Parts for your 2013 Honda Stream-Control arms

2013 Honda Stream Control Arms — What They Do and When to Replace

Control arms are relevant to the 2013 Honda Stream. Technical sources including Honda’s RN6–RN9 service manual and EPC/parts catalogues specify a MacPherson-strut front suspension with an L-shaped lower control arm and ball joint. At the rear, the second‑gen Stream uses an H‑shaped torsion beam with trailing arms, so there aren’t separate upper/lower “control arms” back there. That means the term “control arms” applies to the front end of the 2013 model.

Up front, the control arms link the steering knuckle to the chassis, guiding the wheel’s movement through the strut’s travel. They keep camber and caster in check, help the tyres hold the road, and soak up harshness via rubber bushes. On the Stream, the large rear “compliance” bush in the lower arm is a known wear point, and the ball joint must be tight and boot intact to keep steering precise.

Owners who want their Stream to feel tidy and predictable should keep an eye on the front control arms as part of routine servicing. A quick look every 20,000–30,000 km (or annually) is a good habit. Tell‑tales that the bushes or ball joints are tired include:

• Clunks over speed humps or driveway lips
• Steering shimmy, tramlining, or a vague on‑centre feel
• Uneven or rapid tyre wear, pulling under braking
• Cracked/torn bushes or a split ball‑joint boot on inspection

When replacement time comes, many workshops fit complete arms with pre‑pressed bushes and a new ball joint—it saves time and avoids pressing headaches. It’s smart to do both sides together to keep braking and turn‑in behaviour even. Always torque the arm bolts at normal ride height (with the suspension loaded), or the bushes can twist and fail early. Finish the job with a proper wheel alignment, small camber/caster changes make a noticeable difference to how the Stream tracks and how the tyres wear.

Quality matters here. Genuine Honda parts or reputable aftermarket arms with OE‑style rubber bushes tend to ride and last better than cheap, overly‑stiff alternatives. If there’s still a knock after fitting arms, check the sway‑bar links and strut mounts—they often fail around the same time. Remember: the rear suspension is a torsion beam, so if there’s a thud from the back it’s more likely a beam bush or shock absorber than a “rear control arm.”

Popular questions

What are the common signs of worn control arm bushes on a 2013 Honda Stream?
Owners often notice clunks over bumps, a wandering feel on the motorway, or feathered tyre edges. A visual check may show cracked or leaking bushes and a torn ball‑joint boot. Any play at the wheel with the car lifted is a red flag.

Do you need a wheel alignment after replacing front control arms?
Yes. Even if everything bolts up cleanly, small geometry shifts can affect camber and toe. An alignment helps the Stream steer straight and protects those front tyres from premature wear.

How long do front control arms typically last?
Driving style and roads matter, but many Stream owners see 80,000–150,000 km before bushes or ball joints get tired. City kerbs, potholes and heavy loads shorten that window, gentle highway use stretches it.