(I searched and found conflicting information)

So I went to Mitsu the other day to get an oil change on my 05 VIII MR and they told me that my rear lower control arm bushings had play. They showed me the parts list and they only had two new control arms listed... (at $360 each plus labor/alignment for a total of $1200)

I asked if they could just pop the bushings out of the current LCA's and they said you can't and that you had to replace the whole shebang. This didn't sound right to me so I figured I'd do a little search and I found this...

http://www.mnsportcompacts.net/forum...ng-Replacement

So my question is can I just replace the bushings or does it require that I replace the entire LCA's?

 

you can just replace the bushing

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

That's what I thought too. Anybody know the part numbers for those bushings by any chance?

 

That's a dealerships way of making money, by lying to you. I know more about my car than any dealer goon/mechanic ever will

 

They many not be able to replace the bushing per rules. Its like replacing a whole wiring harness vs repairing one bad wire.

I would look into the energy suspension or white line bushing. If your gonna go in, might as well make it an upgrade.

 

check out rockauto.com for stock ones

 

Just upgrade. They don't last.

 

i know i was just telling him about where to get stock ones just in case he wanted to get them cheap and get it over and do with .... but on another note if you dont have a press to press them in and out its going to fun

 

True.

And it's best to get an experienced shop press them in. I'm not sure about the rear, but the front are aluminum and will really get buggered if they don't know what they are doing.

 

but stay with them and make sure they dont heat them some experienced shop dont know evos and think its like all the orther cars they work on

 

Thanks for all the help. The mechanic did say because the LCAs were aluminum they wouldn't press in bushings.

I think I will look to upgrade to whiteline

 

Thanks for all the help. The mechanic did say because the LCAs were aluminum they wouldn't press in bushings.

I think I will look to upgrade to whiteline. Do you think a performance shop in Minnesota would do the work?

 

Get the AFI lower control arms and be done with it.

 

they just told me the exact same thing! I was not sure why I needed a new LCA when all he said was that it was loose. I started looking around for the part and I couldn't find it cheaper than the dealership price. After reading the boards for a few days I am starting to believe I need new bushings rather than the LCA. Because as far as I can tell there isn't any physical damage to the part.

I'm just gonna take her to a shop and see if I can get a straight answer rather than committing to buying a new LCA which I might not need.

 

Any shop that does race-car setup & alignments should be familiar with aluminum control arms.

Bound to be one in the area.