Hello all.  98 OBW 250K 2.2.  Noticed the Front driver control arm rear bushing is leaking.  I can buy the bushing for $23.  Looks easy enough to swap.  After 20 years on the salt filled roads of PA should I expect it to be rust welded in place and should I just replace the control arm?  Can it really just be unbolted with control arm left on car?  Link to the part below

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Bushing-Left-Front-Lower-Control-Arm-Hydro-FEBEST-SAB-001L-OEM-20201-AC110/222331100045?epid=210174452&hash=item33c3f75b8d%3Ag%3AIdIAAOSwC-taHu~g&_sacat=0&_nkw=sab-001l&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

36 minutes ago, msmithmmx said:

Hello all.  98 OBW 250K 2.2.  Noticed the Front driver control arm rear bushing is leaking.  I can buy the bushing for $23.  Looks easy enough to swap.  After 20 years on the salt filled roads of PA should I expect it to be rust welded in place and should I just replace the control arm?  Can it really just be unbolted with control arm left on car?  Link to the part below

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Bushing-Left-Front-Lower-Control-Arm-Hydro-FEBEST-SAB-001L-OEM-20201-AC110/222331100045?epid=210174452&hash=item33c3f75b8d%3Ag%3AIdIAAOSwC-taHu~g&_sacat=0&_nkw=sab-001l&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

If it has only leaked it's fluid and seems otherwise solid, I'd keep driving.

I did replace them (sorta twice) on our 03 - if it helps, here's a link to the old thread; (pictures sadly gone - unless there's an image shack hack available for your browser)

 

https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/99-do-yourself-illustrated-guides/48910-lower-control-arm-rear-bushing-transverse-link-replaced-prothane-03-outback.html

Good post.  Sorry if I missed it.  Why did you cut the sleeve out when you can buy the entire unit already pressed?

They all leak. We just leave them. Never seems to cause any issues. With some spacers you could use the solid mounts from an STI, etc if desired.

Replacement complete units are around $80 from Subaru. 

GD

>  Can it really just be unbolted with control arm left on car?  

It can, I'd remove the ball joint from the knuckle to relieve spring pressure.  Then just the rear bushing can be undone and replaced by hand.  Otherwise you might need to use a jack to push things back up to bolt them in.  Loosen the big nut while it's in the car if you don't have an impact wrench.  Ideally you want to tighten the big nut last while the car is sitting on the ground.  I don't, it's been fine.

Have 4 spare driver side A-arms.

Shipped from CO.