A-Arm Bushing?

Um, is the bushing on the a-arm supposed to look like this? Seems like it is tearing to me?

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/Subaruski/My%20cars/photo.jpg

nobody?

That looks like the rear bushing for the lower control arm (LCA) to me. I just find it funny that lots of people (including me) have been asking about the status of these bushings. Look around and you'll see a bunch of thread's about them.

 

Short answer though is yes, they're torn and should probably be replaced. There are standard bushings and offset ones that increase caster by 0.5*.

This is a very common problem with our 4th gens'. "LCA rear bushing" will turn up a bunch of hits... Most of the time Subaru will claim it is normal wear-and-tear. Many of the members, myself included, will recommend replacing them with a poly version such as the AVO units. They make a huge improvement in steering response and stability.

This is a very common problem with our 4th gens'. "LCA rear bushing" will turn up a bunch of hits... Most of the time Subaru will claim it is normal wear-and-tear. Many of the members, myself included, will recommend replacing them with a poly version such as the AVO units. They make a huge improvement in steering response and stability.

 

Who is a good vendor that would carry these? I'm assuming should replace the front bushing also if i do the rears.

Here's the poly kit if you aren't into any additional road noise. Cheaper and on sale(discontinued).

 

http://www.rallitek.com/pofukitcoarm1.html

 

Here's the Perrin kit if you don't care about noise and/or are tracking the car. I have these and they're great!

 

http://www.perrinperformance.com/products/show/276/Anti-Lift-Kit-PSRS-ALK?category=8&model=10

 

and the new 0 degree

 

http://www.perrinperformance.com/products/show/743/Anti-Lift-Kit-PSRS-ALK-Zero-Deg-?category=8&model=10

 

and a couple more - AVO parts

 

0 degree

http://www.rallitek.com/avocaadbuca.html

 

.5 degree

http://www.rallitek.com/avocaadbusy.html

I got mine directly from Paul Hansen at AVO in Washington State. Info/link here for both the 0* and +.5* AVO LCA bushings. AVO calls it the "Caster Adjustment Bushing System" if that helps.

I believe there is a grpN variant for both the front and rear LCA bushing. Unclemat or rallispec can probably help you out with a P/N.

 

To clarify for noobies, that is the front and rear bushings for the lower control arms in the front suspension. For the rear suspension, the main component is called the "trailing link".

I did the AVO rears and a set of 08 STi fronts in my wagon and didn't notice much of any increase in NVH. Only other thing I've done to the car are brakes and RCE Tarmac1's