Parts for your 2020 Suzuki Splash-Control arms

2020 Suzuki Splash control arms — what they do and when to replace

Control arms are relevant and fitted on the Suzuki Splash. Technical sources including the Suzuki Splash/Opel Agila B factory workshop information and common aftermarket databases (e.g., Autodata and Haynes–style service manuals for the Splash/Agila twin) specify a front MacPherson strut suspension that uses a pressed-steel lower control arm (wishbone) with two rubber bushes and an integral ball joint. The rear axle is a torsion-beam/trailing arm setup without separate control arms. So, for any Splash still on the road in 2020, front lower control arms are part of the suspension and absolutely serviceable items.

The front control arms on a 2020 Suzuki Splash (same hardware as the late-production Splash/Agila B) are the bits that link the front wheels to the chassis and let the suspension move in a controlled arc. Each arm houses rubber bushes to soak up vibration and a ball joint that lets the steering and suspension articulate smoothly. When they’re healthy, the car tracks straight, the steering feels tidy, and tyre wear stays nice and even. When they’re tired, the Splash can feel vague or twitchy, clunk over bumps, or scrub tyres faster than it should.

Servicing-wise, a good rule of thumb is to inspect the control arm bushes and ball joints at every service or at least every 20,000–30,000 kilometres. Look for cracked or oil-soaked bushes, torn ball-joint boots, play in the joint, and any bent arms after a decent kerb strike or pothole. Because the Splash runs a MacPherson-strut front end, the arm’s geometry matters: once there’s excessive play, alignment won’t hold and you’ll chase your tail with tyre wear.

Replacement is straightforward for a trained tech and best done in pairs left and right so handling stays balanced. Use quality arms with OE-style rubber or reputable hydro-bushes if available. Always torque the inner pivot bolts at normal ride height (car settled on its wheels) so the new bushes aren’t preloaded. After any arm replacement, book a wheel alignment to set camber and toe back to spec. If you’re only seeing minor bush deterioration and the ball joint is sound, some workshops can press in new bushes instead of swapping the whole arm, but complete arms are often the quicker, cost-effective option. Keep an ear out for knocks on take-off or over speed bumps and keep an eye on inner-edge tyre wear—both are early hints your Splash’s control arms want attention.

• Common symptoms: clunks over bumps, vague steering, pulling under braking, uneven tyre wear.
• Best practice: replace in pairs, torque at ride height, and align immediately after.
• Inspection interval: every 20,000–30,000 km or after any hard impact.

How do I know my 2020 Suzuki Splash control arm bushes are worn?

Listen for dull knocks over potholes and feel for looseness in the steering, especially when braking or turning into driveways. Uneven or rapid inner-edge tyre wear is another giveaway. A workshop can lever the arm to check bush movement and test ball-joint play with the wheel lifted.

If the rubber is cracked or the arm shifts noticeably under load, it’s time to replace the bushes or the complete arm.

Do I need a wheel alignment after replacing Splash control arms?

Yes. Changing arms or bushes alters the front-end geometry. A post-repair alignment resets toe and camber so the Splash drives straight and the tyres wear evenly. Skipping this step can undo the benefits of the new parts.

Should I replace control arms in pairs on a Splash?

It’s smart to do both fronts together. Age and kilometres affect both sides similarly, and fresh arms across the axle keep handling consistent. You’ll also save on labour and alignment compared with doing each side at different times.