by 
The Curious Bag
-
All vehicles but those that utilize full leaf-spring suspension have control arms, and all vehicles have some sort of bushing. These components are important for both ride quality and suspension longevity, but can wear out over time.
Control Arms
These components are connected to the wheel axle on one end, and the chassis on the other. They are responsible for controlling suspension movement through all axes.
Bushings Shape and Material
Bushings are usually made of rubber, and are cylindrical in shape. They are usually two to four inches in diameter, two to five inches long and have a metal insert in the middle.
Bushing Location
Bushings are usually press-fit into the chassis end of the control arms and other suspension components.
Bushing Function
Bushings allow the control arms to ride on a cushion of rubber in all directions of movement. This is crucial to isolating the minute vibrations experienced by suspension components from the chassis.
Failure
Since they form a direct interface between chassis and suspension, soft or cracked bushings will often cause poor handling. This condition can be very subtle, since it very gradually worsens over time.
Source:
Resource:
Control Arm Bushing Replacement (Video)
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC