Alignment Arms

Nolathane alignment arms are replacement upper control arms built to bring camber and caster back into specification when factory arms run out of adjustment. Lift a 4WD or ute with independent front suspension (IFS), lower a performance car, or simply age a high-kilometre vehicle, and the standard arms often can?t reach the alignment settings the vehicle needs. The result is tyre wear, a pull to one side and steering that never feels quite right.

The range includes fixed offset front upper control arms for lifted 4WDs and utes, and performance alloy arms with an extended camber adjustment range. Each arm is supplied as a complete assembly with bushes and a ball joint fitted, so there?s no pressing out old bushings or swapping ball joints before fitting.

Why Factory Arms Run Out of Adjustment

Factory upper control arms are designed around standard ride height. The alignment adjusters on the vehicle, usually cam bolts or shims, only provide a limited range on either side of the factory settings.

When an IFS 4WD is lifted, the lower control arm drops to a steeper angle and the upper arm follows. That pulls the top of the wheel inward and reduces caster, the backward tilt of the steering axis that gives a vehicle stable, self-centring steering. Even a modest lift can use up most of the factory adjustment, and larger lifts push camber and caster beyond it entirely. Lowering a vehicle does the opposite, adding negative camber that the factory adjusters may not be able to remove.

Out-of-specification geometry shows up as:

• Tyres wearing on the inner or outer edge
• Light, wandering or nervous steering at highway speed
• A steering wheel that?s slow to return to centre after a turn
• Pulling to one side, especially under braking
• Ball joints running near the end of their travel, or the arm contacting the coil over strut at full droop

Types of Alignment Arms

Fixed Offset Upper Control Arms

Fixed offset arms move the upper ball joint outward and rearward compared with the factory arm. That built-in offset restores camber and adds caster back at the new ride height, while the vehicle?s own alignment adjusters handle the fine tuning. They?re the simplest solution for lifted 4WDs and utes, with no extra adjusters to set or check.

Adjustable and Extended-Range Arms

Adjustable upper control arms and extended-range arms provide a wider camber adjustment window than the factory arm. Performance alloy upper control arms suit modified and performance vehicles that need precise camber correction beyond factory specifications. Some arms in the range are on-car adjustable for other alignment angles, such as pinion angle on lifted vehicles. Each listing shows whether an arm is fixed offset or adjustable, and the correction it provides.

Front Upper Arms vs Rear Camber Arms

Camber arms can be fitted at either end of a vehicle. Front upper control arms set front camber and caster, and are the focus here for IFS 4WDs and utes. Rear camber arms, often called rear upper control arms or RUCAs, are used on lowered passenger and performance cars with independent rear suspension. Always confirm the position before ordering.

Bushes, Ball Joints and Clearance

The bushes and joints on an alignment arm determine how it feels on the road and how long it lasts.

• Bushes: Nolathane arms use Nolathane bushings at the inner pivots, including maintenance-free GIIRO bushing technology on many applications. GIIRO designs allow the arm to articulate freely without regular greasing.
• Spherical joints: some performance arms use spherical or pillow ball joints for precise, deflection-free location, with more noise and vibration transmitted to the cabin than a bush.
• Ball joints: a new, high-quality upper ball joint comes fitted to each arm. Many aftermarket arms also allow greater ball joint articulation, which helps a lifted vehicle reach full droop without binding.
• Strut clearance: arm shapes are designed to clear the coil over strut, a common contact point when factory arms are used on lifted vehicles.

What?s Included

Each alignment arm is supplied as a complete, ready-to-fit assembly with bushes and a ball joint already installed. That saves the time and cost of transferring parts from the old arm and means every wear item at that corner is new. Arms are usually sold as left and right pairs or as individual sides. Each listing shows the kit contents, fitting position and any vehicle-specific requirements, such as the type of steering knuckle the arm suits.

Choosing the Right Alignment Arms

Consider these points when choosing an arm:

• Lift or lowering height: fixed offset arms are designed for a specific ride height range, so match the arm to the actual height after the suspension has settled.
• Vehicle variant: knuckle type, drivetrain and model year can all change which arm fits.
• Intended use: touring and towing vehicles benefit from bushes that stay quiet, while performance builds may prioritise adjustment range.
• Other geometry changes: a large lift may also need a diff drop kit, longer brake lines or extended sway bar links.

Our fitment guarantee means the arms you order for your vehicle are confirmed to suit it.

Fitting Alignment Arms

Fitting suits professional workshops and experienced home mechanics. As a general guide:

1. Raise the vehicle safely, support the chassis on stands and remove the front wheel.
2. Support the lower control arm with a jack to take load off the upper arm.
3. Disconnect the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle and remove the inner pivot bolts.
4. Fit the new arm in the correct orientation, then connect the ball joint and torque the nut to specification.
5. Lower the vehicle onto its wheels and tighten the inner pivot bolts at ride height.
6. Have a wheel alignment (tracking) carried out to set camber, caster and toe.

Check ABS sensor leads and brake lines for slack at full droop after fitting, and re-check fastener torque at the next service.

Limitations and Compliance

Alignment arms correct geometry, but they can?t reverse every effect of a lift. CV joint angles, bump steer and ride quality also change with ride height, and very large lifts usually need a broader set of components. A performance arm with a spherical joint is precise but noisier and may need more frequent inspection.

Rules on suspension modifications vary. In Australia, each state and territory sets its own limits on lift height and when engineering certification is required, and in the UK and Europe, modifications may be assessed at MOT or periodic inspections. Check the requirements where your vehicle is registered and tell your insurer about any suspension changes.

The Nolathane Difference

Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. More than 50 years later, that experience goes into complete suspension arms fitted with the bushings mechanics and DIY?ers trust, made in a range of durometers (hardness grades) for each position, with outstanding abrasion resistance, high load-bearing capability and resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering.

Shop Alignment Arms

Find the alignment arms for your vehicle, then order online with fast shipping or have them fitted by a Nolathane reseller. Every arm is backed by Nolathane?s warranty, 60-day returns give you time if a part isn?t right, and our local support team can help whether you?re repairing worn suspension, correcting alignment after a lift or upgrading for improved handling and performance.