Symptoms of failing Rear Control Arm Bushings

Noises

Do I need to tell you that abnormal noises from your car are a bad sign? Well, they are. Other than your bizarre podcast preferences, you shouldn’t hear any weird noises while driving. If your car’s rear control arm bushings are failing, you’re likely to hear a knocking noise. This is the result of the bushings struggling to hold the control arms in place. So, as the car moves, the control arm will rattle around, resulting in some bumping and knocking noises.

Pulling

Pulling is when your car isn’t really driving in a straight line. You’re not moving the steering wheel, but the car is pulling to the left or the right. It’s a weird sensation that can kind of make you feel crazy. Your car can pull to the left or the right for a few reasons, with the most common being uneven wear on your tires. But your car can also begin to pull if the rear control arm bushings are busted. Damaged bushings will impact the alignment of your wheels, which is a common cause of pulling. You also might notice that it’s harder to steer than normal. Always pay attention when the steering in your car doesn’t feel right. Steering is pretty important.

Uneven tire wear

Remember twenty seconds ago, when I said that control arm bushing failure can result in poor alignment? That will also result in the aforementioned uneven wear on your tires. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking the wear of your tires, as it can help you spot problems before they get too severe, like bubbles or excess wear. If you notice wear and tear that’s uneven, it may be due to some malfunctioning rear control arm bushings.