What does a trailing arm do?

A trailing arm is part of a vehicle’s trailing-arm suspension system. The trailing arm is the piece of the suspension system that connects the vehicle’s axle to its chassis. It’s job is to act as a pivot point and stop the rear axle or rear spindle from moving forward or rearward during operation of the vehicle.

In addition to the trailing arm itself are the trailing arm bushings. These are rubber or polyurethane components that act as cushions and reduce friction between the suspension parts.

Mini

Mini is a British automotive marque that has been owned by the German multinational vehicle manufacturer BMW since 2000.

The Mini brand was originally introduced in 1969 when the vehicle model became a marque in its own right, breaking away from the Austin and Morris brands under the British Leyland umbrella.

How popular is Mini in the United Kingdom?

The Mini Hatch was the 7th best selling car of 2018 in the UK. Mini is a consistent favourite among buyers with a leaning for British cultural icons and retro styling.

There are around 750k Mini cars on the roads, showing that the brand is still as popular as ever due to their compact sizing, attractive styling and its reputation as a classy and classic small car.

Mini: a premium product of British motoring

With its unique and unmistakable styling, Mini is firmly placed as a premium product. Its ownership by BMW has added advantages in production, by being able to lean on the executive luxury German marque for many of the advanced technological systems and specialist industry knowledge used in their manufacture.

A piece of British culture and a Hollywood star

Enhancing its popularity as a household name, the original British Mini became a star of the silver screen when it appeared predominantly in the gold-heist movie ‘The Italian Job’ in 1969, starring Michael Caine and Noel Coward. With a remake hitting the screens in 2003, the new Mini was called on to star once again, and a selection of Mini hatch models continued the tradition by featuring in the film.

Mini: a new competitor to the most popular 3-door hatchbacks

Despite its small footprint, the Mini hatch is providing real competition to the Audi A1 and VW Polo due to its premium quality build. And with the weight of BMW behind them, it’s easy to see why.

How often should a trailing arm need replacing?

A trailing arm should be replaced if it gets damaged or if the bushings become worn. Because the trailing arm bushings are made from rubber they will deteriorate over time and will eventually have to be replaced.

Because the arm and bushings form a crucial part of your vehicle’s suspension system, they should be replaced as soon as you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

The trailing arm and the bushes are important parts of the suspension. Wear to these bushes usually takes place slowly, often you only find out that you have worn bushes after an MOT test. Deteriorated bushes are in fact one of the most frequent MOT advisories.

Symptoms of worn suspension bushes include a bumpy ride and unstable feel to the car. It’s important to get an issue like this fixed fast to ensure the safety of your car for you and your passengers.

What happens when we do a trailing arm replacement on your car?

Our certified mechanics will:

• Inspect your suspension system, including the trailing arm.

• If the trailing arm is cracked or damaged they will fit a replacement.

• They will advise if any related parts need to be replaced.

• They will check that all parts have been fitted correctly and test drive the car.

What causes a trailing arm to break?

A trailing arm will begin to fail if the bushes become worn out. The brushes act as cushions and reduce friction between the suspension parts, therefore if they’re cracked or worn the suspension system will not operate properly. Driving over large bumps or on uneven road surfaces often may also damage your suspension system over time.

When should a trailing arm be replaced?

A trailing arm should be replaced if it gets damaged or if the bushings become worn. Because the trailing arm bushings are made from rubber they will deteriorate over time and will eventually have to be replaced.

What are the signs of a bad trailing arm?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

• Clunking noises from the back of your car

• Vehicle won’t stay in a straight line or sways to one side when driving

• Your rear tyres are wearing unevenly and excessively

• Loose steering when turning corners

What happens during a trailing arm replacement?

Our certified mechanics will:

• Inspect your suspension system, including the trailing arm.

• If the trailing arm is cracked or damaged they will fit a replacement.

• They will advise if any related parts need to be replaced.

• They will check that all parts have been fitted correctly and test drive the car.

Can you drive with a broken trailing arm?

You should not drive with a bad trailing arm. Failing to repair a broken or cracked trailing arm could lead to separation of that side of the axle. Continuing to drive is dangerous for you, your passengers and other road users as it’s only a matter of time before further, more serious damage occurs.

What happens if you don't change a bad trailing arm?

Failing to repair a broken or cracked trailing arm could lead to separation of that side of the axle. It could also result in other parts of your vehicle’s suspension system becoming more damaged meaning more costly repairs down the line.