Control Arm Bushing Replacement Cost

Your car’s suspension is connected to the frame of the car through the control arm bushing. This is usually located on the front of the car, and the bushing can wear out over time or bend during an accident.

To get the control arm bushing replaced, you will likely pay between $200 and $670 in total. The labor should cost you between $100 and $250, while parts will run you somewhere between $110 and $415.

Control Arm Bushing Replacement Cost Comparison

Your Mechanic

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts & Labour	12 months	$130-$670

 

Midas

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts & Labour	12 months	$148-$651

 

Mr. Tire

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts & Labour	12 months	$145-$690

 

NAPA

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts & Labour	24 months	$156-$645

 

Walmart

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts	Limited	$45-$490

 

Amazon

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts	Limited	$49-$426

 

What Is a Control Arm Bushing Replacement?

Replacing the bushing will be something that needs to be done at a mechanic’s shop, so it’s best to have your vehicle towed to a shop rather than to your home after the bushing is damaged. Mobile mechanics simply won’t be able to transport the tools they need to repair this part of the car.

That’s primarily due to the need for a wheel alignment, which is part of repairing the control arm bushing. If the bushing was just worn out, then the job may be a relatively quick one, only taking a few hours. The car will need to be suspended and the old bushing taken out and a new one put in its place. However, if the car’s bushing has been bent in an accident, it’s possible it will have damaged surrounding parts, and you may need to have more repairs done to make your car road-worthy again. Expect much more involved and expensive repairs, if that is the case.

Even with minor damage or wear to the control arm bushing, you should have the ball joints, sway bar links and tie rod ends examined and possibly replaced at the same time, as they tend to wear out in the same window of time as the bushing.

Benefits of a Control Arm Bushing Replacement

By getting this problem sorted out quickly, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and money. The longer you wait to fix your control arm bushing, the more damage is likely to result. You will also enjoy a car that doesn’t vibrate or clang as much, and that controls better, as one of the symptoms of a loose, worn or damaged bushing is a steering wheel that doesn’t work quite as it should.

What Happens during a Control Arm Bushing Replacement?

Your mechanic will have to assess the damage, determining if there are any other parts of the car, besides the bushing, which need to be replaced or repaired. He will also look for signs of wear on nearby parts, as multiple parts associated with the bushing tend to wear out at the same time.

After the diagnostic, the mechanic will need to take off the wheel and tire. This will all need to be done while the vehicle is hoisted in the air. The mechanic will then disconnect the control arms, starting with the lower one and ending with the upper one.

Then, the new control arm assembly will need to be installed. Once that is done, the mechanic will check for any parts that are worn or damaged and need replacement. Finally, the mechanic will test the vehicle to ensure it runs properly with the new parts in place.

When to Get a Control Arm Bushing Replacement

There are some signs to watch for that will tell you that it is time to replace your control arm bushing. The most common is banging noise on the underside of the car. This may indicate that something is loose or out of whack. You may also notice that your wheel assembly shakes or moves from time to time. Your steering wheel may also feel loose, which is often a more obvious indicator of some of these other problems. The steering wheel or your car may also begin to vibrate once you are driving, and your tires may wear out faster.

This is a problem you need to get fixed as soon as possible. The sooner you deal with it, the less damage will result. You can save yourself a lot of money and ensure that further parts of the car are not damaged.

How to Save Money on a Control Arm Bushing Replacement

Your first thought about how you can save money with this repair may be to try to do it yourself. If you attempt to DIY this project, though, you should know it is considered fairly difficult, and it requires tools to complete properly that most people don’t have. You may also want to run the car by your mechanic when you are finished, just to ensure that everything is like it should be.

A better way for most people to save money on control arm bushing replacement would be to compare prices among mechanics. While the cost will vary from one car to another, they can also vary based on who you choose to do the work.

Sample Control Arm Bushing Replacement Costs

Model	Labor	Parts	Total
Ford F-Series	$96-$256	$115-$413	$211-$669
Chevrolet Silverado	$105-$256	$33-$34	$138-$290
Ford Focus	$96-$123	$60-$61	$156-$184
Toyota Camry	$96-$256	$115-$413	$211-$669
Toyota Corolla	$96-$256	$115-$413	$211-$669
Nissan Altima	$123-$156	$53-$54	$176-$210
Honda CR-V	$61-$78	$82-$103	$143-$181
Honda Civic	$96-$156	$37-$124	$133-$280
Honda Accord	$220-$278	$103-$104	$323-$382
Ford Fusion	$96-$256	$115-$413	$211-$669