Parts for your 2012 Subaru Xv-Control arms

2012 Subaru XV control arms — what they do and how to look after them

Control arms are absolutely fitted to the 2012 Subaru XV. Technical sources confirm this: the Subaru Workshop Manual for the 2012 GP/GP7 platform details a MacPherson strut front suspension with a lower control arm carrying the ball joint, and a rear double-wishbone layout that uses control arms/lateral links and a trailing arm. The Subaru genuine parts catalogue and common aftermarket catalogues also list front lower control arm assemblies and rear control arms for the 2012 XV, so the part is both relevant and serviceable on this model.

On the XV, the front lower control arms locate the wheel hub and let the suspension move up and down while keeping alignment controlled. They tie the chassis to the steering knuckle via bushes and a ball joint, helping the car track straight and feel planted under braking and cornering. At the rear, the control arms (often called lateral links in Subaru literature) set camber and toe, keeping the back end stable and protecting tyres from odd wear.

As kilometres add up, rubber bushes can crack or soften, and ball joints can develop play. That shows up as clunks over bumps, vague steering, tramlining, or inside-edge tyre wear. WOF inspections in New Zealand commonly pick up torn ball-joint boots or excessive bush movement on higher‑km XVs.

Good service practice is to have the control arms and bushes inspected at each service or at least every 20,000 km. If wear is found, there are two main approaches: press in new bushes/ball joints, or replace the whole arm assembly. Many owners opt for complete arms because they come with new bushes and a pre-installed ball joint, saving time and avoiding pressing gear. After any control arm work, a four-wheel alignment is essential to reset camber and toe.

A few pro tips for this model help the job last:

• Torque the control arm pivot bolts with the vehicle at ride height to avoid preloading and premature bush failure.
• Consider replacing arms in axle pairs so handling stays even left-to-right.
• If off-roading or beach driving is on the cards, rinse the underbody to minimise corrosion around arm mounts and cam bolts.
• Choose quality bushes (OE or reputable polyurethane where appropriate) to keep NVH civil and alignment stable.

Looked after, the XV’s control arms quietly get on with the job, delivering tidy steering feel and even tyre wear, whether commuting or heading out of town for the weekend.

Popular questions about 2012 Subaru XV control arms

How long do control arm bushes and ball joints last on a 2012 XV?
Service life varies with roads and load, but many XVs see bushes starting to soften around 120,000–180,000 km, with ball-joint wear showing up later. Regular inspections during services or WOFs will catch early signs before they affect tyre wear or braking stability.

Do they need a wheel alignment after replacing control arms?
Yes. Changing arms, bushes, or ball joints alters geometry. A proper four-wheel alignment on the XV sets camber and toe front and rear, protecting tyres and keeping steering straight and true.

Can the bushes be replaced separately, or is a complete arm better?
Both are viable. Pressing in bushes is cost-effective if workshop tooling is available and the arm is otherwise sound. Complete arms save time, include a fresh ball joint, and are often the smarter choice when labour rates and downtime are considered.