Some of the most critical components in an automobile are contained within a vehicle’s steering and suspension systems. These are important for efficient and safe vehicle operation. One of the most important components of this subsystem is a vehicle’s control arms.
Control Arm is affixed to an outboard-mounted hub at one end, and a vehicle’s frame at its opposing end. Bushings are positioned within control arms frame mounts, thereby preventing excessive wear under continuous movement. Control arms allow vehicles wheels to pivot up and down, with respect to the fixed position of the frame itself.
A vehicle’s control arms allow each front wheel to move vertically, in retaliation to the vehicle’s frame. This movement is cushioned via the use of shocks/struts, which absorb the vibrations from the road. At its outer end, a control arm is connected to its corresponding wheel hub through a ball joint.
Many automobiles feature both upper and lower control arms, which operate together to secure the subassembly. Control Arm is subjected to rough road conditions, so it needs to be made with the right stiffness, hardness, and assembly methods.
The majority of Control Arms are made of Cast Iron. There are some, however, made from Stamped Steel, Cast Aluminum as well as Forged Steel. Cast Iron offers the best combination of design flexibility (shape, size, machining) and strength. They are painted to achieve the corrosion resistance needed.
Metrics Works Effingham has been making high-volume Control Arms for Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru for over 12+ years. They have made more than 5 million over that span. We also specialize in small batch auto manufacturing, including service parts and high-mix-low-volume production runs on a 3-axis or 5-axis machining centers to achieve the tight tolerance and demanding finishes this application requires.
Reach out to sales@metricsworks.com to learn more.