Who Else Makes LCA Bushings?

AVO seems to be the only one making LCA bushings for 5th gen's, but they all seem out of stock (or out of country). Do you guys know if anyone else makes some good bushings (rearward specifically). Caster addition is preferred too.

 

2018 Update: Search is over, SuperPro released their 2010-2014 Bushings and I got them installed:

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=260597&d=1515638039

Hardrace makes some OE style bushings with a harder rubber.

 

http://www.hardrace.com/VEHICLE_Search.asp?Page=1&Car_Make=19&Car_Model=57&Car_Type=243&MainType=109

 

They have a US dealer.

 

http://www.buyhardrace.com/

Couldn't see the prices, but something tells me they wont be all that much cheaper then AVO's probably.

Got mine here: http://www.velocityshop.com/product/hardrace-front-lca-bushings-large-impreza-grb-legacy-bl-bp-bm-br_805.html

 

Ended up at $92 shipped for the pair.

Other companies to look to (although they might not have rearward caster adjustment LCA bushings):

 

Rallitek

SuperPro (AU site to find the part #s, then US resellers to order)

Energy Suspension

Whiteline... Though they are a different and far inferior design to the AVO.

 

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Got mine here: http://www.velocityshop.com/product/hardrace-front-lca-bushings-large-impreza-grb-legacy-bl-bp-bm-br_805.html

 

Ended up at $92 shipped for the pair.

 

Yeah, at that point might as well get the caster ones

 

Other companies to look to (although they might not have rearward caster adjustment LCA bushings):

 

Rallitek

SuperPro (AU site to find the part #s, then US resellers to order)

Energy Suspension

 

Checked Rallitek and ES, no reaward bushing, only the front ones.

 

Love SuperPro (use them on my Nissan), but sadly they don't have anything for BM's besides swaybar bushings.

 

So far it seems Avo is the only one making poly bushings for BM's, I really wonder why, they are not that much different then BL's in design.

 

 

 

Whiteline... Though they are a different and far inferior design to the AVO.

 

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I believe whiteline discontinued their version, it was pretty crappy design though, so not surprised. I'm not sure why they can't make em like the BL/BP and just call it a day.

Powerflex did, not sure if they still do.

I was pretty sure that the 5th gen vertical front lower control arm bushing is the same as the 4th gen and wrx parts. They just changed the metal cylinder in the middle by adding a washer to it, which you could do yourself by just inserting a big SS washer.

 

I have an unused one at home, and I can provide measurements if someone can get measurements for a BL chassis part.

I was thinking the same today, so I'm planning on measuring mine when I get a chance.

 

If it's the same, I'm surprised none one lists it as compatible on their list.

I'm guessing that space is taller and AVO remedied that by welding that washer on the metal piece. If I'm right, then the super pro parts or avo parts for 4th gens will fit fine with a washer added in.

Manufacturers or vendors don't take the time to see what will fit between the different models I am guessing out of pure laziness or ignorance. Who wouldn't want to add potential customers to their base.

Finally got around to measuring the 2012 Outback and 2005 legacy wagon's LCA bushings. This is basically the housing measurement and not the overall bushing height, which can adjusted via washers if they are different heights.

 

2012 Outback:

58.78mm Diameter

34.45mm Height

 

2005 Legacy:

60.17mm Diameter

30.05mm Height

 

I think the 05 bushings might actually work, but they would be a little short in the lower control arm itself.

If it's bigger how is it going to work? Won't be able to press it in.

I wouldn't treat these numbers as absolutes, especially diameters which are hard to get accurate measurements off while the current bushings are in place.

 

I'm thinking of getting this Prothane set since it's cheap and has no metal sleeves, no metal sleeves means that I can squeeze it into tighter spaces.

Ran into an interesting problem while installing the Prothanes today. Lets just say this might be the reason why BP/BL parts don't fit on BM's.

 

2012 (BM) on left, 2005 LGT (BP) on right

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=236963&stc=1&d=1472882463

 

As you can see the bushing hole size is much bigger, interestingly enough both cars use the same nuts, it's just 2005's have the rear attachment point in the body and it has a wider body towards the top.

 

Looking at my pics of the Whiteline kit for my 05, the bolt hole is actually enlarged a little, but rest is smaller (good job Whiteline, that's a lot better then what even OEM does). I might get a Whiteline kit if these prothanes don't work out.

EDIT: 2010+ require a lot more articulation in the bushing to be able to install the LCA, since Whitelines barely have any voids, it would be really hard to install.

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=260625&stc=1&d=1515682140

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=260626&stc=1&d=1515682140

Maybe check with infamous performance to see if he has any AVO kits?

If the Prothanes don't work out I will, I got one arm done last night, but popped an axle out so after removing the boot and getting it back in I had to call the quits before I broke anything else.

When I bought this car I figured I would need to replace the front LCA bushings, especially seeing the condition my 05's were in. At 100k These look pretty bad.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/2012_LCA_100k_01.jpg~original

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/2012_LCA_100k_02.jpg~original

 

I went with a sleeveless bushing set incase the 2010+ diameter was slightly different then 2005's. They have a little more forgiveness if sizes are off. Prothane's are meant for BL/BP arms (hole is 30mm tall), thus have an opening of 28mm. BM arms are have 34mm tall openings, I figured I would give them a shot as is before cutting them.

 

2005 LCA's:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_006_05LGT.jpg~original

 

2012 LCA's:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_006.jpg~original

 

Front bushings should fit too, I usually don't install these because they majorly increased NVH in one of my other cars.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_004.jpg~original

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_005.jpg~original

 

 

Next issue is the eye hole, even though they both use the same sized and threaded bolt, 05's is much bigger to allow for provisions to remove the body attached studs. Prothane's metal sleeve is the same size as 05's, which is way too large for BM's and could cause the sleeve to shift under load.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/2012_LCA_vs2005_LCA.jpg~original

 

Luckily, I found that the stock bushings sleeve is actually the perfect OD to fit into the bushing. Pressed it out

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_007.jpg~original

 

Then heated it up to separate the rubber from the metal.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_012.jpg~original

 

I couldn't get the old sleeves pressed out for the life of me, so had to use the good old hammer and screw drivers method. Notice how the voids are bigger one one side vs the other. I think this was on purpose, more on this later.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_008.jpg~original

 

Prothane is awesome and added a little lip to allow you to much easier to press it in, still I had a heck of a time trying to get them pressed in.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_009.jpg~original

 

 

Since the bushing is a bit short, it definitely distorted

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_010.jpg~original

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_011.jpg~original

 

Inserting the sleeve helped the bushing restore some of it's roundess, you can see the stock sleeve sticking out a bit.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_014.jpg~original

 

Stock mounting point has slight lip, which could cause the bushing to slide over it and cause the arm to move up and down. Used a washer to fill the gap, I hate to have to shim things up (increasing anti-lift, where you usually want to decrease it)

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_015.jpg~original

 

What it looks like in place

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_018.jpg~original

 

 

I had a heck of a time trying to get the arm in place and all the bolts aligned. This was much more painful then on the legacy.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_016.jpg~original

 

 

This is why the void placement is so important, without them the arm would not be able to move up and down at all. On one side I put the bigger void facing in the car and other side the bigger void were facing the outside. It was still a royal pita getting the strut installed on both sides, though little easier on side where bigger void was facing inside.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Cars/12%20OBP/Suspension/LCA%20-%20Front/Prothane%2016-303/Prothane_16-303_017.jpg~original

After few weeks of driving with these they are creaking, I can't say I'm a fan of mechanical grip bushings. Might get the AVO set after all.

Good call. The avo ones are silent. Even after winter grime. No issues whatsoever.

Same for my Whiteline set on the 5th gen LGT.

 

I had the hardest time getting the control arms installed with these bushings, lack of up/down movement required me to put full body weight to get the arm low enough to slip the ball joint on. Did you have the same issue with AVO's?

I had a shop do it. But the AVO ones pivot rather than flex, so there is no resistance to up/down movement of the control arm at all.

Would anyone know if GRB STI alloy LCA will fit BR/BM? The same question for rear lateral arms? They look rather similar. Cheers

I had a shop do it. But the AVO ones pivot rather than flex, so there is no resistance to up/down movement of the control arm at all.

 

Are the BR/BM avo's different from BL/BP's? Pictures looked the same for both, which have no visible pivot points.

 

http://www.avoturboworld.com/avoshop/images/images_big/300_2010_cab.jpg