You could have an entire new LCA installed, that comes with new bushings, and possibly a new ball joint.

Replacing the entire assembly might even be something you could accomplish, if you have basic mechanical skills, and the tools.

The axle stub nut might be the toughest part getting it broken loose, and torqued back to spec.

Having the shop replace the assembly if you provide it, might also be cheaper than having the bushing replaced. Less labor.

You could then save the old one, and have the improved bushings installed later, and have one ready to go for the next time.

 

You could have an entire new LCA installed, that comes with new bushings, and possibly a new ball joint.

Replacing the entire assembly might even be something you could accomplish, if you have basic mechanical skills, and the tools.

The axle stub nut might be the toughest part getting it broken loose, and torqued back to spec.

Having the shop replace the assembly if you provide it, might also be cheaper than having the bushing replaced. Less labor.

You could then save the old one, and have the improved bushings installed later, and have one ready to go for the next time.

thanks!

I found front control arms that fit my vehicle on amazon, not OEM but seems receiving good reviews, I am thinking buying these and have local shop replaces them for me.

Left LCA https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073ZBVNYY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Right LCA https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073ZCD89N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

...
2. If i replaced bushing at my local auto shop, do i have to bring car back to dealership for re-inspection? I'm concerned that they will fail my car again if it didn't meet dealer's 'safety standard'

...

What do the laws in Washington, DC state about inspections???

 

i'm not sure, will look it up.

 

I would think having dealerships deciding on what passes and what doesn't, is a huge conflict of interest.

 

normally I would have it done elsewhere. but due to another related fix (1) ('14-'18) - 2015 - Help with ID a rubber piece (picture) from my forester? [engine dust cover] - SOLVED! | Subaru Forester Owners Forum, I took it to dealership this time for safety inspection. they replaced it for free but I don't want to spend $1500 without a second opinion.

 

I paid around $1200 for front lower control arm bushings, alignment, front brake pads (no rotors) and some light engine tuneup stuff.

This was about 2.5 years ago at an independent shop which specializes in Subaru's here in Atlanta. The dealership will necessarily be higher.

Here in Georgia, inspection results go to the state electronically and all other inspection stations have access to the data. All inspection stations will therefor know why it failed. Not sure if VA is the same but would be surprised if VA wasn't more sophisticated than GA. Most third world countries are more sophisticated than GA.

 

Do you need to pull the hub to do LCAs on newer Foresters? I just did mine and everything is accessible with the wheels on. Still should get an alignment, and do both sides at the same time, but definitely better to replace the whole LCA than try to press in/out new bushings.

 

@ObsidianBlack09 good catch. That was a brain fart on my part.

 

I lived in Va in the 90s and drove a very rebuilt 1970 VW Bug. 50 bucks paid of any small garage inspector and would get me a sticker.

 

Ah, the good ol' days.

Pretty sure that's a felony now though.

And the control arms still need to be done...

 

SC did away with vehicle inspections years ago, mostly due to a state imposed limit on what an inspector could charge. It simply wasn’t worth any shop’s time and effort to actually inspect a vehicle, so just about every shop that stayed in the inspection business just slapped the sticker on the vehicle without even looking at the tires and collected the meager fee.

It was a well-known way of doing the inspection business, and instead of the legislature actually addressing the problems with the program, they instead simply repealed the law requiring state inspections. That happened decades ago.

There are some really unsafe vehicles on the road in SC, and one doesn’t have to look very hard to find some of them…

 

thanks guys!

just to report back -

I took my car to a local auto repair shop and have them examined the car: they replaced both front LCAs, non-functioning brake light, they also recommend the front l/f side wheel bearing and hub assembly replacement since it's running low, which I did, together with four wheel alignment, and state safety inspection cost me $1399.30.

The car handles much better now since it makes much less noise on the road, shop mentioned the noise was caused by the over-worn front wheel bearing. this actually made me to look at my car maintenance record: a year ago (Jan '23) I took the car to Subaru dealer for the excessive noise while driving and dealer replaced the rear wheel hub assembly, afterwards the noise level didn't change much, and I thought this is a common problem for Subaru, now I'm glad that local shop fix it for me.

 

@arabianights You got a good deal from the shop. I paid $1200 just for front LCA on my 2001!

 

A lower control arm with a lifetime warranty is $140 at autozone, anytime it fails after that you get a free part.
Installation is extra, but I do my own repairs.

Fairly easy to remove.

Since a new LCA usually includes a new ball joint, unbolt the other end of the ball joint.

An easy project if someone is looking to start doing some of their own repairs.

 

@Bzimbug .


Edit: I guess I read that the wrong way...