New member! - already have questions ;-)

[Devon]

Hi all,

I recently bought a 2010 Forester (not the turbo) and loving it so far.

However... it makes a few noises on the bumpy lanes down here in Devon so I took into the local garage for them to look at the bushes. The front bushes can be changed but the arms at the back are so rusty, I really need replacement arms. I'm not sure it would pass the next MoT anyway. Some arms have holes rusted through.

Anyone have any ideas? How easy are they to find at a breakers? What is new part availability like?

Devon

[Jay762]

Wotcha and welcome

 

Is this what you are looking for??

https://www.1stsubaruparts.com/oem-parts/subaru-lateral-arm-and-ball-joint-assembly-20250fg021?c=Zz1yZWFyLXN1c3BlbnNpb24mcz1yZWFyLXN1c3BlbnNpb24mbD0xNCZuPUFzc2VtYmxpZXMgUGFnZSZhPXN1YmFydSZvPWZvcmVzdGVyJnk9MjAxMCZ0PXgtcHJlbWl1bSZlPTItNWwtaDQtZ2Fz

If so ICP have them in stock

https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/parts-info?id=10920&cat=96&sub=457&sec=458&var=38&dc=0&gen=&searchKey=&searchPart=

 

Or as an alternative I had mine blasted, to remove the rust, then I painted them replacing the bush with a poly aftermarket item

[Mr B]

Assume you referring to lower lateral link on the rear and perhaps the trailing link also rusty
Used from a breakers local or via eBay would be best cost solution, diesel SH and later SJ is same suspension arms and plenty of them are scrapped (can buy them complete with failed engines for less than 500 quid and plenty dead ones around in devon) .
If doing bushes only use oem or top end brand aftermarket . Suspension is one of those areas if buy the wrong brand parts you have more clonks and rattles by your next mot lol .

New genuine bushes are not expensive, companies like ICP and subaru parts specialists selling on eBay give you pretty good pricing for original parts.
New arms won't be that cheap but used can be and with a bit of effort you should find decent used .
If rear end crusty it be worth cleaning it off and getting suspension parts and subframe sprayed with corrosion wax/oil treatment as will save some future big bills and make things look more respectable .
 

[Devon]

Thanks for your advice.

I think it's going to need the whole rear sub-frame so maybe buying a donor car would be the best way. But wouldn't any other car of a similar age/model have the same rust issues?

What do you think the cost of a whole new rear subframe would be?

[Mr B]

level of rust really depends on how vehicle been used/cleaned, I see a few 23 year old foresters that 100% solid and clean underneath, one of which lived on farm for good 15 years but it regularly wash underneath .
If yours is a mess then a subframe/arm swap to very good used example is way to go.
Brand new subframe possibly around 300 to 400 pound range but by time you add all bolts/washes/nuts/bushes it serious money.

Your best bet is buy a dead engine clean forester diesel off of marketplace gumtree eBay etc and take all suspension parts needed and anything else that better/spares  and weigh in the rest . (up to around 2014 should be same subframe/setup)

Used Subaru Parts Ltd is in collumpton devon so they perhaps useful .

First thing do is be 100% sure how far you need/want go, is the subframe like a wet weetabix or is it just bad surface corrosion but still solid .
 

 

[Jay762]

A rear subframe new bolt kit is circa £100 - looked into it as part of my Impreza build

[Devon]

Thanks for the suggestion to contact Used Subaru Parts @Mr B, they're checking if they have what I need.

I don't fancy the hassle of buying a non runner, stripping it, and selling what's left. It wouldn't fit in my stock trailer anyway!

I plan to keep the car for a long time so I don't mind spending some money on new parts if necessary; I'm glad to hear it's only £300-400 for the subframe - I was worried it would be a lot more. Sounds like I could get the whole lot changed for maybe £600-800.

[Mr B]

I would not like say what would cost without seeing it but subframe and most rear arms all oem new fitted not going be cheap.
Bushes and bolts even in bolt kits all adds up on the bill (although subaru oem bolts and bushes can be sourced at pretty sensible pricing), if rear pretty rusty what the brake lines and exhaust like ?
problems with handbrake cable and speed sensor brackets on particularly rusted vehicles can be additional hassle/expense during removal/refitting .
You going want 4 wheel alignment at end of replacement work and proper effort rather than a quick-fit toe and go is another chunk of change to the final tally .
I'm going guess it likely looks worse than truly is . If you get lucky with proper tidy used subframe complete with arms it will work out very cheap .

[Devon]

Just wanted to follow up with what I've started! I picked up a rear subframe from Used Subaru Parts in Devon this morning. It's from a car with ~60k miles and is in much better condition that the one in my car (which started life in Scotland). There are a few bits I'll still need from a dealer if the parts already on my car can't be moved over.

Time get wire brushing and wax oiling before I ask someone to fit it for me.

[Jay762]

You will starting a project thread next - it is a slippery slope

[Devon]

Update on the rear subframe....

After buying lots of brass wire wheels to take off the rust, I decided having someone shotblast it would be much easier and end up with a better job. £50 later, I had a clean subframe. I've sprayed it inside and out with Dinitrol and bought a whole set of new bolts from ICP.

Just need to wait for the local garage to fit it in the new year.