Symptoms of a failing Front Lower Control Arm
Steering wheel is vibrating
So, here’s something you hopefully already knew. Your steering wheel isn’t supposed to vibrate. If your steering wheel is vibrating, there’s something going on that shouldn’t be going on.
If your car’s front lower control arm is busted, then the vibrations of the steering system will start to make their way back into your car. And they’ll come through the steering wheel. Next thing you know, your steering wheel will be jiggling around like a skateboard on a gravel road.
It’s annoying. And it kind of tickles. And it will only get worse.
Weird noises
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that your car shouldn’t be making foreign noises. And that those noises are a warning sign that something is wrong.
Lots of different things in your car can make lots of different weird noises. If your front lower control arm is having a bad day, then it will likely make a knocking noise. Listen to that knocking noise, which you’ll kind of be forced to do, because it’s really annoying. And no, it won’t go away, so don’t try your preferred method of dealing with problems by ignoring them.
Car is pulling
Pulling is when you’re driving along, presumably in a straight line, but the car keeps pulling to the left or to the right. No matter how much you straighten out the wheel, the car keeps drifting to one side or another. It’s a pretty bizarre sensation.
Your car can pull to the left or the right for a few reasons. One of those reasons is that the front lower control arms are busted, creating uneven support and screwing up the car’s alignment.
Uneven wear on your tires
Like I just said, a dying front lower control arm can cause your wheels to be improperly aligned. In addition to creating pulling, that will lead to your car having uneven wear on the tires.
Always keep an eye out for irregularities with your tires. Spotting things like uneven wear can save you a lot of money, and keep your car as safe as possible.