Symptoms of a failing Front Upper Control Arm

Vibrating steering wheel

All right, here’s some important news: Vibrating steering wheels aren’t a good thing. So, if your steering wheel vibrates, don’t just stare at it in wonder. Don’t wonder how you got a free hand massage. Instead, realize that something’s wrong with your car, and address it. If your car’s front upper control arm is busted, then the vibrations of the steering system will start to make their way back into your car, through the steering wheel. And next thing you know, your steering wheel will be bouncing. You might not mind it at first, but trust me: It will get worse.

Weird noises

You probably know this by now, but weird noises coming from your car can’t be good. Lots of different things in your car can make lots of different weird noises. If your front upper control arm is having a bad day, then it will likely make a knocking noise. That noise is annoying, which is a very good thing, because let’s be honest: You wouldn’t give it the time of day otherwise. That annoying knocking noise will just get worse as the front upper control arm wears down more and more. So, don’t just hope for the best. Instead, get it taken care of.

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. You straighten out the wheel, and the car just drifts back again. No, you’re not going crazy. Your car can pull to the left or the right for a few reasons. Most common among them is uneven wear and tear on your tires. However, a busted front upper control arm can cause your car to pull to one side or the other.

Uneven wear on your tires

Pulling is often caused by uneven wear on your tires, and vice versa. A malfunctioning front upper control arm can cause your wheels to be improperly aligned, which will make your tires wear unevenly. It’s a good idea to visually inspect your tires with some regularity, so you can spot issues before they get too severe.