Parts for your 2017 Subaru Impreza-Control arms

2017 Subaru Impreza Control Arms: What They Do and When to Service Them

Technical sources confirm the 2017 Subaru Impreza is fitted with control arms. The Subaru service manual for 2017MY Impreza (Chassis: Front and Rear Suspension) specifies a MacPherson strut front end with a lower control arm and a rear double-wishbone layout using lateral links/control arms. Subaru Global Platform technical materials released for the 2017 model year also describe this arrangement, and the Subaru parts catalogue for GK/GT Impreza lists front lower arm assemblies and rear lateral link arms.

On this Impreza, the control arms anchor the wheels to the body whilst allowing the suspension to move freely. Up front, the lower control arm locates the hub and sets key geometry like caster and camber, keeping steering stable over bumps and through corners. At the rear, the double-wishbone links (effectively control arms) manage toe and camber so the car tracks straight and grips predictably. Bushes in the arms isolate vibration, and the front lower ball joint lets the hub pivot smoothly for steering.

There isn’t a fixed replacement interval for control arms or bushes, condition and kilometres driven matter more. As a rule of thumb for Aussie and Kiwi roads—think corrugations, gravel, potholes, and the odd kerb strike—inspect every 20,000–30,000 km or at each service. Expect front lower arm bushes or ball joints to need attention somewhere between 80,000 and 150,000 km, sooner if the car sees rough roads.

• Common signs of wear: clunks over bumps, vague steering, pulling under braking, uneven or rapid tyre wear, and instability at highway speeds.
• Visual checks: split or oil-soaked rubber bushes, torn ball joint boots, rusted sleeves, and bent arms from impact.

When replacement’s due, many owners choose to fit complete arms for simplicity, but quality bushes and ball joints can be pressed in where applicable. Use new self-locking nuts, and torque all fasteners at normal ride height to avoid pre-loading the bushes. A four-wheel alignment is essential afterwards—this resets camber and toe so tyres wear evenly and the steering wheel sits straight.

Given New Zealand’s coastal environments and parts of Australia with road spray, keep an eye out for corrosion around sleeves and bolts, anti-seize on reassembly helps for the next service. Genuine or high-quality aftermarket parts are both fine—what matters is correct fit, the right hardness (durometer) for bushes, and following Subaru torque specs.

• Does a 2017 Subaru Impreza have control arms?
  Yes. The front uses a MacPherson strut with a lower control arm, and the rear uses a double-wishbone arrangement with control arm links. This layout is documented in the 2017 Impreza service manual and Subaru’s Global Platform technical materials.
• How often should control arm bushes be replaced?
  There’s no set interval. Inspect at each service or at least every 20,000–30,000 km. Many cars need front bushes or ball joints between 80,000 and 150,000 km, depending on driving conditions.
• Is a wheel alignment required after replacing control arms?
  Absolutely. Any change to arms, bushes, or ball joints can alter camber and toe. A proper four-wheel alignment protects tyres and restores straight-line stability and steering feel.