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Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Lateral Arms

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Lateral arms

Lateral arms for your Volkswagen Golf Alltrack start at $55.95, and AutoBuffy stocks 5 options from Suspensia and Mevotech Supreme. A lateral arm is a rigid suspension link that controls side-to-side wheel movement, keeping your tires properly aligned. When it wears out or bends, you lose alignment stability, which accelerates tire wear and compromises handling safety.

Signs your Volkswagen Golf Alltrack needs new lateral arms

  • Persistent pulling to one side that returns even after a fresh wheel alignment
  • Clunking or knocking noise from the rear or front suspension over bumps or during turns
  • Uneven or rapid tire wear, particularly on the inner or outer edge of the tread
  • Rear or front wheels visibly toed in or out more than the opposite side
  • Loose or vague steering feel, especially noticeable at highway speeds
  • Vehicle wanders or requires constant small steering corrections to hold a straight line

Which lateral arm should you buy for your Volkswagen Golf Alltrack?

The most important decisions are OE-replacement versus performance-grade, and whether the arm comes with pre-installed bushings and a ball joint or requires you to press in your own. Position also matters — many vehicles use separate front and rear lateral arms per side, and they are not interchangeable.

OE-Replacement (stamped steel)
Best for
Daily drivers, stock ride height, budget-conscious owners
What you get
Direct bolt-on fit, factory geometry, rubber bushings pre-installed — ready to mount
OE-Replacement (cast or forged steel)
Best for
Vehicles with heavier loads or towing duty, OEM-matching durability
What you get
Stronger construction than stamped units, same geometry, typically includes bushings and hardware
Complete arm with ball joint pre-installed
Best for
High-mileage vehicles where the ball joint is also worn
What you get
Saves press-in labor; replaces the arm and ball joint as a single assembly in one job
Performance / adjustable lateral arm
Best for
Lowered vehicles, track use, or owners who need alignment correction after a lift or drop
What you get
Slotted or eccentric adjustment for camber or toe correction; often uses polyurethane or spherical bushings for reduced flex

Lateral arms brands we stock for your Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

Suspensia
4 options · from $55.95
Mevotech Supreme
1 option · from $63.95

Replacing lateral arms on a Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

Moderate⏱ 1.5–3 hours per armFloor jack and jack standsBreaker bar or impact wrenchSocket set and combination wrenches (metric and SAE)Torque wrenchPenetrating oil (for corroded fasteners)

Raise and safely support the vehicle, then remove the wheel to access the lateral arm mounting bolts at the frame and knuckle. Fasteners are often corroded, so soak them with penetrating oil before attempting removal. After installing the new arm and snugging all hardware, lower the vehicle to ride height before making final torque passes, since bushing fasteners must be tightened with the suspension at its natural loaded position to avoid premature bushing wear. Schedule a four-wheel alignment immediately after the job.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace lateral arms on a Volkswagen Golf Alltrack?
Parts for your Volkswagen Golf Alltrack start at $55.95 at AutoBuffy. Total cost depends on whether you need one arm or a pair and whether the arm includes bushings and a ball joint. Professional labor typically runs one to two hours per arm, so getting both sides done in one visit reduces total shop time and cost.
Can I drive my Volkswagen Golf Alltrack with a bad lateral arm?
You should not drive far or fast on a failed lateral arm. A worn or cracked arm allows the wheel to shift laterally under load, making the vehicle unpredictable during cornering or braking. Wheel alignment will be unstable, tire wear will accelerate rapidly, and in severe cases the arm can separate, causing loss of vehicle control.
Do I need to replace lateral arms in pairs on a Volkswagen Golf Alltrack?
It depends on the failure and mileage. If one arm is bent from impact damage, replacing only the damaged side is acceptable. However, if the failure is bushing wear due to age and mileage, replacing both sides prevents the good arm from failing shortly after and keeps suspension geometry balanced side to side.
Does a lateral arm replacement require a wheel alignment on a Volkswagen Golf Alltrack?
Yes, always. Replacing a lateral arm directly changes the geometry that controls camber and toe angles. Even if you bolt the new arm to the same position, small differences in components will shift alignment. Skipping an alignment after this repair accelerates tire wear and can make the vehicle handle unpredictably.
What is the difference between a lateral arm and a control arm on a Volkswagen Golf Alltrack?
Both are suspension links, but they operate on different axes. A control arm primarily manages up-and-down wheel travel. A lateral arm specifically resists side-to-side movement, keeping the wheel centered in the wheel well. Some multi-link suspension designs use several lateral arms per corner alongside separate control arms for precise wheel path control.
How long do lateral arms last on a Volkswagen Golf Alltrack?
The steel arm itself rarely fails unless bent by a curb strike or pothole. The bushings pressed into the arm are the wear item, and they typically last many years under normal driving conditions. Road salt exposure, rough roads, and off-road use shorten bushing life significantly. Inspect them whenever suspension noise or alignment drift appears.

Shop lateral arms by year for the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

201920182017

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Lateral arms for other Volkswagen models

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