I need to replace my front control arm bushings (rear no2 on the diagram below ) my car is an imported 3'rd gen forester 2008 XT car is in good condition as it only has 56k miles....question is do I replace the rear bushings only? or while I'm at it replace the front ones (no1) also . Should I upgrade the bushings with PU ones (powerflex etc) or just get OEM?

Would it be cheaper to get aftermarket arms and just replace the whole thing?

Any ideas of the labour costs involved ? with replacing the bushings only vs replacing the whole arm?


If I upgrade the bushings to PU ones do I need to do the wheel alignment also, or do I need to do it regardless ?

Thanks!

P.S: Is there any point upgrading only the front control arm bushings to PU ones if you don't do the whole lot ?

 

If you are pressing out one, there's only one more to do, and it's better to have them all PU, or all rubber. PU definitely lasts longer. I can't imagine that it is cheaper to swap out the whole control arm.
I would have an alignment, definitely. You also have the choice in PU bushes if you want some adjustability for geometry.

 

its only the rears you need to do, the front ones will be grand there is no movement in those bushes, unlike the voids in the rears that cause them to rip/need replacing.

 

Thanks should I do the ball-joint also no.1 in the attached diagram? Are SKF parts still just as good as OEM or have they gone downhill like most stuff?

 

To @hedgecutter Thanks I'll consider this will see how much more it would be in terms of costs vs just replacing with OEM.

Something like this would be ok? Or just get powerflex ?

 

OEM are pretty cheap on partsouq - 2 of them delivered will cost you £35 - no import duty etc as you are under the £40 limit

https://partsouq.com/en/search/all?q=20204AG011

re balljoints - would be worth doing them as the arms are out

 

Cheers I usualy use www.amayama.com/ they have the best prices more often than not..

 

Partsouq will have the parts at your door in about 5days though

EDIT: actually last one was 3days from order to door last week!

 

WOW that's awesome I'll give them a try then !