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Do I Need New Control Arms for a Lift Kit?

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Shirley Hester
Do I Need New Control Arms for a Lift Kit?

When you install a lift kit on your vehicle, you want to ensure that all its components work harmoniously. One of the essential elements of any lift kit is the control arms.

These specialized parts provide better handling and stability during off-roading and improved ride quality. Additionally, they reduce friction on other suspension components, providing longer lifespans for various vehicle components.


It's possible to replace your control arms with a lift kit if you need to, and this post will explain when it's necessary and why it's beneficial. Continue reading to learn more.


When Do I Need to Replace My Control Arms?


Worn bushings or ball joints can cause excessive vibration or bouncing while driving and uneven tire wear patterns. Additionally, misaligned steering and suspension components can be caused by damaged control arm components like cracked, bent, or broken control arms.


If any of these signs are present, it’s time to consider replacing your control arms to restore the proper function of your vehicle’s suspension system.


Benefits of New Control Arms for a Lift Kit



When considering lift kits for your vehicle, one component that needs to be considered is the control arms. Here are some of the benefits that come with replacing your control arms with a lift kit:


1. Improved Ride Quality


The improved ride quality when installing new control arms with a lift kit is due to their ability to absorb shocks from road irregularities better. The new control arm helps reduce cabin vibration and improve overall ride comfort.


The hardened material in aftermarket control arms also helps dissipate heat faster than stock control arms, leading to an even smoother ride experience.


2. Increased Clearance


New control arms offer increased ground clearance, allowing drivers to explore more rugged terrain confidently, knowing they won’t bottom out or damage vital suspension components.


An increase in clearance results in less drag on underbody parts such as skid plates, exhausts, or even fuel tanks which would otherwise be at risk of getting damaged or snagged while driving on rough terrains.


3. Better Handling and Stability


Adding a new set of reinforced aftermarket control arms improves overall vehicle stability by providing greater strength than stock parts alone.


The improved rigidity ensures that all four wheels remain firmly planted on the ground during tight cornering maneuvers while maintaining a comfortable ride quality over rough surfaces.


This allows drivers to take turns with more incredible speed and confidence, knowing that their suspension system is working optimally and isn’t going to let them down piece by piece over time.


As some inferior stock parts may do due to lack of quality material construction or inadequate engineering design principles being implemented during production.


4. Reduces Wear on Other Suspension Parts


The improved shock absorption capabilities provided by new control arms reduce the stress placed on other suspension components such as tie rods, ball joints, sway bars, shocks, springs, etc...


This leads to less wear-and-tear on these parts over time, resulting in longer serviceable life-cycles further contributing towards cost savings when it comes time for repairs or replacements down the road due to regular use or off-road adventures involving harsh terrain conditions where extra cushioning is needed most.


5. Longer Lifespan of Vehicle Components


New control arms help make cars last longer. They do this by absorbing shocks better than factory parts when braking suddenly or driving over bumps.

This reduces strain on brakes, which helps brake pads and rotors last longer since they don't have to work as hard with the extra support from the stronger new parts.


Installation Process for Replacing Control Arms in a Lift Kit:




Before beginning the installation process for replacing the control arms on a lift kit, it’s essential to prepare the area and take safety precautions like wearing protective eyewear and gloves.


After that, disconnect the steering links or suspension links that may be attached to the control arms before removing them from the vehicle.

To install new parts, position them in their correct places on the vehicle according to manufacturer specifications before connecting them back up with any steering linkage or suspension links that were removed earlier.


Finally, test your car and make the necessary final adjustments before properly torqueing all bolts and nuts.


Conclusion


A successful lift kit installation depends on new control arms. They increase handling and stability while improving ride quality and reducing suspension wear.

If you want to upgrade your current setup or have recently installed a lift kit, installing new ones is worth considering gaining these benefits and keeping your vehicle in top condition.

 

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Shirley Hester
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