm?
A hard hit can bend an arm without leaving much to see from the outside. The signs are a sudden pull, a steering wheel that sits crooked right after the impact, or a tire that starts wearing on one edge. We compare the arm to the other side and look for kinks, stretched mounting holes and cracked welds.
Impact damage often reaches beyond the arm. We check the wheel, the tire sidewall, the tie rod and the knuckle, and note anything else the hit touched. Bent wheels can be looked at through our rim repair service.
Signs of a worn control arm
- A clunk when braking or accelerating
- Steering wander on grooved freeway lanes
- Visible separation in the bushings
- A loose ball joint in an arm where the joint is not sold separately
Our control arm replacement process
Step 1: Inspect for damage and wear
We check for bends, cracks, bushing wear and ball joint play.
Step 2: Check the neighbors
After an impact, the wheel, tire, tie rods and knuckle are inspected too.
Step 3: Quote and replace
After written approval, the arm is installed and bushing bolts are tightened at ride height.
Step 4: Align and road test
We arrange the alignment and confirm straight tracking on the road.
What's included in control arm replacement
Included on the work order
- 01Side-to-side comparison for bends
- 02Bushing and ball joint check
- 03Inspection of parts affected by an impact
- 04Bolts tightened at ride height
- 05Alignment arranged after installation
- 06Post-repair road test
Need-now or need-later?
Need now: call
- A visibly bent or cracked arm
- A ball joint in the arm with play beyond spec
Need later: book
- Minor bushing cracks with no movement
How pricing and timing work
Upper and lower arms differ in price and labor, and rusted or seized bolts add time. If the impact damaged more parts, each is its own estimate line so you can see the full picture. AAA members get 10% off parts and labor, up to $75. Arms are usually in stock or available quickly, so same-day work is possible when the board allows.
Aftercare
After an impact repair, keep an eye on tire wear and steering centering for a few weeks. If anything changes, call us. Consider a ball joint check on the other side, which often wears at the same pace.
Frequently asked questions
Can a bent control arm be straightened?
Suspension arms should not be heated or bent back. Replacement is the safe repair for a bent arm.
Is it just an alignment after hitting a curb?
Sometimes, but a hard hit often bends a part. We inspect first so the alignment is not set on damaged parts.
Do I have to replace both control arms?
No. If only one side is bent or worn, one arm is enough. We report the condition of the other side.