Parts for your 2016 Holden Colorado-Control arms

2016 Holden Colorado Control Arms — What They Do and When to Replace Them

Yes, the 2016 Holden Colorado uses control arms. Technical references including the Holden/GM RG Colorado service manual (MY16) and major aftermarket fitment catalogues (e.g., SuperPro, Moog, Whiteline, Repco) list front upper and lower control arms for the RG-series Colorado. The front suspension is an independent double wishbone with coil-over struts, which by design employs two control arms per side. The rear of the ute rides on leaf springs with a solid axle, so no rear control arms there.

On the front end, the control arms locate the hub and knuckle fore–aft and side-to-side, setting the path the wheel travels through bump and rebound. They carry the bushes and ball joints that let the suspension articulate while keeping steering geometry in check, stabilising camber and caster so the Colorado tracks straight and wears tyres evenly. Cop a few corrugations or spend time towing and those bushes and joints do plenty of work.

Owners should treat control arm inspection as routine servicing, especially if the ute sees off‑road use or heavy loads. Every 20,000 km (or at each service), check for:

• Cracked or oil-soaked rubber bushes, torn ball joint boots, or rust at welds.
• Clunks over bumps, vague steering, or braking pull — common signs of bush or joint wear.
• Uneven or rapid tyre wear and drift on cambered roads.

When it’s time to replace, choose between pressing in new bushes/ball joints or fitting complete arms. Complete arms often save labour and refresh everything in one go, pressing bushes can be cost‑effective if the arm is otherwise mint. For a touring or work ute, quality OE-style rubber bushes keep NVH civil, for beach runs and 4x4ing, heavy‑duty arms and uprated bushes can sharpen control but may add a touch of firmness.

Good workshop practice matters on the Colorado: torque pivot bolts at normal ride height, not at full droop, follow the service manual for any one‑time‑use fasteners, and always book a wheel alignment after arm or bush replacement to reset camber, caster, and toe. Replacing control arms in axle pairs helps keep handling balanced. While you’re there, eyeball sway bar links, tie rod ends, and strut mounts — they often wear alongside the arms.

Look after the control arms and the Colorado will steer cleaner, brake straighter, and treat tyres kindly, whether it’s hauling gear or heading bush for the weekend.

FAQs

Do the 2016 Colorado’s rear wheels have control arms?
No. The rear uses a solid axle with leaf springs and shackles, so there are no rear control arms. Only the front independent suspension has upper and lower control arms.

How long do control arm bushes and ball joints last on a 2016 Colorado?
It varies with use. Many see 80,000–150,000 km on-road. Frequent towing, corrugations, or beach work can shorten that. Inspect every service and replace at the first sign of play, torn boots, or perished rubber.

Do you need a wheel alignment after replacing control arms?
Absolutely. Changing arms or bushes affects camber and caster on the double-wishbone front end. A proper alignment right after the job protects tyres and restores safe, predictable steering.