How do I know if my Volkswagen car lower arm is bad?

Hey, Volkswagen enthusiasts! Your car is well-known for its powerful performance, sleek design, and comfortable interior. But despite being such an excellent invention, its various auto parts may act up over time and hamper the overall quality of the ride. One of the most significant vehicle components often ignored by drivers is the suspension system which is responsible for absorbing the shock and impact from the road surface, offering you a smooth driving experience. But this entire system is a combination of various elements working together, and one of them is the lower arm, whose key role is to maintain proper wheel alignment and reduce abnormal shudders by cushioning road impacts. Thus, a worn-out lower arm can not only affect vehicle control but also cause tire imbalance, creating hazardous situations while driving. Calm down! Let’s simplify the symptoms indicating your Volkswagen’s lower control arm failure so that you can easily recognize the trouble and fix it effectively to get everything back on track.

Unusual clunking or knocking sounds

One of the early symptoms of a faulty lower arm is hearing loud and odd knocking or clunking noises while hitting bumps or potholes. But what can be the root cause of it? You may hear these sounds, especially from your car’s front end, when the bushings or ball joints in the lower control arm wear out. Usually, these components act as a buffer within the suspension and wheels, reducing impact. So, when they deteriorate due to aging or frequent usage, the metal pieces can bang together, producing strange sounds. If you notice the noise worsen over time, you must visit the nearest Volkswagen service center and seek professional assistance to check and fix the trouble before it escalates, draining your wallet on heavy expenditures.

Vehicle tilting to one side

Sometimes, you might feel your car tilting either to the left or right, even if you are trying hard to drive straight, which is not a good sign at all. This might happen when the control arm malfunctions because worn-out bushings or the arm itself can throw off your car’s properly aligned wheels. Your vehicle may start pulling to one side instead of staying straight as the steering wheel struggles to stay centered. In this case, you have to adjust the steering wheel constantly to stay straight which isn’t just irritating—it’s unsafe, particularly when driving with higher speed or in heavy traffic areas. Thus, you must consult with a trusted mechanic to identify whether the problem stems from the lower arm or due to misaligned wheels.

Steering wheel feels wobbly or unsteady

When the lower arm fails, the steering wheel may feel loose, unsteady, or not quite right. Since this part plays a key role in linking the wheels to the frame if it wears out or breaks, your car will be harder to control, reducing handling precision. In addition, you may feel excessive looseness in the steering wheel, making it too easy to turn and sluggish in response. This occurs when the bushings or joints wear out, losing their ability to keep things stable. Thus, you must fix the loose steering wheel as early as possible as it can make your driving difficult and risky, especially at higher speeds—so get it inspected immediately.

Irregular tire wear

Are your car’s front tires having more wear and tear on one side compared to the other? Well, uneven tire wear can be another warning sign since a damaged control arm may mess up your vehicle’s wheel alignment. This ultimately reduces the tire durability and makes your car harder to control, impacting your car’s grip on the road. Thus, if you are replacing the tires too frequently as they wear out prematurely, the poor lower arm might be the hidden culprit.

Winding up

Your Volkswagen’s lower control arm has a critical function to operate the suspension system. So, when it wears out, warning signs appear. From odd sounds and uneven tire wear to steering issues and jerky rides, always pay attention to them and take immediate action. Since the lower arm is a complex suspension part, you must handle this on your own. So, don’t hesitate to hire a learned technician to inspect, diagnose, and restore the faulty component to enjoy a smoother, safer ride.

Bimmer Performance is a leading luxury automotive service and repair facility that is known for its experience in looking after high-end European cars like Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, Mini, Porsche, and Volkswagen.