Wheel bearing and Transverse link

I am looking into replacing the transverse link aka (control arm) of my MY04 WRX Sedan. I don't think I will be able to do the wheel bearing, but will survey the situation during that time to see if I will try. Currently to replace both at the dealer it will be about $1200 in parts and labor. Not really a big fan of that. This would be the first time I took on a control arm to replace, but not really the first time for doing major work on a vehicle. Could someone let me know if they have done this type of work and what I might possible problems that I might encounter if I do this work my self.

I would be willing to also look at going to a Subaru friendly shop as well in the Twin Cities, if I could get a better rate then the previously stated one.

 

Are you talking about a front control arm, rear lateral link or rear trailing link? Front or rear wheel bearing? Either way, you will need the special tool or a press to do the wheel bearing.

A shop you could try for a cheaper price is Dave Steffens Automotive at 612.781.1788. Todd Erickson works there.

 

Special tools are for suckers.

 

The front left control arm is bent. Funny part is they could align it for the time being. Which does not make much sense or it's not bent much.

 

Morganm,

I said you need the special tool OR a press. If you are doing bearings without either, I don't want you doing bearings on any of my stuff!!!

NezorF,

Replacing the control arm is not a big operation but you will want to have the car aligned again after the replacement.

 

i pulled my front right control arm a while ago to replace a bushing. although i have a GC style car it should be relatively the same. it will come off easy enough. use some wd40 on the bolts and drive on it for a while to work it in. the bolts shoudl come off easy enough i had some issues with the 2 large bolts that secure it to the chasis. i used a large pipe + ratchet combo to remove them. putting the new one on is the tricky part. because the wheel is off and the suspension is pushing the control arm down. so it is hard to put the one large bolt in (its on the one on the inside sid eof the control arm) but if you use a scissors jack to hold it up it should go on just fine (not becareful with these bolts they thread into a nut which is welded into the chasis. stripping the bolt or the nut would be bad)

hope this helped.

 

Man I let subaru do it for me at the dealer, Thanks eric!!!