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Home/Services/Control arm and bushing replacement
Suspension and steering
Control arm and bushing replacement in Helsinki
We replace front and rear control arms and bushings on passenger cars and small vans. We choose the repair method based on the car’s design, the condition of the parts and the price of the parts.
Four-wheel alignment during the same visitReplacing a control arm can change the wheel position – we recommend an alignment straight after the repair, 79 €.
- Control arm replacement from 85 €
- Four-wheel alignment 79 €
- Quality parts: FAG, Febi, Lemförder
- Repairs of inspection faults
from 85 €
Control arm replacement. On most cars, replacing one control arm takes about an hour on average, i.e. 85 €.
✓ Included in the work
- removing the old control arm and fitting the new one
× Not included in the price
- parts and any new fasteners needed
- four-wheel alignment
- more demanding designs and seized bolts – charged by the hour at 85 €/h
During the same visit
Four-wheel alignment
79 €
Recommended after replacing control arms and bushings. Four-wheel alignment
Chassis inspection
20 €
If the exact cause of the fault is not known, we start with an inspection. Chassis inspection
Good to know: in Finnish conditions, suspension bolts often rust solid. If a bolt has to be cut or a part replaced at the same time, we tell you and agree on the extra work before continuing.
Prices include VAT at 25.5%.
When does a control arm or bushing need replacing?
A repair may be needed if:
- there is play in the suspension
- a bushing is torn, cracked or has come away from its metal sleeve
- there is knocking or thumping when driving or braking
- a control arm is bent or damaged
- the fault was found at the inspection or during a chassis inspection
Not sure what the fault is?
Start with a chassis inspection
Inspection 20 €We check the chassis on the lift and tell you which part needs replacing.
Inspection reportSend us the report – from the entry we can often see whether we can give you a quote straight away.
Quote before the workWe tell you the parts and the labour price before the repair.
A control arm or just the bushing?
The suspension design varies between car models. On some cars the bushing can be replaced separately, on others replacing the whole control arm is the more sensible solution. Rear beam and trailing arm bushings and BMW thrust arm bushings: bushing replacement.
- when a separate bushing is replaced, the control arm is usually removed, the old bushing is pressed out and the new one fitted – worthwhile if the control arm itself is in good condition; otherwise we suggest the whole control arm
- some bushings are replaced without removing the control arm: for example the aluminium-housed rear bushings of the front lower control arms on VW, Škoda, SEAT and Audi, which are bolted on – approx. 42.50–51 € each, about half an hour
- a new control arm often already includes new bushings and sometimes a ball joint – if the total costs are close, replacing the whole control arm is usually better
Ball joint
Separately or with the control arm
BoltedIf the ball joint is bolted on, it is worth replacing separately – the work is quick.
RivetedA factory-fitted ball joint is usually riveted or pinned: the rivets have to be cut, the work takes clearly longer, and replacing the whole control arm is often cheaper.
We decide on the spotYou cannot always tell from the outside whether the ball joint is original (rivets) or already replaced (bolts). We assess this during the inspection and suggest the most cost-effective option.
Seized and rusted bolts
In Finnish conditions, suspension mounting bolts can rust badly.
- a bolt can rust into the metal sleeve of the bushing so tightly that it will not come out normally
- in that case the bolt is cut and a new one fitted
- if an adjustment or mounting bolt has rusted solid, the part may have to be replaced at the same time
- this can increase the amount of work – we always agree on it before continuing
After the repair
Four-wheel alignment
WhyReplacing suspension parts can affect the wheel position, and many control arms have mountings related to adjusting the wheel angles.
EspeciallyAfter repairing a multi-link suspension and replacing control arms that affect adjustable angles.
79 €3D measurement and adjustment during the same visit. Read more
Frequently asked questions
How much does control arm replacement cost?
From 85 €. On most cars, replacing one control arm takes about an hour on average. More demanding designs are charged by the hour – we give you an estimate before the work. Parts and four-wheel alignment are charged separately.
Is a four-wheel alignment needed?
We recommend it after replacing control arms and bushings, because replacing the parts can change the wheel position. The alignment costs 79 €.
Are control arms replaced in pairs?
Not always – usually the worn or damaged part is replaced. On some cars, however, replacing in pairs is advisable. For example, the front tension struts (front thrust rods) on Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Tesla are worth replacing on both sides so that the wheel position and handling stay the same. We give our recommendation during the inspection.
Why do control arms and bushings wear quickly in Finland?
Road salt in winter and large temperature differences – cold winters and hot summers – wear the rubber parts of bushings and rust control arms and mounting bolts. That is why suspension parts often wear faster here than in a milder climate.
Which parts do you recommend?
We recommend quality parts, for example FAG, Febi or Lemförder. The cheapest parts often wear quickly in Finnish conditions, so a quality part usually works out cheaper in the long run.
What if a bolt will not come undone?
A rusted bolt is cut and a new one fitted. If a part needs to be replaced at the same time, we agree on it before continuing.
Rear adjustment bolts seized – do you replace the control arms?
Yes. On Volkswagen, Škoda, SEAT, Audi and some Fords, the rear axle adjustment bolts often turn together with the bushing, so the alignment cannot be adjusted. We cut the bolts and fit control arms with new adjustment bolts: labour 170–212.50 € on average, followed by a four-wheel alignment. More on the four-wheel alignment page.
Request a quote for control arm replacement
Send us:
- the car’s registration number
- which control arm or bushing – or a description of the symptom
- the inspection report, if the fault was found at the inspection
If the cause of the fault is not certain, we start with a chassis inspection (20 €).
Call 050 599 0357 (Mon–Fri 9–17)
or message us on WhatsApp or email asiakaspalvelu@primpex.fi