Symptoms
- Clunk or knock from the front end during braking or over bumps
- Vague or slightly wandering steering feel
- Uneven tire wear on the affected side
Likely causes
- CommonRubber control arm bushing deteriorated with ageRubber bushings dry out, crack, and lose their ability to control arm movement precisely.
- PossibleBushing damaged by an impactHitting a large pothole hard can tear or damage a bushing suddenly.
What to do
- Have a mechanic inspect control arm bushings for visible cracking, tearing, or excessive play using a pry bar with the car on a lift.
- Note when the clunk happens most, such as during braking, acceleration, or over bumps, and mention it during inspection.
- Check for uneven tire wear on the same side as the suspected bushing.
- Replace the worn bushing or the full control arm assembly, depending on what's more practical for your vehicle.
- Have an alignment check done after the repair, since bushing wear and replacement can affect alignment settings.
Tools and parts
Control arm bushing or control arm assemblySearch: “control arm bushing for [your car model]”
When to call a pro
A shop can confirm bushing wear with a pry bar test on a lift, which is difficult to do safely and accurately without one.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.