What is a pendulum in a car? Design, operation, signs of wear and suspension replacement

The suspension of a car cannot be one element because of the many functions it performs. It must transmit torque to the wheels, dampen vibrations and at the same time provide the ability to turn. Therefore, in a broad sense, it is a collection of related elements that interact with each other with various effects. 

The negative result of the suspension is progressive wear, which very rarely affects one element, and more often several parts of the structure. Therefore, over time, it may become necessary to replace the pendulum or its components, such as bushings or a pin.

What is a rocker? Principle of operation and design

For the sake of order, it is worth starting with the answer to the main question - what is a pendulum? This is a suspension element made of steel or aluminum, having the shape of an arc, triangle or a straight line. This design allows the installation of rubber-metal bushings and a pin on it. 

The former are responsible for damping vibrations. The pin, in turn, allows you to install the steering knuckle on the pendulum and ensures its retention along the axis of the road and controllability. Thanks to this, you can effectively move the car in a given direction. The main task of the transverse arm is to connect the wheel to the body.. It must be stable and rigid, with the ability to adjust the position of the wheels and eliminate vibrations.

Automotive swing arm and pin - why is it important?

Worn bushings do not dampen vibrations, which can irritate the driver. However, they do not pose a direct threat to the safety of travelers to the same extent as a pin. The principle of operation of the pendulum is based on this element. The pin makes the steering wheel obediently follow the driver's commands immediately after turning the steering wheel. Actually the end of the rocker joint the ball is mounted vertically and fixed in the steering knuckle. Its correct operation is responsible for maintaining the correct direction of rolling of the wheel, and as a result, its installation along the axis of motion and vertically. It is best to present his role with an example.

Imagine that a rocker broke while driving on a highway. The symptoms are clear - knocking and difficulty in managing the track. Also, the machine reacts as if with a delay. If the pin is worn and damaged, the wheel may suddenly become perpendicular to the direction of travel. Do you have any idea what that means at highway speeds?

Rocker arm replacement - signs of element wear

Of course, this is not necessary, but it can, if you neglect the maintenance of the suspension. So how do you know that the pendulum, and in fact its kingpin, is suitable for replacement? First of all, you will learn about the failure of this element by the noticeable noise coming from one or another wheel. Often these are knocks and knocks that are transmitted to the entire steering system and suspension.

As mentioned in the example above, the front wishbone shows signs of poor steering response.. Sometimes you can just notice it in the parking lot when you turn the steering wheel without reaching the steering wheel. It can also spontaneously select a different track while driving, which you will have to correct.

What is the cost to replace and rebuild a wishbone and pivot?

The front swingarm can be regenerated, but also replaced. It is up to you and the mechanic's diagnosis which surgery you decide on. The car's swingarm itself is just a piece of metal.. Its change is justified in case of high mileage, visible damage or corrosion. On the other hand, the pin can be replaced separately, just like the bushings.

You don't need to remove the entire element. For a complete and new replacement, you will pay from 20 euros to more than 50 euros. Remember that some cars have suspension that is more prone to damage. We are talking about such bestsellers as Passat B5, Audi A4 B6 and B7 or Renault Scenic III. In addition, with multi-link suspension, you also need to replace many more components.

Suspension arm - is it worth regenerating?

Since this is a metal element and apart from the pin and sleeve there is nothing in it that could break, is it worth replacing it with a new one right away? This is the assumption of many drivers who send the pendulum for regeneration. Such an operation consists in assessing the performance and wear of individual parts, replacing them if necessary, as well as cleaning in general.

Both pin and bushings rarely fail. For this reason, it is better to replace only those components that need it, rather than buying a whole replacement. How much it costs to replace a pendulum depends on the work being done. The pin itself costs about 10 euros, the same applies to rubber-metal bushings, the prices of which can be even lower. Therefore, sometimes regeneration is more profitable than replacing the entire element. It will be even cheaper if you do the work yourself in the garage.

Independent replacement of suspension arms - how to do it?

Much depends on the complexity of the suspension and the age of the car. These components are not protected by a shell and as a result become vulnerable to water, dirt and corrosion. The first step is to remove the wheel. Next, the pendulum requires unscrewing the mounting bolts from the body and the steering knuckle. This is where the problem can arise, because finding the screws is easy, but unscrewing them can take a long time. 

If you're not interested in completely replacing your suspension arms and only want to rebuild them, you need the right tools. You will need a pin and bushing removal kit, a press, or at least some knowledge and a vise. Otherwise, you won't do it well.

Pendulum - it is worth taking care of it

You can, with a little effort, replace the pendulum yourself. If successful, you save a lot because you don't expose yourself to labor costs. So if you have the opportunity and the space, it's definitely worth it. Otherwise, have an experienced mechanic repair or replace parts.