Parts for your 1996 Ford Falcon-Control arms

1996 Ford Falcon control arms: what they do and how to keep them in top nick

Control arms are absolutely fitted to the 1996 Ford Falcon (EF II and early EL). Technical sources including the Ford EF/EL Falcon Factory Workshop Manual, Gregory’s Service and Repair Manual (EF/EL), and Max Ellery’s EF–EL series manual detail front lower control arms with ball joints and rubber bushes, plus rear trailing/control arms on live-axle models and multi-link control arms on IRS-equipped variants. So, yes—control arms are relevant to this Falcon.

On a 1996 Falcon, the control arms are the unsung heroes of the suspension. They locate the wheels fore/aft and side-to-side, keep camber and caster where they should be, and let the suspension pivot through bumps without sending shudders through the cabin. Each arm uses bushes to isolate noise and vibration, and ball joints to allow smooth steering and vertical movement. Up front, the arms tie the steering knuckle to the subframe, out back, most Falcons of this era run a live rear axle guided by trailing arms, while some higher-spec cars use IRS with multiple control links. Different layouts, same job: keep the tyres planted and geometry stable.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to inspect the control arms every 10,000–15,000 km or at each oil change. Look for cracked or oil-soaked bushes, torn ball joint boots, rust around mounting points, and any witness marks from contact. Typical symptoms that point to tired arms or bushes include:

• Clunks over bumps, front-end shimmy, or a vague, wandering feel on the motorway
• Uneven or rapid inner-edge tyre wear
• Brake shudder or pulling that new rotors and pads don’t fully fix

If replacement’s on the cards, doing both arms on the same axle keeps things balanced. Always torque the bush bolts at ride height (with the car’s weight on the wheels) to avoid pre-loading the rubber—this helps the new bushes last. Fresh hardware is cheap insurance, and a wheel alignment is a must afterwards, toe and, on some models, camber/caster can shift when arms or bushes are changed. For most daily-driven Falcons, quality OEM-style rubber bushes give the best comfort and longevity, polyurethane can sharpen response but may increase noise and harshness.

DIYers should support the car safely, mark alignment cams before removal, and check brake hose and ABS wire routing on refit. In Australia and New Zealand, worn control arms and bushes are a common reason for failing a rego/WOF inspection, so staying ahead of wear saves tyres, improves braking stability, and keeps the big Falcon feeling tight and trustworthy.

Do I need a wheel alignment after changing control arms on a 1996 Falcon?

Yes. Swapping arms or bushes alters suspension geometry, so a proper alignment is essential to protect tyres and restore steering feel. Front alignment is mandatory, rear alignment applies to IRS models, while live-axle cars should still be checked.

How long do control arm bushes and ball joints typically last?

On Aussie and Kiwi roads, expect 80,000–150,000 km depending on driving style, loads, and road surface. City kerbs, big potholes, and fluid leaks can shorten that. A quick check at each service catches issues before they chew out tyres.

Can worn control arms cause brake shudder or vibration?

They can contribute. Perished bushes let the arm and hub move under braking, which can exaggerate rotor thickness variation and create shudder. If shudder persists after brake work, inspect the control arm bushes and ball joints.