Your Selected Vehicle
Parts for your 2017 Suzuki Splash-Control arms
Explore 4WD & Adventure
2017 Suzuki Splash control-arms: what they do and when to replace them
Control-arms are absolutely used on the 2017 Suzuki Splash. The front suspension is a MacPherson strut layout with a lower control-arm and stabiliser link. This configuration is documented in Suzuki’s factory Service Manual (Chassis – Front Suspension) and is mirrored in the Suzuki/Maruti Electronic Parts Catalogue for the Splash/Ritz, as well as common aftermarket catalogues from major suspension brands that list complete front lower arms and separate bushes/ball joints for Splash models up to the late production run.
On the Splash, the front lower control-arm locates the hub and keeps the wheel tracking straight while the suspension moves up and down. The rubber bushes soak up vibration and the ball joint allows steering and vertical travel without binding. When these bits wear, the car can feel vague, make knocks over potholes, and chew through tyres faster than it should.
As part of routine servicing on a 2017 Splash, it’s smart to check the control-arm bushes and the ball joint for cracking, oil swelling, free play, or torn dust boots. In Aussie and Kiwi conditions, many owners see bush or ball-joint wear anywhere from about 80,000 to 150,000 km, sooner if the car lives on rough roads or hops lots of kerbs. Replacement can be either just the worn bushes/ball joint or the whole arm assembly, depending on condition and what’s most cost‑effective.
- Listen and feel for clunks on bumps, shudder under braking, wandering at highway speeds, or uneven tyre wear on the edges.
- Inspect bushes and ball joint at each service or every 20,000 km, look for cracks, splits, or play.
- If replacing bushes, use quality rubber or polyurethane to suit comfort vs control, a complete arm can save labour and restores the ball joint too.
- Always torque arm bolts with the vehicle at normal ride height to avoid preloading the bushes.
- Book a wheel alignment after any arm, bush, or ball-joint work to keep tyre wear even and steering true.
- Consider replacing both front arms if one side is badly worn or corroded so handling stays balanced.
- While you’re there, check sway‑bar links and strut mounts—they often wear alongside the arms.
Looked after properly, fresh control-arms make the Splash feel tight, quiet, and confident, with tidy steering and tidy tyre wear.
Popular questions about 2017 Suzuki Splash control-arms
Do I need an alignment after changing a control-arm?
Yes—an alignment is recommended every time a control-arm, bush, or ball joint is changed. The arm sets key geometry, so getting camber and toe back where they should be protects tyres and keeps the Splash tracking straight.
Can I replace just the bushes, or is a complete arm better?
Both are valid. If the arm itself is straight and the ball joint is healthy, pressing in new bushes can be economical. If the ball joint is loose or the arm is rusty, a complete arm often saves time, gives all-new wear parts, and can be better value overall.
What are the signs my Splash control-arms are worn?
Common giveaways are clunks over speed humps, steering shimmy on rough roads, pulling or tramlining, and uneven tyre wear. Visual checks may show cracked bushes or a torn ball-joint boot with grease leakage.
