Parts for your 2008 Honda Stream-Control arms

2008 Honda Stream control arms: what they do and when to service them

Control arms are absolutely relevant on the 2008 Honda Stream. Technical references including the Honda Stream (RN6–RN9, 2007–2014) Service Manual and Honda’s Electronic Parts Catalogue specify a MacPherson strut front suspension with a lower control arm, and a multi-link/double-wishbone rear arrangement that also uses control arms. That means control arm arms, bushes and ball joints are serviceable components on this model.

On the 2008 Stream, the control arms link the wheel hubs to the subframe, guiding up-and-down wheel travel while holding alignment steady. The front lower arm houses a ball joint at the knuckle end and rubber (often hydraulic) bushes at the chassis end. These parts keep the tyres planted, manage camber and caster under load, and filter vibration so the cabin stays quiet. At the rear, the multi-link design uses several arms and bushes to control toe and camber changes as the suspension moves, delivering predictable handling and good tyre life.

Like all wear items, control arm bushes and ball joints age from kilometres, road grime, and impacts with potholes or kerbs. Typical signs the 2008 Stream may need attention include:

• Clunks or knocks over bumps, especially from the front lower arm area
• Steering shimmy under braking or at motorway speeds
• Uneven or rapid tyre wear, pulling, or wandering
• Perished, cracked, or oil-soaked arm bushes, torn ball joint boots

Good practice during servicing of a 2008 Honda Stream control arm setup is to inspect bushes and ball joints every 20,000 km or 12 months. If play is present or rubber is split, replace the affected arm or component. Many owners opt to replace control arms in axle pairs to keep handling balanced. Key tips the manuals emphasise:

• Tighten control arm pivot bolts at normal ride height to prevent bush preload and early failure
• Book a four-wheel alignment after any arm, bush, or ball joint replacement
• Use new self-locking nuts/bolts where specified and torque to spec from the Honda workshop manual
• Mark eccentric bolts (rear) before removal to aid alignment setup

Quality OE or reputable aftermarket arms restore the factory feel, and fresh bushes can noticeably improve braking stability and steering precision. For WOF/roadworthy purposes in NZ and Australia, any free play, torn boots, or split bushes in control arms will generally require rectification.

Do 2008 Honda Streams have control arms front and rear?

Yes. Honda’s RN6–RN9 service data shows a front MacPherson strut with a lower control arm and a rear multi-link/double-wishbone system made up of several control arms. Both ends have serviceable arms, bushes, and ball joints.

How long do control arm bushes and ball joints last on a 2008 Stream?

It varies with use, but many see 80,000–150,000 km. Frequent city speed bumps, rough country roads, or heavy loads shorten life. Regular inspections catch minor wear before it affects tyres or handling.

Can worn control arms cause tyre wear or shaking?

They can. Excess bush or ball joint play lets alignment wander, which shows up as feathered or inner-edge tyre wear and can trigger brake shimmy or steering vibration at speed.