A control arm bushing's job is to maintain the control arm aligned while reducing vibration between the frame and the wheels. Vibration is kept to a bare minimum, resulting in a smooth ride with few annoyances.
Metal-on-metal contact is unavoidable in the absence of effective bushings, resulting in increased vibration, driving discomfort, and other annoyances and possibly dangerous issues.
Check MOT history of your car online to see if a worn-out lower control arm bushing was a reason for a previous MOT test to fail. It is a good idea while your car is in with a mechanic for a routine service to request the car mechanic to also complete a full health check so that you are aware of any underlying issues that may need to be addressed sooner.
The link between the suspension and the car chassis is the control arm bushing. The upper control arm and the lower control arm with a side-mounted rubber bushing are the two types of control arms. This rubber sleeve prevents the two metal elements that make up the connection from harming one another.
This rubber not only does this, but it also dampens vibrations caused by shocks and mild jolts in an automobile. Given its location, the effect of rubber, which softens and absorbs vibrations, is superior to that of springs.
The lubrication of the parts is further ensured by the rubber bushing, which often contains oil to reduce friction. A central rod connects the metal sleeve coming from the inside of the suspension to the vehicle frame. Both ends of the outer sleeve are attached to the wheels, allowing the two sleeves to move independently at their ends. As a result, the control arm bushing and the control arm are put under a lot of strain throughout the car's movement and rotation. These bushings get hard and shatter over time, which can cause some issues.
When completing a MOT history check online for your car, if you see that your car previous failed an MOT test due to a bad suspension arm bushing, the only why a MOT tester will fail this part is because it becomes a safety risk if faulty.