A control arm bushing replacement costs $290 to $437 in 2026
A control arm bushing replacement costs $290 to $437 in 2026 for common cars, per RepairPal. Its national average is $321 to $437. Labor is about $204 to $300 and parts are about $117 to $137. CarParts.com puts the total shop price at $400 to $900 per side for common cars, with rubber bushings at $30 to $150 per pair. AutoZone says one front control arm replacement could be between $80 and $650 or so.
Control arm bushing replacement cost by car
RepairPal lists these ranges for the most common cars. Your year and engine move the price inside each range.
| Car | Price, parts and labor |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $309 to $436 |
| Ford F-150 | $290 to $399 |
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| RepairPal | National average $321 to $437. Labor is about $204 to $300 and parts are about $117 to $137. |
| CarParts.com | CarParts.com puts the total shop price at $400 to $900 per side for common cars, with rubber bushings at $30 to $150 per pair. |
| AutoZone | AutoZone says one front control arm replacement could be between $80 and $650 or so. |
| J.D. Power | J.D. Power says the arm part costs $220 to $530, and labor adds $150 to $200. |
What pushes the quote up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Bushing or whole arm | Pressing out a bushing takes skill. Many shops sell a whole arm with new bushings instead. |
| Rubber or polyurethane | Poly bushings cost more than rubber ones. |
| Which arm | Upper and lower arms differ in how hard they are to reach. |
| Press tools and rust | Rusty arms are hard to work on. That adds labor time. |
| Alignment | You need an alignment after this job. It adds about $100 or more. |
How to tell you need it
- You hear clunking or knocking over bumps, or the steering feels loose.
- The car pulls to one side, or the front tires wear on the inside edge.
- A shop pries on the arm and sees cracked, torn, or loose bushings.
What the price includes
The price usually covers the new bushings, pressing out the old ones, and putting the arm back on. Some quotes also include an alignment, but many do not. It does not include tax, shop supply fees, or other repairs the shop finds while the car is in.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the price is for the bushings only or for a whole control arm with new bushings.
- Ask if it is for one side or both sides.
- Ask if an alignment is in the price.
- Ask what brand of bushing or arm they use, and how long the warranty is.
- Compare the total with the range above: $290 to $437 for most cars.
Ways to pay less
- Compare the cost of a whole new arm with new bushings. It is often about the same or lower.
- Do both sides at once. It saves labor and keeps the car even.
- Do the alignment at the same visit, so you only pay for it once.
- Ask a local suspension shop for a quote. They often charge less than a dealer.
Dealer or independent shop
RepairPal puts labor for a control arm bushing replacement at $204 to $300. At the typical independent shop rate of about $140 an hour, that is about 1.8 hours of work. A dealer charging $200 an hour would bill about $360 for the same labor, and a $100 an hour shop about $180. Parts cost about the same anywhere, so the shop rate is where you can save. See what mechanics charge an hour.
Why this costs more in 2026
Shop labor now runs about $100 to $250 an hour. Many car parts are imported, and freight costs went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Steel, copper, aluminum and resin prices are up too, and they go into almost every part. Bushings are steel sleeves bonded to rubber or polyurethane, and the steel and the petroleum based rubber and urethane inside them cost more now.
How we got these numbers
The national range, the labor and parts split and the prices by car come from RepairPal's control arm bushing replacement estimate, last updated September 3, 2026. We checked them against CarParts.com, AutoZone and J.D. Power, and read every number on the source page on October 7, 2026. These are planning ranges, not quotes. Your shop's written estimate is the real price.
Common questions
How much do control arm bushings cost to replace?
CarParts.com says a shop total is about $400 to $900 per side. Bushings alone run $30 to $150 per pair. RepairPal puts the range at $321 to $437.
Can I drive with bad control arm bushings?
You can for a short time, but it is not safe for long. Worn bushings make the steering loose and wear out your tires. Get it checked soon.
How long does it take?
CarParts.com says it takes two to four hours of labor per side. Rusty or stuck parts can take longer.
Can I do it myself?
It is hard. Bushings must be pressed out, and that needs special tools. Many people buy a whole new arm and bolt it on instead.