Suspension and Steering Parts at Easy Life Markets
Easy Life Markets sells suspension and steering parts for cars, SUVs and trucks: control arms, ball joints, tie rods, struts, shocks, air suspension parts, coilovers, bushings and steering racks. Most parts are listed by vehicle, year range, position and part number, so you can match the replacement to your vehicle before you order.
If you are not sure what to buy, think about what you feel. Clunks over bumps usually point to worn ball joints, bushings or sway bar links. A bouncy or floaty ride points to tired shocks or struts. A car that sits low at one corner points to a broken spring or a leaking air spring. Vague or heavy steering points to tie rods or the steering rack. Find the worn part, then match it by position and fitment.
What This Category Covers
Suspension holds the body up, keeps the tyres pressed on the road and soaks up bumps. Steering turns the front wheels when you turn the wheel. The two systems share many parts, which is why we keep them in one category. Here is what each group does.
Control arms and ball joints
Control arms connect the wheel hub to the body or subframe. They pivot on bushings at the inner end and on a ball joint at the outer end. Many of our arms come with the ball joint already fitted, which saves pressing work. We stock front lower arm pairs, upper arms, adjustable camber arms and complete kits.
Shocks and struts
Shocks and struts control how fast the suspension moves. Without them, the car keeps bouncing after a bump. A strut also carries the spring and forms part of the steering axis. We carry complete strut and coil spring assemblies, MagneRide and electronic struts, rear air shocks and coilover kits.
Tie rods and steering racks
Tie rods link the steering rack to each wheel. Worn tie rod ends cause play in the steering and uneven tyre wear. The steering rack turns the rotation of the steering wheel into side-to-side movement. Our range includes a complete rack and pinion and a rack repair kit.
Bushings
Bushings are the rubber or polyurethane mounts where arms meet the body. When they crack or tear, you get clunks, wandering and vague handling. Polyurethane bushings are firmer than rubber and are popular for performance builds.
Air suspension parts
Some SUVs and luxury cars use air springs instead of coil springs. When an air spring leaks, the vehicle sags overnight or the compressor runs constantly. We carry rear air shocks for full-size GM SUVs and a front air strut for Land Rover LR3 and LR4.
Signs Your Suspension or Steering Needs Attention
Worn suspension and steering parts rarely fail all at once. They wear slowly, and drivers get used to the change. These are the signs worth acting on.
- Clunks or knocks over bumps. Often ball joints, sway bar links, strut mounts or bushings.
- The car keeps bouncing after a dip. Shocks or struts are worn.
- The nose dives hard under braking. Front struts or shocks are weak.
- The car pulls to one side. Alignment, a worn control arm bushing or a sticking brake.
- Uneven tyre wear. Wear on the inner or outer edge points to alignment or worn joints.
- The steering wheel is off-centre or has play. Tie rod ends, the steering rack or alignment.
- One corner sits low. A broken coil spring or a leaking air spring.
- Oil on the shock body. The shock or strut has lost its seal.
For a clear overview of how all these parts work together, the car suspension article is a good read.
Comparing Suspension and Steering Parts
This table shows what each part does, how it usually fails, and the detail you must match when you order.
| Part | What it does | How it usually fails | Match before ordering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower control arm | Locates the wheel and carries load | Worn bushings or ball joint, clunks | Year, model, drivetrain, side |
| Upper control arm | Sets camber and locates the top of the knuckle | Worn ball joint, wandering | Lift height (trucks), drivetrain |
| Ball joint | Lets the knuckle pivot and steer | Play, knocks, uneven tyre wear | Upper or lower, press-in or bolt-in |
| Complete strut | Damps movement and carries the spring | Leaks, bounce, sagging | Front or rear, 2WD or 4WD, electronic or not |
| Air shock or air spring | Supports load on air | Leaks, sagging overnight | Model, year, part number |
| Coilover kit | Adjustable height and damping | Wear in damper or mounts | Exact chassis generation |
| Tie rod end | Connects rack to the knuckle | Steering play, toe wear | Inner or outer, side |
| Steering rack | Turns the wheels | Leaks, play, heavy steering | Engine, LHD or RHD, part number |
How to Choose the Right Suspension and Steering Parts
Suspension and steering parts are very vehicle-specific. The same model can use different arms for 2WD and 4WD, different struts for electronic and passive damping, and different racks for different engines. Use these checks.
Match year, model and drivetrain
Our listings name the year range, model and, where it matters, the drivetrain. The 2013-2019 Explorer front struts, for example, are listed for FWD models. Lift kits change fitment too: the 2-4 inch lift upper control arms are designed for Escalade and Yukon trucks that have been raised.
Check the position
Front or rear, upper or lower, left or right. Many listings are pairs, such as the Kia Forte lower control arms, and some are single parts. The title tells you which.
Know whether your car has electronic or air suspension
Cars with adaptive damping need the matching electronic strut. The Cadillac XTS front strut pair and the Cadillac CTS MagneRide rear shocks are examples. Fitting a passive strut to a car built with electronic dampers will usually set a warning light.
Compare part numbers
Most of our listings give reference numbers. Compare them with the number on your old part or in your parts catalogue. The 2015-2020 Escalade rear air shocks, for instance, carry the reference 23151122.
Decide between a single part and a kit
If one ball joint is worn on a high-mileage car, the others are usually close behind. A kit replaces them all at once. The Nissan Rogue 10-piece front suspension kit and the 2016-2022 Maxima control arm kit include arms, tie rods and sway bar links in one order.
Kits Versus Single Parts
We get asked this a lot. Here is the honest answer from the parts counter.
- Buy a single part when one component has clearly failed, the car is fairly new or low mileage, and the other joints are tight.
- Buy a pair for struts, shocks and lower control arms. Matching both sides keeps the car level and predictable.
- Buy a full kit on older vehicles, when more than one joint is worn, or when you want to do the job once. You also pay for one alignment instead of several.
Popular Suspension and Steering Parts
These are examples from the current range. The current price and availability are shown on each product page.
- 2007-2011 Camry control arm kit, 14 pieces with lower arms, ball joints, tie rods and sway bar links.
- 2007-2013 Silverado control arm kit with front upper and lower arms and ball joints.
- 2016-2023 Malibu front struts, a pair of complete strut and coil spring assemblies.
- 2008-2012 Accord coilovers, an adjustable coilover kit for the 8th generation Accord.
- LR3 LR4 front air suspension strut, RNB501250 and RNB501580.
- 2014-2019 Corolla steering rack, power rack and pinion for the 1.8L, left-hand drive.
- BMW steering rack repair kit 32106891974 with thrust piece tool.
- BMW E46 polyurethane control arm bushing set for E46 and E85.
Performance and Adjustable Parts
Not every customer is replacing a worn part. Some want to change how the car sits or handles. Coilovers let you set the ride height and, on many kits, the damping. Adjustable camber arms let you correct the wheel angle after lowering or lifting. The Civic rear camber arm kit and the CR-V front camber arms are two examples. Polyurethane bushings make the suspension feel tighter, with a little more road noise than rubber.
For off-road builds, heavy duty adjustable arms such as the Wrangler TJ front lower control arms let you fine-tune the axle position after a lift. Any change in ride height should be followed by a full alignment.
Rubber or Polyurethane Bushings
Bushings are one of the cheapest parts on the car, but they shape how it drives. Rubber bushings are soft and quiet. They absorb vibration well and suit most daily drivers. Polyurethane bushings are firmer. They hold the arms more precisely, so steering feels sharper and the car moves around less under hard braking or cornering. The trade-off is a little more vibration and road noise in the cabin.
Polyurethane bushings also resist oil and wear well. Some need a special grease when fitted, so follow the instructions supplied with them. Our rear lower control arm bushing set comes with metal sleeves, and the S14 S15 suspension retainer bushing is listed for the Nissan 240SX in black or gold.
Repair or Replace a Steering Rack
A steering rack can fail in a few ways. It can leak fluid from the seals, develop play in the gear teeth, or knock over bumps when the internal thrust piece wears. The right fix depends on which of these you have.
If the rack is leaking or worn inside, a complete rack and pinion is usually the sensible choice. It comes ready to fit, and you swap the tie rod ends across or fit new ones. If the rack is sound but knocks, a repair kit may be enough. On some BMW racks the knock comes from a worn thrust piece, and the BMW rack repair kit includes a fitting tool.
After any rack work, bleed the power steering system if it is hydraulic, check for leaks, and have the alignment set. The steering wheel should sit straight when the car drives straight.
Checking Your Suspension at Home
You can do a basic check in ten minutes without special tools. It will not replace a professional inspection, but it tells you where to look.
- The bounce test. Push down hard on each corner and let go. The car should rise and settle once. If it keeps bouncing, the shock or strut on that corner is weak.
- Look at the ride height. Park on level ground and compare both sides. A low corner points to a spring or air spring problem.
- Check the tyres. Run a hand across the tread. Feathered edges or wear on one shoulder point to alignment or worn joints.
- Look for leaks. Oil running down a shock body means it has lost its seal.
- Check the boots. Torn rubber boots on ball joints and tie rod ends let in dirt and water.
- Listen on a slow drive. Drive over a speed bump with the window down. Knocks and creaks help you locate the worn part.
Fitting and Alignment
Suspension and steering parts are safety-critical. The way they are fitted decides how the car steers and brakes.
- Springs are under load. A complete strut assembly removes the need to compress springs yourself. If you must separate a strut and spring, use a proper spring compressor and follow its instructions.
- Tighten bushings at ride height. Many control arm bolts should be torqued with the car sitting on its wheels, not hanging. Tightening them in the air can twist the bushing and shorten its life.
- Use the vehicle maker's torque figures for every nut and bolt, and fit new cotter pins or locking nuts where they are used.
- Get an alignment. After replacing control arms, tie rods, struts or a steering rack, have the wheel alignment checked. Poor alignment wears tyres quickly and can make the car pull.
- Check related parts. While the wheel is off, look at the CV boot, the brake hose and the wheel bearing.
If you are not experienced with suspension work, have a qualified mechanic fit the parts.
Looking After Suspension and Steering
A little care makes these parts last longer. Avoid hitting potholes and kerbs at speed. Check tyre pressures monthly, since low pressure loads the suspension unevenly. Look for torn ball joint and tie rod boots at each service, because once dirt gets into the joint it wears quickly. Have the alignment checked once a year or after any hard impact. On air suspension, listen for the compressor running more often than usual, which is an early sign of a leak.
Who These Parts Suit
Our suspension and steering parts suit drivers fixing knocks and wandering on a daily car, truck and SUV owners refreshing a worn front end, owners of air suspension vehicles dealing with sagging, and enthusiasts fitting coilovers or camber arms. We also carry parts for classics and older models, such as the 1979-2004 Mustang rear control arm kit.
Buying Suspension and Steering Parts From Easy Life Markets
Each product page lists the fitment, part numbers, what is included, the current price and availability. If you are unsure whether a part fits, send us your vehicle details before ordering. Our shipping policy explains how orders are sent, and our return and refund policy covers parts that do not suit. While you are working on the car, our brake parts, CV axles and the full auto parts range are worth a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an alignment after replacing suspension parts?
Yes, after control arms, tie rods, struts or a steering rack. These parts set the wheel angles, and even a small change affects tyre wear and steering.
Should I replace struts in pairs?
Yes. A new strut on one side and an old one on the other makes the car lean and brake unevenly.
What is the difference between a shock and a strut?
A shock only damps movement. A strut damps movement and also supports the spring and forms part of the steering, so it carries more load.
Are complete strut assemblies easier to fit?
Yes. They come with the spring and mount already assembled, so you do not need to compress the spring.
Can I replace air suspension with standard parts?
Some owners do, using conversion kits. The air suspension parts in this category are air shocks and air struts listed for vehicles that already use air suspension. Check the listing for your model.
How do I know if a ball joint is worn?
Common signs are knocks over bumps, play when the wheel is rocked top to bottom with the car lifted, and a torn rubber boot.
Can you confirm a part fits my car?
Yes. Send the part number or your vehicle details through our contact page. More answers are on our FAQ page.