Lower Control Arm Replacement Cost
Your front lower control arm is what connects your vehicle’s suspension system and tires to its frame, so it’s crucial to make sure it is functioning properly at all times. Considering factors like front lower arm repair cost or even the replacement cost, it’s best to ensure that it’s in good shape. If you suspect that your car’s lower control arm needs to be replaced, you might be wondering how much it will cost you in terms of both repair cost and cost labor.
Typically, replacing your car’s lower control arm will cost somewhere between $500-$700, parts and labor included, which is the cost to replace it. However, the cost could come up to $1,000 or more, depending on where you live, your vehicle’s make and model, labor cost, repair cost, and the mechanic you visit.
Keep reading to learn more about the cost of replacing a lower control arm, as well as why this is not a problem you should ignore. Do understand, these prices may vary considering the repair and labor costs involved.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Lower Control Arm?
As far as parts go, a lower control arm itself will only cost you approximately $100-$300, depending on what kind of car you have. The upper and lower sections differ in prices due to the complexity of the job. However, the total repair cost, considering the labor costs involved, can be anywhere from $500 to upwards of $1,000 when done by a professional mechanic.
As with most repairs, the mechanic’s labor will account for more than half of the total cost. The make and model of your car will be the biggest factor when it comes to determining the price of your lower control arm.
Below is a table highlighting the average price of this part for a few popular makes of cars. Do bear in mind these are just estimates, as the actual prices might differ owing to labor costs and the cost to replace these parts in your specific model.
Make | Average Price of Lower Control Arm |
---|---|
Toyota | $300 |
Chevrolet | $160 |
Ford | $185 |
Honda | $125 |
What Does a Lower Control Arm Do?
Your lower control arm, also called an “A-arm,” is the part that connects your vehicle’s suspension and tires to the frame. Some older models of cars may also have an upper control arm, but most newer models only have a lower control arm. Apart from the repair cost, the labor cost involved also differs between the upper and lower control arms.
Apart from connecting your suspension system to your vehicle’s frame, the lower control arm’s second most important job is to keep your ride smooth. Your wheels are also connected to the vehicle by the control arm, and it moves up and down as you drive down the road to keep the wheels evenly on the pavement.
When you drive down the road, you probably notice that you don’t feel every bump you drive over. This is because the lower control arm absorbs most of these irregularities.
It’s connected to your vehicle through three separate mounting points, including one ball joint that connects it to the wheels and two bushings that connect it to the frame.
The two flexible, rubber control arm bushings allow the lower control arm to flex, which lets the wheels move up and down as needed when you drive over bumps in the road. As you can probably tell, this is an integral part of your suspension system, so it’s important to replace the lower control arm as soon as a problem arises.
What Are the Signs of a Problem with Your Lower Control Arm?
Luckily, there are quite a few signs that will tell you your lower control arm needs to be replaced soon. These symptoms include issues with steering, noises as you drive over bumps, braking concerns, and uneven tire wear.
Here are some of the specifics to look out for.
Bad Steering Wheel Alignment
If the ball joints that connect your lower control arm to the tires wear down over time, it can affect your tire alignment. You will be able to tell that your alignment is off if your tires are not moving in the right direction as you turn your steering wheel.
This may be minor at first but can get worse over time as the joints wear down further.
Noises as You Drive Over Bumps
Your suspension system is responsible for mitigating the bumps you feel as you drive down the road. If the lower control arm is in need of repair, it can start to move around while you drive, and you will be able to tell by the sounds it makes.
The noise will be a “clanking,” metal hitting metal type of sound, and you’ll mostly hear it when you’re driving on uneven ground. As the problem gets worse, the noise will get louder.
Eventually, it may break away completely, which will be a serious issue. If you hear this noise, get your lower control arm checked out as soon as possible. Be sure to keep in mind the associated prices for repair and replacement, which would also include labor cost, when reaching out to professionals for assistance.
When your lower control arm, a vital component found in popular vehicle brands such as Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet, begins to falter, the bushings and ball joints will endure damage and ultimately wear down and come loose. This condition will manifest through an impact on the steering column, generating a discernible shake and causing your steering wheel to vibrate in your hand as you drive.
Vibrations in Your Steering Wheel
Ordinarily, this phenomenon is apparent during acceleration and may lessen once you’ve gained adequate speed. This can be especially concerning if you are driving a car with a high safety rating, as steering control directly affects these ratings.
A dilapidated lower control arm can trigger your vehicle to become misaligned, leading to uneven tire wear in a potentially costly pattern. If you observe one or two of your tires exhibiting significantly more wear than the others, your lower control arm may be the culprit. An inspection kit can be beneficial in ascertaining the severity of the wear.
Uneven Tire Wear
Simultaneously, the steering might start to wobble, independent of vibrations. During the drive, you’ll find your steering wheel veering to the left or right, requiring constant correction in order to maintain straight-line driving.
A Wobbly Steering Wheel
While a damaged control arm is a prime potential cause of these issues, they may also be symptomatic of a variety of other problems.
Even though the lower control arm isn’t directly tethered to the braking system, there exists a closely-knit functional cross-over between the two. Dysfunctional lower control arms could create an unsettling shaking sensation in the frontal section of your car while applying the brakes, especially during sudden stops.
Braking Issues
Much like additional car components, the lower control arm can degrade and eventually fail over time due to normal wear and tear. They traditionally boast a lifespan of approximately 100,000 miles, although this estimate can be shortened if you regularly subject your car to rough roads or aggressive driving.
What Might the Lower Control Arm Go Bad?
Getting your car routinely inspected every milestone of approximately 100,000 miles can be a smart money-saving strategy. Ensure the lower control arm’s health is included in this inspection!
Your lower control arm won’t typically fail all at once, thankfully, displaying various warning signs before complete failure. This grace period should provide ample time to have your vehicle inspected by a professional.
Can I Still Drive with a Bad Lower Control Arm?
Until the issue escalates to an unavoidable problem, it is typically safe to drive even with a worn out lower control arm.
However, ignoring a faulty control arm for too long is not advisable. In the end, it will inevitably fail, amounting to a serious difficulty. The absence of a functioning lower control arm maintaining the alignment of your wheels to your vehicle’s frame could compromise your ability to steer or control your vehicle.
Such complications could lead to a detrimental accident. If you suspect that your lower control arm is defective, prioritizing a prompt inspection is advisable.
Professional automotive technicians, adept with the necessary toolkit, will be able to perform your lower control arm replacement successfully.
How is a Lower Control Arm Replacement Performed?
Replacing a lower control arm is an intermediate to advanced level repair procedure. Though technically not overly challenging, it is a thorough procedure that demands a significant degree of expertise for proper execution.
- First, the mechanic will lift your car up to remove both the front tires and the wheel assemblies.
- Next, the control arm will be disconnected from the vehicle frame, where the bushings meet the sway bar.
- The lower ball joint will be disconnected from both the wheel hub and the steering knuckle, then the control arm will be slowly removed from the frame to ensure nothing gets damaged in the process.
- Once the old control arm has been removed, the new one will be installed at the same mounting points.
- The bolts will be torqued according to the manufacturer’s directions, and then the wheel assemblies and the tires will be replaced.
- As a final step, the mechanic will realign your tires to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Can I Replace the Lower Control Arm Myself?
To access the parts that necessitate removal, you’ll require the tools to jack your car up adequately. If you’re unsure about this, it’s better to delegate the task to the professionals.
Unless you have an appropriate space to execute the replacement properly and unmitigated confidence in your capabilities, this repair is best left to professionals.
The financial cost of having your lower control arm replaced by a professional mechanic can range anywhere from $500 to over $1,000, with an average estimate lying somewhere between $500-$700. The precise figure depends on several variables.
Final Thoughts
Given the critical role your lower control arm plays in ensuring the safe operation of your vehicle, it’s imperative not to neglect its maintenance or repair. Definitely prioritize its replacement when necessary, and always entrust the repair to a professional.
Since your lower control arm plays such a significant part in your vehicle’s safe operation, it’s not something to ignore. Make sure it’s done when it needs to be done, and always have a professional make the repair.
F.A.Q.
The following questions can be added to the block:
1. How much does it cost to replace the lower control arm?
The cost to replace a lower control arm can range from $200 to $600 or more, depending on the vehicle make and model, and labor costs.
2. Can I drive with a bad lower control arm?
Driving with a bad lower control arm is not recommended as it can lead to reduced vehicle stability, poor handling, and safety risks.
3. How much does it cost to replace lower arm?
Replacing a lower arm can cost between $200 to $600 or higher, factoring in both parts and labor, with prices varying by vehicle and region.
4. What happens if you don’t replace lower control arm?
Not replacing a lower control arm can result in poor handling, increased wear on suspension components, and uneven tire wear.
5. Is it OK to just replace 1 lower control arm?
While it’s often recommended to replace both for even wear, replacing just one lower control arm can be acceptable if the other is in good condition.