Control Arm Bushing Replacement Cost: A Comparison

Compare Control Arm Bushing Replacement cost: Dealer vs Independent and Bushings Only vs. Complete Control arm

Replacing control arm bushings is a normal and expected maintenance cost for your vehicle. They are wear items, just like struts, shocks, tires, and brakes, and they begin to show wear around 120,000 miles. In this article, I’ll compare the control arm bushing replacement cost by a dealer versus an independent shop, as well as the replacement cost of just the bushings versus the cost of replacing the entire control arm. I’ll use a 2015 Subaru Forester vehicle as an example.

Understanding Control Arm Bushing Replacement Options

You have two options when you’re faced with worn-out control arm bushings:

1) Replace just the bushings, or
2) Replace the entire control arm, complete with new bushings and new ball joint.

You have two options for replacing worn-out control arm bushings. Option #1 is to replace just the bushings and possibly the ball joint. Option #2 is to replace the entire control arm, which comes with new bushings and a new ball joint.

Pros and Cons of each approach

Pros of Replacing Just The Bushings
• The parts are less expensive than a complete control arm
Cons of Replacing Just the Bushings
• The labor is higher. The technician must remove the entire control arm from the vehicle and use a press to push out and reinstall the bushings.
• The vehicle has to be aligned using either method, so why not replace the ball joint at the same time as the bushings and start fresh?
• You’ll still have the old ball joint if you replace just the bushings.
• You’ll be reusing the old control arm. If it’s rusted, you’ll be facing a future replacement

You’ll Also Have Choices on Parts

Parts Costs

• OEM vs. Aftermarket Bushings— OEM bushings are typically more expensive than aftermarket options. However, since bushings alone are the lowest cost of the job, the price difference isn’t that great in the overall scheme. OEM bushings will give you the same ride quality as the factory bushings.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Control Arm Assembly— Here, there’s often a bigger difference in parts pricing; however, it depends on whether you have the work done at a dealer that sells parts at MSRP versus a dealer that adds markup over and above MSRP, as compared to an independent shop that buys OEM or aftermarket parts and adds markup. See the examples below.

Parts Costs: OE versus Aftermarket

OE Bushings, control arm, and ball joint MSRP

Subaru 20204AG011 front bushing $48.12 each
Subaru 20204AG030  rear bushing $28.72 each
Subaru 20202SG002 Complete Control Arm 20202SG002 $314.15
Subaru 20206AJ000 Ball Joint $50.10

Aftermarket Prices of Parts With Shop Markup

Moog K201605 Rear Bushing $19.87
Moog K201882 Front Bushing $23,49
Moog Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint$287.77
Moog MOOG K9513 Ball Joint $46.17

Control arm bushing replacement cost on a 2015 Subaru Forester

1) Replace Just The Bushings With a Dealer That Sells Parts at MSRP (replacing bushings only)

Labor:
Flat rate labor guide to R&R Control Arm 1.9 hrs, plus alignment cost
Flat rate labor guide to replace the bushings once the control arm is removed .3 hrs each.
If the dealer hourly rate is $180, the control arm bushing replacement cost would be 3.5 hours per side (including alignment) A $180/hr = $630 plus parts

Parts:
Parts Cost 76.84 for 2 bushings.

Total:
$630 + $76.84 = $706.84 per side.

2) Replace Just The Bushings with an Independent Shop Using a Standard Shop Markup of 100%

Labor:
Flat rate labor guide to R&R Control Arm 1.9 hrs, plus alignment cost
Flat rate labor guide to replace the bushings once the control arm is removed .3 hrs each.
If the independent shop’s hourly rate is $140, the control arm bushing replacement cost would be 3.5 hours per side (including alignment) A $140/hr = $490 plus parts

Parts:
Parts Cost $43.36 for 2 bushings.

Total:
$490 + $43.36 = $533.06 per side.

3) Control Arm Replacement Cost By a Dealer That Sells Parts at MSRP

Labor:
Flat rate labor guide to R&R Control Arm 1.9 hrs, plus alignment cost
If the dealer hourly rate is $180, the control arm bushing replacement cost would be 2.9 hours per side (including alignment) A $180/hr = $522 plus parts

Parts:
Subaru 20202SG002 Complete Control Arm 20202SG002 $314.15

Total:
$522 + $314.15 = $836.15 per side.

4) Control Arm Replacement Cost with an Independent Shop Using Standard Shop Markup of 100%

Labor:
Flat rate labor guide to R&R Control Arm 1.9 hrs, plus alignment cost
If the dealer hourly rate is $180, the control arm bushing replacement cost would be 2.9 hours per side (including alignment) A $140/hr = $406 plus parts

Parts:
Moog Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint$287.77

Total:
$406 + $287.77 = $692.77.15 per side.