Parts for your 2008 Subaru Impreza-Control arms

2008 Subaru Impreza Control Arms — What They Do and When to Service Them

Control arms absolutely are used on the 2008 Subaru Impreza. The Subaru Factory Service Manual for the 2008MY Impreza (GE/GH/GR), along with OEM parts catalogues and common aftermarket fitment guides, list front lower control arms (also called transverse links) and rear control arms (lateral links) as core suspension components. Up front it’s a MacPherson strut layout with a single lower control arm per side, at the rear the Impreza runs a double-wishbone arrangement using multiple control arms to locate the hub.

On this model, control arms are the load-bearing links that connect the wheel hubs to the body, managing alignment angles like camber and caster while allowing the suspension to move freely. Each arm pivots on rubber (or sometimes polyurethane) bushes at the chassis end and a ball joint or inner bush at the knuckle end. They keep the steering sharp, the tyres wearing evenly and the car tracking straight, whether it’s a daily commute or a weekend run over a bumpy back road.

As part of regular servicing, control arms and their bushes/ball joints should be visually checked every 10,000–15,000 km or at each service. Australia and New Zealand roads and the odd kerb strike can accelerate wear. Typical signs it’s time for attention include:

• Clunks or knocks over bumps, vague steering, or tramlining
• Uneven or rapid inner/outer tyre wear
• Pulling under braking or shimmy through the wheel
• Cracked, split or oil-soaked bushes, or torn ball joint boots

Owners can replace just the worn bushes/ball joints or swap in complete arms. Complete arms often save time and restore factory feel in one hit. If going for firmer aftermarket bushes, expect sharper response with a touch more NVH. When fitting, always torque the arm bolts at normal ride height to avoid pre-loading the bushes, use new hardware where specified, and book a proper wheel alignment straight after. It’s also smart to inspect sway bar links and rear trailing arm bushes at the same time, as wear often shows up together.

Looked after, the Impreza’s control arms will keep alignment stable, braking confident and steering feel tidy for plenty of kilometres.

How long do control arm bushes and ball joints last on a 2008 Impreza?

In local conditions, many see 100,000–160,000 km before noticeable play or cracking shows up, but rough roads, big potholes or performance driving can shorten that. Regular inspections and prompt replacement when wear appears will protect tyres and steering feel.

Can just the bushes be replaced, or is a full arm swap better?

Both approaches work. Replacing individual bushes/ball joints is cost-effective if the arm itself isn’t bent or rusted. Complete arms are quicker to install, often include new bushes and ball joints, and can be the better bet if multiple parts are tired.

Do all 2008 Impreza models use the same control arms?

No. Base models, WRX and STI can run different arms, materials and bush specs. Part numbers vary by trim, body style and market. Always match parts to the VIN or build plate to ensure correct fit and alignment geometry.