A worn control arm bushing causes vague steering and a thunk over bumps. A worn ball joint causes clunking on turns and — in advanced failure — can separate. For Kenmore drivers on SR-522 and the Lake Washington loop routes, Tom's B&M Auto inspects both failure points with wheel loaded and unloaded before quoting, then performs a four-wheel alignment same day after replacement.
Lift inspection with wheel loaded and unloaded: bushing deflection check, ball joint axial and radial play check. Ball joints are checked in both positions — some only show play at full droop.
Complete control arm installed with new bushings and ball joint pre-installed. We stock complete arms for Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and common domestic makes. Opposite side arm inspected — failure often appears in pairs.
Four-wheel alignment performed same day — control arm position directly affects camber and toe. Post-repair road test to confirm noise resolution.
Pressing new bushings into a worn control arm saves $30-$50 in parts and takes longer in labor than installing a complete arm. Complete arms come with bushings and ball joints factory-pressed to spec — better alignment and longer life than field-pressed bushings in a used arm.
Ball joint failure is a safety issue. A ball joint that separates causes the wheel to collapse inward and the vehicle to drop suddenly to the ground. We replace ball joints when they show measurable play — we don't tell you to monitor it and come back.
Pre-assembled with new bushings and ball joint for Honda, Toyota, Subaru, domestics.
Opposite side arm inspected — worn arms often appear in pairs.
Four-wheel alignment included same day after control arm replacement.
Control arm replacement includes loaded and unloaded wheel inspection (bushing deflection, ball joint play), complete control arm installation with new bushings and ball joint, opposite side arm inspection, and four-wheel alignment same day.
From Tom's B&M Auto - serving Kenmore and the greater Seattle metro.
Tom's B&M Auto · 17820 Hwy 99, Suite E, Lynnwood · Serving greater Seattle
Also serving: Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, Mukilteo, Kenmore, Alderwood Manor