How much is it to fix a control arm?
Your vehicle's suspension is making loud clunking noises and the steering feels loose. A mechanic has diagnosed a bad control arm, and now you are concerned about the repair cost.
In South Korea, fixing a control arm by replacing the complete assembly typically costs between ₩350,000 and ₩800,000 per side. The final price depends on the car model, the cost of the part, and workshop labor rates. A wheel alignment is also a necessary additional cost.
As a professional automotive parts wholesaler based here in South Korea, we know that maintaining a vehicle's suspension is critical for safety, especially on our varied roads. The control arm is a core component, and its repair is a significant job. For our professional clients, from distributors to repair shops, understanding the costs involved is essential for providing accurate quotes and quality service to customers.
How many control arms are on a car?
You are planning to service a vehicle and need to understand its suspension layout. Knowing the number of control arms is fundamental. The answer depends on the vehicle's design and complexity.
Most standard cars have at least two control arms on the front suspension—one for each wheel. However, many modern vehicles, especially those with more advanced suspension designs, have four in the front (upper and lower arms) and more in the rear, totaling eight or more.
The number of control arms on a vehicle is determined by its suspension type. A simple and common design, like the MacPherson strut system found on many compact cars like the Hyundai Avante, uses a single lower control arm on each side of the front suspension. The strut itself acts as the upper link. A more advanced design, known as a double wishbone suspension, uses both an upper and a lower control arm on each side. This provides better handling and is often found on high-performance and luxury vehicles, including many Genesis models. In the past, many cars had a simple solid axle in the rear with no control arms. Today, most cars have an independent rear suspension for a better ride. These systems use a series of links and arms, including several control arms per side, to precisely manage wheel movement. This means a modern vehicle can easily have a complex network of eight or more control arms in total.
How long do control arms last?
You are inspecting a vehicle and want to know the expected lifespan of its control arms. This helps you decide if a replacement is due based on age and usage.
Control arm assemblies are designed to be very durable, typically lasting between 120,000 and 160,000 kilometers. However, the wearable parts—the rubber bushings and the ball joint—can fail sooner due to rough road conditions or impacts.
The control arm itself is a strong piece of stamped steel or cast aluminum that rarely fails on its own. The lifespan of the control arm assembly is almost always determined by the lifespan of its integrated rubber bushings and ball joint. These are the parts that handle constant movement and vibration. Over many years and thousands of kilometers, the rubber in the bushings can crack and degrade, while the ball joint can wear out and become loose. The driving conditions in South Korea, from the smooth highways to the often-congested city streets with many speed bumps, put constant stress on these components. Hitting a deep pothole can also cause immediate damage to a bushing or ball joint, even on a newer vehicle. So, while the arm itself is built to last, the assembly should be inspected for wear regularly after the 100,000-kilometer mark and replaced when the first signs of failure appear.
How do I know if I need to replace a control arm?
Your car does not feel right, but you are not sure what the problem is. You need to know the specific symptoms of a failing control arm. Recognizing these signs is key to an early diagnosis.
You need to replace a control arm if you hear a clunking or knocking sound from the suspension, feel vibrations in the steering wheel, or if the car's steering feels loose and wanders. Uneven tire wear is another strong indicator.
A failing control arm assembly provides several clear warning signs. The most common is a clunking sound. This noise is most obvious when you drive over bumps, speed bumps, or uneven pavement. It is the sound of a worn ball joint or a bad bushing allowing metal parts to hit each other. Another key symptom is a change in steering feel. The steering might feel loose, vague, or less responsive than usual. You may find that you have to constantly make small corrections to the steering wheel to keep the car driving in a straight line. This is often called "steering wander." You might also feel a vibration or a shimmy through the steering wheel, especially at higher speeds. Finally, check your tires. Because a bad control arm can no longer hold the wheel in the correct position, your vehicle's alignment will be off. This will cause the inner or outer edges of your tires to wear down much faster than the center.
How do you fix a control arm on a car?
You have a bad control arm and need to understand the repair process. You might wonder if you can just fix a single part of it. The modern repair standard is clear.
You do not "fix" a single part of a worn control arm; the correct and professional method is to replace the entire control arm assembly. This ensures all wearable components—the arm, bushings, and ball joint—are new and reliable.
While it is sometimes technically possible to press old bushings and ball joints out of a control arm, this is an old method that is rarely used in professional workshops today. It is very labor-intensive and requires special, heavy-duty press equipment. The modern, efficient, and more reliable solution is to replace the entire control arm assembly. As a leading parts supplier, we provide these complete assemblies. A new assembly comes from the factory with brand-new, high-quality rubber bushings and a new ball joint already installed. This has several advantages. It significantly reduces the installation time, which saves on labor costs. It also guarantees that all the related components are new and designed to work together perfectly. This provides a much more complete and longer-lasting repair. The replacement itself is a job for a professional mechanic, as it involves disassembling part of the suspension and using specialized tools to do it safely.
Conclusion
Fixing a control arm means replacing the entire assembly, a significant but essential safety repair. The cost includes the part, labor, and a mandatory alignment to restore vehicle control and stability.
GSW to safeguard your needs.