Lower Control Arm Bushing Replacement Cost Explained

What Affects Lower Control Arm Bushing Replacement Cost

Quick Summary
Most lower control arm bushing repairs land between $500 and $850 per side, depending on whether you replace just the bushings or the entire control arm. Labor is the biggest factor, not parts. In many cases, I recommend replacing the full control arm because it saves labor, gives you a new ball joint, and avoids doing the job twice. If you’re hearing clunks, feeling loose steering, or seeing uneven tire wear, this isn’t a repair to put off.

What Drives Lower Control Arm Bushing Replacement Cost

After decades in the shop, I can tell you that lower control arm bushing replacement cost isn’t just about parts—it’s about labor time, design, and how the job is approached.

Control arm bushings are rubber or hydraulic cushions that isolate vibration and allow controlled movement of the suspension. Over time—typically around 100,000 to 120,000 miles—they crack, soften, or separate.

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.

Once they fail, the suspension geometry starts to shift under load. That’s when you feel it.

Here’s what actually determines the final bill:

• Labor time to remove the control arm
• Whether bushings are pressed in or pre-installed
• Shop labor rate (dealer vs independent)
• Alignment requirement (almost always needed)
• Rust and corrosion (huge factor in northern climates)
• Bushings Only vs Complete Control Arm: The Real Cost Difference

This is where most people get tripped up. On paper, replacing just the bushings looks cheaper. In reality, it’s not always the better deal.

Option 1: Replace Just the Bushings

Pros:
• Lower parts cost
• Keeps the original control arm
Cons (and these matter):
• Higher labor (pressing bushings in/out takes time)
• You still have the old ball joint
• Risk of future failure if the arm is rusted
• Requires special tools and skills
Typical real-world pricing for replacing just the control arm bushings:
• Dealer: about $700 per side
• Independent shop: about $530 per side

Option 2: Replace the Entire Control Arm

This is the route I take most often in my own work.
Pros:
• Less labor — Remove the old lower control arm and replace it with a new one. No need to press bushings in and out after removing the control arm
• You get new bushings and a new ball joint, and a non-rusted control arm
• Often better value overall
Cons:
• Higher parts cost
Typical pricing:
• Dealer: about $830 per side
• Independent shop: about $690 per side

Here’s where experience matters

If the vehicle has over 100K miles—and especially if you live in a rust-prone area—I almost always recommend replacing the entire lower control arm. Why?

Because I’ve seen too many cases where someone tries to save $150 upfront, only to come back later for a ball joint or rusted arm failure. That turns a “cheap” repair into an expensive one.

In my shop mindset:

• Bushings only = good for low-mileage, clean vehicles
• Full control arm = best for long-term reliability

Symptoms That Tell Me the Bushings Are Shot

When diagnosing suspension issues, I don’t guess—I test. But these are the telltale signs I look for:

• Clunking noise when braking or accelerating
• Steering wander or loose handling
• Uneven tire wear (especially inner edge)
• Vibration under load
• Visible cracking or separation in bushings

If you’re experiencing these, your lower control arm bushing replacement cost isn’t optional—it’s coming.

Hidden Costs Most People Don’t Think About

This is where I see surprises catch people off guard.

• Alignment Cost — Any time you disturb the control arm, you’re changing suspension geometry.
• Expect $100–$150 for a proper alignment
• Rust and Seized Bolts — In the Midwest, this is a big one because seized bolts can add labor time
In extreme cases, bolts must be cut out
• OEM vs Aftermarket Parts  — 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’s 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.

Can You Drive With Bad Control Arm Bushings?

I’ll be blunt—yes, but you shouldn’t.

Worn bushings affect:

• Braking stability
• Steering control
• Tire wear
• Alignment retention

Ignore it long enough, and you’ll be paying for tires and additional suspension work on top of the original lower control arm bushing replacement cost.

How to Save Money on This Repair

Here’s the advice I give customers who want to control costs without cutting corners:

• Choose a reputable independent shop
• Replace the entire control arm instead of pressing the bushings
• Do both sides at once (saves on alignment costs long-term)
• Avoid the cheapest parts—mid-grade is the sweet spot

Final Thoughts From the Shop Floor

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over decades of turning wrenches, it’s this: suspension repairs are all about balance—cost vs longevity.

The truth about lower control arm bushing replacement costs is that the cheapest upfront option is rarely the cheapest over time. When you factor in labor, alignment, and future failures, replacing the full control arm is often the smarter investment.

©, 2026 Rick Muscoplat