If your Subaru Legacy has front end clunks, knocking, vibration, or uneven tire wear, you may need lower control arm replacement. Our ASE-certified technicians at Hoover Street Auto Repair specialize in Subaru suspension repair and control arm replacement right here in Ann Arbor, MI, serving drivers from Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, and the University of Michigan campus area. We can quickly inspect your Subaru for suspension problems.
Contact us today for an estimate on Subaru Legacy control arm replacement cost in Ann Arbor, MI, and to schedule suspension diagnostics.
What Does Hoover Street Auto Repair Inspect for Subaru Front Suspension Noises?
Subaru cars are well known for developing front-end noises. There are many reasons for the noises, and they should not be ignored. Hoover Street Auto Repair will inspect the following parts before doing Subaru control arm replacement:
- Lower control arms,
- Lower ball joints,
- Sway bar stabilizer link,
- Sway bar bushings,
- Motor mounts,
- Suspension struts,
- Strut upper bearings,
- Steering tie-rod ends,
- Brake inspection,
- Measure tire wear patterns and road test for steering wander and control.
Please contact us if you need help with a Subaru front suspension noise problem.
What Are Common Symptoms of Subaru Worn Lower Control Arms?
- Clunking or knocking noises from the front suspension when driving over bumps,
- Loose steering, steering wander, pulling to one side, or vague steering feel,
- Vibration in the steering wheel at highway speeds,
- Pulling when brakes applied,
- Uneven or rapid front tire wear.
What Are Common Causes For Subaru Lower Control Arm Wear?
- Potholes and rough winter-damaged roads in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County.
- Curb impact damage.
- High vehicle mileage and age.
- Prior collision damage.
Should Both Subaru Control Arms Be Replaced at Same Time?
- yes, Subaru lower control arms should always be replaced on both sides at the same time.
Why Replace Both Subaru Lower Control Arms Together?
- Front suspension wear is usually similar side to side.
- Replacing only one side can cause uneven handling, braking, and vehicle control safety issues.
- Helps restore proper wheel alignment and steering feel. Wheel alignment can be problematic if one side has new, tight bushings and ball-joints and the other side has worn parts. The vehicle steering may pull or wander side to side. The wear rates will be different between the new and old parts and the wheel alignment will quickly become mis-aligned.
What We Do
The example below is a 2012 Subaru Legacy needing lower control arm replacement due to excessive wear of the ball joints and control arm bushings.
If you look closely at the photo of the old and new control arm parts, you will see the deteriorated and cracked rubber of the old control arm bushings. This is simply the result of age and wear due to the vehicle's high mileage.
Contact us for an estimate on Subaru control arm replacement cost in Ann Arbor, MI.
Subaru Control Arm Replacement FAQ
How much does Subaru Legacy control arm replacement cost in Ann Arbor, MI?
- Subaru Legacy control arm replacement cost can vary widely, so it’s best to treat any numbers as rough ranges and request a vehicle-specific estimate rather than rely on averages.
- Online estimators show control arm replacement can range from a few hundred dollars up to nearly a thousand dollars or more per axle once you factor in parts, labor, and an alignment.
- Final cost depends on model year, whether you’re replacing one or both control arms, the quality of parts (OEM vs aftermarket), rust/corrosion issues, and shop labor rates.
- An alignment is typically recommended after front control arm work, which adds an additional charge on top of the suspension repair.
Because of all these variables, the most accurate approach is to bring your Subaru to Hoover Street Auto Repair, explain your Subaru’s symptoms, and request a detailed estimate for control arm replacement and alignment.
Can I drive with a bad control arm on my Subaru?
You should not keep driving your Subaru with a bad control arm any longer than absolutely necessary, because it’s a safety issue and will also damage tires and alignment over time.
- Safety risk: A worn or damaged control arm, bushing, or ball joint can cause poor handling, pulling, and steering shimmy, and in severe cases a joint can fail and cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
- Tire wear: When the control arm or its bushings wear out, the wheel no longer tracks correctly, which leads to irregular or rapid tire wear and can ruin a set of tires quickly.
- Alignment issues: Bad control arms throw the suspension out of alignment, so the car may wander, pull to one side, or feel unstable, and even after you replace parts you’ll need a proper alignment to restore safe handling.
In practice, it’s best to minimize driving and schedule an inspection and repair as soon as you can.
Does My Subaru Need a Wheel Alignment After Control Arm Replacement?
Yes. After replacing control arms on a Subaru, a wheel alignment is needed to protect safety, tires, and suspension geometry.
- Safety and handling: When control arms or their bushings are replaced, the suspension geometry can change slightly, which may leave the steering wheel off‑center or make the car feel less stable or predictable in corners and at highway speeds.
- Tire wear: Even small changes in toe, camber, or caster angles can cause uneven or accelerated tire wear, so skipping a wheel alignment after control arm replacement can shorten the life of your tires.
- Alignment angles: New bushings and ball joints don’t have the same clearance as worn parts, so the wheel position can shift compared with where it was when the last alignment was done, which is why checking and adjusting alignment after suspension work is considered best practice.
In short, whenever you have front control arms replaced on your Subaru, it’s wise to plan for a 4‑wheel alignment afterward to ensure proper handling and to protect your tires.
Do you service other Subaru models with control arm issues?
Yes, we can inspect and repair control arm and suspension issues on Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, BRZ, Ascent, and Solterra models.
Why Do Subaru Owners in Ann Arbor Choose Hoover Street Auto?
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Local, long-standing shop in Ann Arbor, MI with strong online reviews.
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Specialization in Subaru service and repair.
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Convenient location between U‑M Central & South Campus and near downtown Ann Arbor.
More information on our other Subaru repair services.