Posted this back in December but nobody was able to reply.

 

While performing some basic maintenance on my 05 Legacy 2.5I with 50,000 miles I notice that the front control arm (or A arm) bushing shows some damage. This bushing is attached to the car body and keeps the control arm from being pushed back. The bushing shows signs that the rubber has lost contact with the metal suround and has a torn out section (approx 5/8") clearly visible. The picture shows the bushing from the top but both top an bottom look similar. Both sides of the car show the same bushing problem. The car has mostly highway miles an has never been offroad or handled rough. Is this reason for concern? Should these bushings be replaced? Has anyone had a similar problem? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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If there is no knocking, play in the suspension when the car is boumced, wierd handling, or seperation of the bushing from the metal sleeve insert its fine.

 

If any of those apply replace it.