Suspension & brakes
Front lower control arm rear bushings split and leak
The rear bushing on each front lower control arm is a fluid-filled hydraulic bushing. It cracks, leaks its oil, and the arm starts to thud over bumps and wander under braking. The fix is a pressed-in bushing or a complete arm, and polyurethane is wrong for this position.
Frequency basis: Called out as "notoriously" failing on 2005-and-later cars in the suspension FAQ (1,800 replies), listed in the 2005 XT known-issues thread, and the subject of several dedicated threads where dealers quoted about $590–650 for bushings or whole arms. NHTSA files 56 of 273 complaints under suspension.
Symptoms
- Thud or clunk from the front over bumps and on brake application; reported at 96k miles
- Oily residue around the big rear bushing of the front control arm; visible cracks
- Vague steering and a shimmy under braking; uneven inner tyre wear
Causes found
- The hydraulic rear bushing (20204AG01A) ages and splits; the smaller front bushing wears too
- Dealers often add ball joints to the quote; a second opinion found them fine in one case
Check in this order
- Pry on the arm at the rear bushing with the car on the ground and watch for excess movement or oil
- Check the ball joint boots and the front bushing while you are there
- Confirm the 2005–2009 arm design before following an older how-to
What fixed it
- Press in new bushings: rear bushing about $75–100, front about $12, with an impact gun for the bolts; no alignment needed if only bushings are changed
- Or replace the complete arms (about $650 at an independent shop in 2011)
- Use rubber or hydraulic replacements for the rear position; it flexes rather than pivots, so polyurethane binds
References on this site
OEM parts
- 20204AG01ABushing, transverse link rear (hydraulic)
- 20204AG00ABushing, transverse link front
- 20202AG01ATransverse link (lower control arm) assembly, left
Parts diagrams
Factory manual chapters
Sources
Forum threads are owner reports, not factory findings. Counts are from the threads and complaint records read for this page; read the sources before buying parts.
- 1.Lower Control Arm Bushings - Replacement Question
subaruoutback.org · Forum thread · 2011, 96k miles, bushing prices and quotes
- 2.2005-2009 Outback suspension FAQ
subaruoutback.org · Forum thread · do not use polyurethane in the rear position
- 3.Outback Control Arm Rear Bushing Leaking
ultimatesubaru.org · Forum thread
- 4.Known Issues with 2005 Outback XT Limited???
subaruoutback.org · Forum thread · torn rear LCA bushing listed