Contents
How Much Does A Lower Arms Replacement Cost in the UK?
How much does it cost to replace the lower arms of a vehicle?
Signs your car lower control arms need a replacement
Frequently asked questions about lower arms replacement cost
How Much Does A Lower Arms Replacement Cost in the UK?
The lower arms or wishbones of a car suspension are two steel or aluminium arms located between the wheels and the chassis. They serve to support the weight of the car and keep the wheels in contact with the ground. The lower arms also provide the suspension with its ability to absorb shocks and vibrations from the road allowing for a smoother ride.
Due to the location of the lower arms and the constant wear and tear, they are susceptible to damage over time and will need to be replaced to ensure smooth handling and suspension support for the vehicle.
How much does it cost to replace the lower arms of a vehicle?
The average cost of replacing a lower arm is £150, with prices ranging from £120 and £180. You can expect to pay slightly less if the rear lower arm needs to be replaced, as its average cost is about £135. The exact price of the suspension lower arms replacement depends largely on your car and the parts recommended by the manufacturer.
Your location can also be a key factor in determining the price of a suspension lower arm replacement. For example, average hourly labour rates and demand in cities like London is around £50-£100 while in towns with lower demand, the labour rates can range from £35-£50. The type of mechanic, for example, a mobile mechanic vs a dealership garage technician can also affect the total cost of a suspension lower arm replacement.
Average cost of a lower arms replacement by location
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | £140 |
| Bristol | £176 |
| Glasgow | £133 |
| Leeds | £129 |
| Liverpool | £143 |
| London | £164 |
| Manchester | £151 |
| Newcastle | £159 |
| Sheffield | £151 |
To avoid having car owners overpaying and get a fair price for lower arms replacement, we use real-time data of thousands of car makes and model data, local labour prices for lower arms repairs and part prices to provide an instant fair quote. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an instant price for suspension lower arms replacement for your car.
Average cost of a lower arms replacement by manufacturer
| Car Make | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Audi | £153 |
| BMW | £151 |
| Citroen | £157 |
| Ford | £136 |
| Honda | £158 |
| Hyundai | £111 |
| Kia | £127 |
| Land Rover | £158 |
| Mercedes-Benz | £183 |
| Nissan | £173 |
| Peugeot | £154 |
| Renault | £200 |
| Toyota | £173 |
| Vauxhall | £146 |
| Volkswagen | £155 |
Signs your car lower control arms need a replacement
- Vibrating steering wheel
- Difficulty controlling the vehicle or poor handling
- Clunking noises
- Uneven tyre wear
- Irregular braking
Steering wheel vibrates
The lower arms help reduce vibrations, resulting in a smooth and safe driving experience. In the event they fail or get damaged, the lower arms will not be able to reduce vibrations as effectively as they should and you may feel your steering wheel vibrating or the bottom of your vehicle's chassis shaking aggressively.
Uneven tyre wear
A damaged control arm will cause the wheel to be misaligned which will cause the tyres to wear unevenly.
Knocking or clunking noises
Your vehicle is likely to make a clunking noise when one or more of its control arm bushes or ball joints fail. It usually occurs when driving over hills or uneven terrain, and the clunking noise will occur around the wheel with the bad control arm.
Frequently asked questions about lower arms replacement cost
Is it worth replacing control arms?
Yes, if the lower arms are found to be damaged it is worth getting them replaced. A damaged control arm will cause your car to vibrate, pull to one side of the road, and can even cause your steering to feel loose which can be a safety hazard.
Additionally, control arms are subject to wear and tear which can affect the ride quality. Replacing old and worn-out control arms can reduce vibrations resulting in a smoother and safer driving experience.
Can I drive with a damaged lower control arm?
A damaged lower arm can interfere with a driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely. It is not safe to drive with damaged control arms as it can make it difficult to steer the vehicle. In addition, the arm may not be able to adequately support the weight of the wheel, making it difficult to keep the vehicle under control.
How many control arms does a car have?
Most cars have two control arms with rubber bushing or ball joints at the end while bigger vehicles may have four control arms (two lower and two upper).
Is the lower control arm the same as the ball joint?
No, they are two different parts. The lower control arm (LCA) is the lower portion of the suspension that the wheel hub is attached to via the ball joint. The lower control arm also has a bushing that helps cushion road bumps. The ball joint is what allows the LCA to pivot so that the wheel can move up and down. Some lower ball joints are only replaceable with a completely new LCA.
How long does a suspension lower arm replacement take?
A suspension lower arm replacement usually takes around 1 hour, but can take less or more time.
Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic
Can I carry out a suspension lower arm replacement myself?
Replacing a suspension lower arm requires expert mechanic skills and knowledge and the car to be lifted up. Additionally, the job needs special tools and equipment such as jack stands, a hydraulic jack, pry bars, pliers, breaker bars, joint separators, etc.
Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a suspension lower arm replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price upfront.
What else could be the problem if my suspension lower arm isn’t broken?
It could be one or more of the following car parts that are faulty:
- Anti-roll bar bushes or drop links, the links have bushes and ball joints that wear and become noisy
- Shock absorbers - if you notice a loud clunking noise, it’s possible that the shock absorbers are worn out and are not able to absorb the impact of rough terrain
- Steering components - tie rod ends or the steering linkage could be an issue
- Exhaust system - a loose component or a damaged exhaust pipe, for example, can sound very similar to the noise caused by a faulty lower arm
What happens during a suspension lower arm replacement?
- Mechanic jacks the car safely and removes the wheels.
- Mechanic will inspect the suspension arms and bushes.
- Mechanic replaces the lower suspension arm, if faulty.
- Mechanic will advise if other components need to be replaced (like the bushes).
- Mechanic will check the suspension operation and takes car for a test drive.
- Mechanic will make adjustments where necessary.
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Suspension Lower Arm replacement models
BMW Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Citroen Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Iveco Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Jaguar Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Land Rover Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Mercedes-Benz Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
MINI Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Nissan Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Rover Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Saab Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
SEAT Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Subaru Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Suzuki Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Vauxhall Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Volkswagen Front suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Alfa Romeo Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Citroen Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Fiat Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Ford Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Land Rover Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
MINI Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Mitsubishi Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Rover Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Vauxhall Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Volkswagen Front suspension lower arm bushes (one side) replacement estimates
Citroen Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Fiat Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Ford Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Iveco Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Jaguar Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Land Rover Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Lexus Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Mercedes-Benz Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
MG Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
MINI Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Mitsubishi Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Nissan Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Peugeot Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Porsche Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Renault Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Saab Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Skoda Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Smart Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Suzuki Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Vauxhall Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Volkswagen Front suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
BMW Rear suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Kia Rear suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Land Rover Rear suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Mercedes-Benz Rear suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Nissan Rear suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Peugeot Rear suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Rover Rear suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Skoda Rear suspension lower arm bushes (both sides) replacement estimates
Audi Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Ford Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Kia Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Land Rover Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Mazda Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Peugeot Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Porsche Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Saab Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
SEAT Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Vauxhall Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates
Volkswagen Rear suspension lower arms (both) replacement estimates