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Parts for your 2015 Ford Ranger-Control arms
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2015 Ford Ranger control arms: what’s fitted and how to look after them
Based on technical documentation — including the Ford Workshop Manual (Section 204-01 Front Suspension) for the PX Ranger (2012–2015), the Ford Electronic Parts Catalogue for the same platform, and AU/NZ service manuals from Gregory’s/Haynes — the 2015 Ford Ranger is fitted with upper and lower control arms on the front independent suspension. The rear is a leaf‑sprung live axle and doesn’t use control arms.
On the front end, the control arms form the “double wishbone” setup that locates the hub and wheel, manages camber and caster through suspension travel, and keeps steering feel tidy on and off road. Each arm uses rubber (or sometimes polyurethane) bushes at the chassis side and a ball joint at the steering knuckle end. Together with the strut and stabiliser bar, they’re what keep the Ranger tracking straight, soaking up corrugations, and stopping the tyres from scrubbing out.
As part of servicing, it’s smart to inspect the control arms, bushes, and ball joints at each service or at least every 10,000–15,000 km — especially if the ute tows, carries loads, or sees beach runs and rough tracks. Look for split or leaking ball joint boots, torn or perished bushes, cracked welds, or shiny witness marks from arm-to-frame contact. Tell‑tales behind the wheel include clunks over bumps, vague steering, wandering on the motorway, and uneven tyre wear.
When replacement time comes, many 2015 Rangers use an integrated upper ball joint (supplied with the upper arm). The lower ball joint may be separate or arm-integrated depending on variant and supplier, check by VIN or part number. A few practical pointers:
- Always torque the control arm bolts with the vehicle at normal ride height (arms loaded) to avoid preloading new bushes.
- Replace any torque-to-yield fasteners as specified in the workshop manual.
- Book a full wheel alignment afterwards, camber and caster are affected when arms or bushes are changed.
- If upgrading to polyurethane bushes for sharper response, expect a touch more NVH compared with OEM rubber.
- While in there, check sway bar links, strut mounts, and front CV boots — it saves doing the job twice.
With quality parts and correct install, front control arms on a PX Ranger commonly run 80,000–150,000 km. Heavy off‑road use, lift kits, wider wheels, or salted/coastal environments can shorten that window, so regular checks are well worth it for safety, tyre life, and a ute that feels bang‑on to drive.
FAQs
Do 2015 Ford Rangers have control arms front and rear?
Yes at the front — they use upper and lower control arms in a double‑wishbone independent setup. The rear is a leaf‑spring live axle, so there are no rear control arms on the 2015 Ranger.
How long do control arm bushes and ball joints last on a 2015 Ranger?
Many owners see 80,000–150,000 km from OEM bushes and ball joints in normal use. Frequent off‑road work, heavy loads, wider tyres, or harsh environments can bring that down, so regular inspection is key.
Do I need a wheel alignment after replacing control arms?
Absolutely. Changing arms, bushes, or ball joints alters camber and caster on the front end. A proper alignment restores tyre life, steering feel, and braking stability.
