When it comes to cars and trucks, a properly functioning suspension system is essential. Not only does it make the vehicle ride smoother and handle better, but it also ensures that the car doesn’t roll over in tight corners or lose control when hitting a pothole. If you ever experience a problem with your lower control arm, you’ll know just how important it is to get it replaced as soon as possible. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of replacing your lower control arm, step-by-step.
What is a Lower Control Arm?
Lower control arm is a suspension component located at the front of a vehicle’s chassis. It helps to balance the weight of the vehicle and act as a link between the axle and the chassis. When worn or damaged, it can cause instability in the suspension system, making it difficult to drive or handling. A lower control arm replacement is a common repair on vehicles.
How to replace a lower control arm
If you’re experiencing a lot of vibration or noise when you drive, it may be time to replace your lower control arm. Lower control arms are responsible for stabilizing the vehicle while driving and can often become defective over time. There are a few different ways to replace a lower control arm, so be sure to choose the method that best suits your needs.
If you have an automatic transmission, you will need to remove the transmission first. Most lower control arms are mounted on either side of the differential, so you will need to remove both sides in order to replace them. If you have a manual transmission, only one side will need to be removed.
Once the transmission is out, you can start removing the bolts that hold the control arm in place. Be careful not to lose any of these bolts; they are very small and can easily get lost. Once all of the bolts are removed, simply lift out the control arm and replace it with a new one.
What are the benefits of replacing a lower control arm?
Replacing a lower control arm is an important maintenance task for your car. Here are the benefits:
1. Reduced braking performance: A worn or damaged lower control arm can affect the car’s braking performance. Replacing it will restore normal function to the brake system, improving braking performance.
2. Improved handling and stability: A worn or damaged lower control arm can cause the vehicle to pull to one side when driving, making it difficult to stay in control. Replacing it will improve handling and stability by restoring the vehicle’s balance.
3. Increased fuel efficiency: A worn or damaged lower control arm can cause decreased fuel economy because of reduced efficiency when driving. Replacing it will restore normal function to the car’s suspension, which will increase fuel economy.
How to replace a lower control arm on a MX-5 Miata
If you are experiencing looseness, vibration, or an overall loss of steering control in your MX-5 Miata, it is likely that the lower control arm needs to be replaced. This guide will show you how to replace the control arm on an MX-5 Miata.
Required Tools: Phillips head screwdriver, liberal amount of oil (or WD-40), old towel or rag, socket set with ratchet and 10 mm socket.
1) Park the car safely and remove the wheel.
2) Remove the two Phillips head screws that hold the lower control arm bracket to the chassis (see image 1). These screws should be located approximately 8 inches from the end of each side panel (see image 2).
3) Slide the bracket off of the chassis (see image 3).
4) Carefully remove the upper control arm from its mountings on both ends of the strut tower brace (see images 4 & 5). The joint between these two components is held together by four bolts; once these bolts have been removed, it should be easy to slide each upper control arm off of its respective strut tower brace. Be sure not to lose any parts; these arms are notoriously difficult to source spares for!
5) Carefully remove oil residue from both arms using a liberal amount of oil (or WD-40), then wipe them down clean with a dry rag or towel.
6) Prepare two new mounting locations
Conclusion
Lower control arm replacement can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and guidance it can be relatively easy. In this article, we will discuss some of the basics of replacing a lower control arm and provide a step-by-step guide on how to complete the job yourself. By following our advice, you will not only save money but also avoid any potential complications that could arise from having someone else do the work for you. So if your Lower Control Arm is giving you problems, read through this guide and see if you can fix them yourself!