Parts for your 2018 Suzuki Splash-Control arms

2018 Suzuki Splash control arms — fitment, purpose and servicing tips

Control arms are used on the 2018 Suzuki Splash. Technical sources describing the Splash/Agila B platform confirm a front MacPherson strut suspension with a single lower arm (also called a control arm or wishbone) per side, and a rear torsion-beam axle without separate control arms. See: Suzuki Splash Service Manual (Chassis/Front Suspension section: MacPherson strut with lower arm), the Suzuki Electronic Parts Catalogue for Splash listing “Front lower arm, RH/LH,” and GM/Opel Agila B (sister model) chassis documentation noting the same front layout and torsion-beam rear. That means “front control arms” are relevant on a 2018-registered Splash, “rear control arms” are not used because the rear is a beam axle.

On the 2018 Suzuki Splash, the front control arms keep the front wheels located and stable while the struts do the springing and damping. Each arm pivots on rubber bushes at the subframe and carries a ball joint at the knuckle, letting the wheel move up and down without steering or braking shake. Healthy arms and bushes help with straight-line tracking, even tyre wear, and tidy steering feel over bumpy Kiwi and Aussie roads.

During routine servicing, it’s smart to inspect the arms, bushes and ball joints every 20,000 km or 12 months, or sooner if the car cops a kerb strike or pothole hit. Look for torn bushes, cracked rubber, leaking ball joints, loose ball-joint boots, bent arms, and any corrosion around mounting points. Typical clues something’s up include:

• Clunks or knocks over speed humps
• Steering wander, shimmy, or vague on-centre feel
• Uneven inner/outer tyre wear and braking instability

If replacement’s needed, many techs recommend doing control arms in pairs to keep handling balanced. Some Splash arms come with the ball joint pre-fitted, others require pressing in. Always torque fasteners with the vehicle at normal ride height to avoid preloading the bushes, and book a wheel alignment straight after. Replace any single-use (stretch) bolts if specified by the service manual, and consider quality OEM-equivalent bushes if the original ride and NVH are important.

For drivers who mostly do city commuting, control-arm bushes often last well past 100,000 km, but cars that see rougher rural roads may need attention earlier. Keeping tyres at correct pressures and avoiding hard impacts will prolong bush and ball-joint life, saving coin and keeping the Splash feeling tight.

• Do the rear wheels on a 2018 Suzuki Splash have control arms?
  The rear of the Splash uses a torsion-beam axle, so there aren’t separate rear control arms. Instead, the beam and trailing arm assembly locates both rear wheels. rear bush wear can still cause clunks or rear-end steer, but you won’t be replacing “rear control arms” as such.
• What are the common signs the front control-arm bushes are worn?
  Expect clunks on bumps, a thud on take-off or braking, vague steering, and uneven tyre wear. On inspection you might see cracked or split rubber and excessive movement when levering the arm. A wheel alignment that won’t hold is another giveaway.
• Should the control arms be replaced or can the bushes and ball joints be done separately?
  It depends on parts availability and workshop gear. Many Splash arms are available complete with bushes and ball joint, which is quick and reliable. If the arm’s straight and you’ve got a press, replacing just the bushes or ball joint can be cost-effective, but the labour time can be higher.