The Average Cost for Control Arm Bushing Replacement Is Between $97 and $299 Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. Related repairs or maintenance may also be necessary, such as re-aligning your car’s suspension system or replacing other parts of the suspension system, including the ball joints and suspension springs. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator.
Get a more accurate estimate for your Control Arm Bushing Replacement using RepairPal’s Fair Price Estimator:
Cost at the Mechanic: $242 to $299
Parts: $97 to $116
Labor: $145 to $183
Replacing your car’s control arm bushing may take a few hours, depending on how badly the control arm has been damaged. You usually need to replace the control arm bushings when your vehicle reaches 100,000 miles, but depending on how you drive, you may need to do this more often. If the damage to the control arm bushing is minor, you may not need to repair it immediately, but if left unchecked, it can affect your ability to steer properly and damage your car’s suspension, leading to costly repairs down the road.
Cost to DIY: $97 to $116
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Parts Needed:
- Control Arm Bushing
- Hydraulic press or ball joint press
- Car Jack
- Joint and socket
You can reduce the cost of labor by performing this repair yourself, but the average home hobbyist may not have the hydraulic press required to perform this replacement without damaging the control arm. If you can safely remove the bushing without damaging the control arm, you can save around $150 in labor costs. If you’re unsure that you can do this, consider going to a professional.
While control arm bushings are generally similar between different makes and models, be sure to choose the right one for your vehicle. When in doubt, always refer to your owner’s manual for specific sizing information.
What Is a Control Arm Bushing?
The control arm bushing is part of the control arm, which connects the wheels to your car and helps the vehicle steer. The bushings generally help to absorb noise and vibrations between your wheels and the body of your car as you drive over bumps. The bushings also keeps the control arm properly aligned and functioning.
What Does a Control Arm Bushing Replacement Include?
Replacing a control arm bushing typically takes a few hours at most, but if your control arm sustained serious damage or was bent, it may take longer to replace the bushing. Generally, your mechanic will need to raise your car up, remove the wheels, and begin removing the parts necessary to reach the control arm bushing, including the ball joint, sway bar link, and control arm mounting bolts. Once the technician has removed the control arm, they remove the old bushing by using a hydraulic press, then press the new one into place.
Your mechanic may advise replacing the control arm or other parts of the suspension system at the same time. Your technician may also advise having your suspension realigned to ensure that your wheels will roll down the road correctly without causing excessive tire wear before you drive off with your repaired car.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace Your Control Arm Bushing?
At first, you may hear some rattling when your control arm bushing is a bit worn out. At this stage, you don’t need to replace the bushing immediately, but you should watch for other concerning signs to ensure you replace it before your suspension system suffers significant damage.
If you don’t replace your control arm bushing, you could have difficulty steering and cause an accident or damage your car’s subframe or suspension system. Keep in mind that the bushing helps distribute force and insulate vibrations, which helps to protect other parts of the suspension and steering. Replacing the bushing is a much cheaper repair than replacing an entire damaged suspension system. You’ll be safer with a fully functional control arm bushing, and so will others on the road.
How Often to Get Your Control Arm Bushings Replaced
Be sure to check your car’s owner’s manual and look to see how often your manufacturer recommends replacing the control arm bushings. If not specified, you should aim to replace your control arm bushings once your car reaches 100,000 miles. If you drive on uneven or unpaved roads, you may need to replace the bushings sooner. It’s important to maintain your car’s suspension system so all of its parts last as long as possible.
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Common Symptoms You Need to Replace Your Control Arm Bushing
- Vibrations in your steering wheel
- Loud sounds, including banging or clunking
- Difficulty steering
- Steering pulling to one side while driving
- Tires with uneven wear patterns
- Increased road noise
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed when you replace the control arm bushing:
- Replacing the ball joint
- Replacing or repairing the control arm
- Realigning the suspension
- Rotating tires
- Replacing the sway bar link
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