Parts for your 2009 Toyota Bb-Control arms

2009 Toyota bB Control Arms — What They Do and How to Look After Them

Control arms are absolutely used on the 2009 Toyota bB. Toyota’s New Car Features and Repair Manual for the QNC20/21 series specifies a front MacPherson strut suspension with a front lower control arm. The Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue also lists a “Front Lower Arm Sub-Assembly” for this model year. At the back, the bB runs a torsion-beam axle, so there aren’t traditional rear control arms there—just the beam and trailing arm arrangement.

On the 2009 Toyota bB, the front lower control arms form the sturdy link between the chassis and the front wheel hub/knuckle. They locate the wheel fore–aft and laterally, manage camber and caster geometry, and let the suspension move smoothly up and down via rubber bushes and a ball joint. In short, they help the bB steer true, brake straight, and keep road harshness out of the cabin—ideal for city errands and longer Kiwi and Aussie road trips alike.

Because these arms work hard, their bushes and ball joints wear over time. Owners may notice clunks over bumps, a light knock on take-off or braking, vague steering, or uneven tyre wear. A bB that wanders on the motorway, shimmies under braking, or won’t hold an alignment is also putting a hand up for control-arm attention. Visual tells include cracked or torn bushes, perished dust boots, or any sign the arm is bent from a kerb strike or pothole hit.

As part of routine servicing, it’s smart to:

• Inspect bushes and ball joints every 20,000–30,000 km or annually, especially if driving on coarse-chip or unsealed roads.
• Check dust boots for splits and any grease seepage, and listen for knocks on test drives over speed humps.
• Replace arms in pairs left/right for balanced handling, and always book a wheel alignment afterwards.
• Torque pivot bolts at normal ride height to avoid pre-loading new bushes.
• Choose quality arms or bushes (rubber for comfort, polyurethane for sharper feel, with a slight rise in NVH).

Many aftermarket assemblies come complete with bushes and ball joint, which can be more cost-effective and quicker to fit. If the vehicle is mainly a city commuter with the odd country run, expect serviceable life to vary with kilometres and climate—age hardens rubber as much as distance does. Keep an ear out, keep the alignments current, and the bB’s front end will stay tidy and predictable.

Popular questions

How long do control-arm bushes last on a 2009 Toyota bB?
In typical Aussie and NZ conditions, owners often see 80,000–150,000 km from front control-arm bushes, but it’s highly dependent on road quality, driving style, and age. Even low‑kilometre cars can show bush cracking after a decade. A quick check at each service, and a thorough look every 40,000–60,000 km, helps catch issues early.

Can just the bushes or ball joint be replaced, or is a complete arm better?
Both approaches are common. Press-in bushes and separate ball joints can be fitted where available and done properly. However, many technicians prefer complete arms because they come pre-bushed with a new ball joint, save labour time, and avoid press-fit variables. If one side is shot, doing both sides and aligning the front end is a tidy, reliable fix.

Do I need an alignment after changing control arms?
Yes—at minimum, a front alignment is needed because ride height and geometry shift once bushes and joints are renewed. Camber and caster can change slightly on the bB after work at the lower arm, so ask for a full alignment check. The rear torsion-beam isn’t adjustable, but verifying all four corners ensures straight tracking and even tyre wear.