Which of the following is a common symptom of a defective control arm bushing?

A defective control arm bushing typically leads to several noticeable symptoms that affect both the suspension system and the overall handling of the vehicle. Control arm bushings are designed to provide a flexible connection between the control arm and the vehicle frame, allowing for smooth movement while also isolating road noise and vibrations.

When these bushings wear out or become damaged, they can produce clunking or rattling noises, particularly when the vehicle goes over bumps or during turns. Additionally, compromised bushings can affect the alignment of the wheels, leading to poor handling characteristics, such as wandering or a lack of steering response. These symptoms directly relate to the functions of the control arm assembly.

In contrast, the other choices pertain to different systems or issues that do not directly stem from a malfunctioning control arm bushing. For instance, brake noise generally originates from the braking components themselves and is not influenced by the suspension system's control arm bushings. Similarly, noise at high speeds and issues related to abrupt stopping tend to point to concerns with different areas of the vehicle, such as tire problems or brake issues. Thus, the most consistent symptom associated with a defective control arm bushing is the combination of suspension noise and handling problems.