Control arm

<h2 id="macpherson-strut">MacPherson strut</h2>
<p class="note">Further information: <a href="/facts/MacPherson_strut/WuS17Y1W">MacPherson strut</a></p>
<p>Control arms are most commonly encountered as part of the MacPherson strut <a href="/facts/Independent_front_suspension/YFuUwIKI">independent front suspension</a>. The control arms are <a href="/facts/Perpendicular/u0k8xqx4">perpendicular</a> to the axis of the vehicle and are termed <i><a href="/facts/Axle_track/0AeEll5T">track</a> control arms</i>. A diagonal <i>radius rod</i> constrains the strut from moving forward and back.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a>
</p><p>In MacPherson's original design, an <a href="/facts/Anti-roll_bar/aMTs2upI">anti-roll bar</a> also acted as the radius rod. This requires the bar to be attached through a ball joint, so as to also provide longitudinal control. In most contemporary designs, still commonly termed MacPherson struts, the radius rod and anti-roll bar are now separate, with the anti-roll bar mounted in a sliding bush.
</p>
<h2 id="spring-attachment">Spring attachment</h2>

<p>A control arm may be used to carry the suspension load and transmit them to the spring or <a href="/facts/Shock_absorber/2FGD4PNh">shock absorber</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Torsion_bar_suspension/g7gsjB04">Torsion bar suspension</a> commonly does this, with the outboard end of the <a href="/facts/Torsion_bar/g7gsjB04">torsion bar</a> attached to the inboard bearing of the control arm.
</p>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Double_wishbone_suspension/eHR316F5">Double wishbone suspension</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_auto_parts/6cX2e2qH">List of auto parts</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>"What Does a Control Arm Do?". MTC Parts. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 2024-09-23. <a href="https://www.mtcparts.com/what-does-a-control-arm-do/" target="_blank">https://www.mtcparts.com/what-does-a-control-arm-do/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>V.A.W., Hillier (1991). "60: Independent Front Suspension". Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology (4th ed.). Stanley Thornes. pp. 368–369. ISBN 0-7487-05317. <a href="0-7487-05317" target="_blank">0-7487-05317</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>V.A.W., Hillier (1991). "60: Independent Front Suspension". Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology (4th ed.). Stanley Thornes. pp. 368–369. ISBN 0-7487-05317. <a href="0-7487-05317" target="_blank">0-7487-05317</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:4"><p>Hillier 1991, pp. 373–374 - V.A.W., Hillier (1991). "60: Independent Front Suspension". Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology (4th ed.). Stanley Thornes. pp. 368–369. ISBN 0-7487-05317. <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:5"><p>Hillier 1991, pp. 371–372 - V.A.W., Hillier (1991). "60: Independent Front Suspension". Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology (4th ed.). Stanley Thornes. pp. 368–369. ISBN 0-7487-05317. <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

Control arm open-in-new

Control arm