2005 Baja needs rear upper control arms/upper links -- possible swap with Outback?

[toolhead]

Hi folks, new member here.

Proud owner of a 2005 MT N/A.

I've babied it and it runs like a Swiss watch, but I'm having a couple of issues.

One of the issues is the rear upper links are shot. Out of financial necessity I've gotten comfortable wrenching my car to save money. But when looking online for aftermarket parts, there are virtually none to be found. Seems like everyone is out of stock.

Subaru OEM shows $230 EACH!

https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2005_ ... AG15A.html

That's insane. I checked out some of the older threads on here to see about Outback/Legacy compatibility, and found a discussion about a full rear-suspension swap, and the consensus seemed to be that there was no consensus. However, after a bit of detective work, it looks like Part 20250AE031 from the older Outback matches the Baja:

https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru__/Sus ... AE031.html

To my naked eye, they look the same. But I realize there may be small differences in angle and length for camber & toe, so I'm wary.

Can anyone tell me if these Outback links can be a direct swap for the Baja?

If so, that would be awesome because RockAuto sells a Moog aftermarket version for 40 bucks!

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 01&jsn=836

[anarchy1024]

Well, this doesn't clearly answer your question, but...

The RockAuto site says your linked part is compatible with the 2003 Baja, and AFAIK, the only difference from 2003 to 2004-2006 is the latter uses stiffer springs to give a slight ride height increase. Therefore, if that's true, the linked part should work with your '05.

Also, for my 2002 Outback, I had a similar problem: at the time I couldn't find the "official" compatible rear upper control arm parts, so I used one for the 2000-2009 Legacy (according to RockAuto, https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8877964, https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8877968). Visually they looked the same (where it mattered, anyway... bolt holes and bump stop "pad" in the same positions, overall "beefiness" seemed similar, didn't interfere/contact with anything else), and when I brought it to get an alignment, they had no problems getting everything within spec. So, to me, that sounds like it's a compatible part.

So, if it were me, based on what I know and my experience, for $40 I'd try it out.

Another possibility is, if it's just the bushings that are worn out, buy replacement bushings and bring it to a shop to have them pressed in. Bring a case of beer and they might even do it for free. The rest of the part is solid cast steel, so not sure how that would wear out...

Also (someone correct me if I'm wrong), don't tighten the arm nuts/bolts with the wheel in the fully-dropped/unloaded position; raise the wheel to normal ride height (with a jack or something), then tighten everything down.

[toolhead]

Thanks for the reply!

The RockAuto site says your linked part is compatible with the 2003 Baja, and AFAIK, the only difference from 2003 to 2004-2006 is the latter uses stiffer springs to give a slight ride height increase. Therefore, if that's true, the linked part should work with your '05.

I suspect you are *probably* correct about this, but have a look at this old post from the board. It shows the 2003 Baja's had skinnier upper control arms. I'm guessing it shouldn't make a difference if the length and angle measurements are the same. And as you say, it is cast iron:

viewtopic.php?p=16481#p16481

I am going to take your advice and try out the RockAuto Moog. Will report back later.

One last question: I was under the impression that if your alignment is good, that you should be able to just replace those upper control arms and call it a day. Are you saying that even if the new part was OEM spec, I would still need to go for a new alignment?

[toolhead]

UPDATE:

So, I pulled the trigger on the Outback arms, and with a little help from the BIL, installed them a couple of days ago. So far, so good. No issues to speak of, though I will be keeping an eye on the tire wear to look out for any alignment issues.

So, let it be known that Subaru Part #20250AE031 and #20250AE051 for older Outbacks ***WILL*** fit 2005 Bajas. I'm guessing it should work on all model years, though 2003 is iffy because they had skinnier arms that more closely match the old Legacy.

Even better, the aftermarket Moog version is a much cheaper alternative I'm sure most will be happy with. The RockAuto link is in the OP.

When I lined up the old and new arms side by side, the OEM was slightly taller, but not by much. The relevant lengths and angles seem to be the same.

The job was a bit more difficult than I had anticipated. I'm glad I had help because I wouldn't have been able to do it myself (your mileage may vary). Two days before the job, I got under the car with some PB Blaster in the morning before work, and then again at night before bed. It is REALLY hard to get to those bushings with the wheels on the ground, so the night before the job, I put the car on jackstands, removed the wheels and was then able to douse the bushings real good. Even with all that, it still required multiple applications of PB Blaster to get the inner bolts free. The driver side was particularly bad, and for a while it looked like we might need to throw in the towel. But we started getting creative with various breaker-bar/ratchet/wrench/pipe combinations until we got it done.

The only other bit of difficulty was lining up the outer bushing hole with the bracket in order to push the bolt through. We had a floorjack under the hub to adjust the level, a long punch serving as an alignment pin, and a screwdriver wedged in the bottom when we needed to nudge the bushing higher. Not that bad. However, something that was not in the videos and write-ups that I had read and watched, showed the parking brake line. On my Baja at least, that really stiff parking brake line made it hard to get the socket on the bolt, and then later made it hard lining up the bolt to push through the new bushing. Somehow we managed.

Final verdict: my squeaks and creaks are GONE. I was pretty sure those upper links were the culprit. So that's nice. However, I had also been unhappy with the ride feel in the rear. Going over bumps it just felt stiff/rumbly/clunky. I was hoping the two problems were related. But now, while the ride is a tiny bit more smooth, I still have the problem. I'm guessing at my mileage, most of the bushings in my rear suspension need replacing. But I don't know how to diagnose which one is the main culprit. I took a look at everything, and yeah they are all dry and slightly cracked, but nothing jumps out at me. (With the upper links, I could see some of the rubber shredded and squirting out of the side).

Anyone got any ideas on what might be the main culprit, or at least, which part I could replace that would give me the most bang for the buck?

[EDIT: Forgot to add that I had the rear struts replaced about a year and a half ago. So I doubt that's the culprit. But who knows?]

Thanks!

[greymud]

My 05 was squeaking if you sneezed next to it. Replaced the back spring/strut assembly and it all hush hush now. I'm assuming I'll need to do the front shortly - they may be the original ones for all I know.

[anarchy1024]

When my rear shocks were completely beyond-worn, they started making clunking noises that sounded like a suspension bolt was loose or something like that.

But since yours were replaced recently, assuming done properly, with decent parts, it's unlikely to be the issue...

Planning to do the upper control arms on my Baja next weekend, but I'm not having the same symptoms as you, so couldn't really say what is likely to be the problem.

[new_2_soobaaroo]

UPDATE:


Anyone got any ideas on what might be the main culprit, or at least, which part I could replace that would give me the most bang for the buck?

I replaced all the control arm bushings in the rear of my '05 recently. The trailing arm bushings were in really bad shape, as were the upper control arm bushings. Ride quality had been rather bumpy and noisy, and a bit squirrelly in the snow. Seemed to fix the issues.

Unfortunately, the subframe must have been rustier than it appeared. I hit a pothole a couple of weeks ago and tore the upper control arm mount loose. Not real eager to tear it all back apart again.

Bought a '21 Crosstrek to drive while the Baja is down, but I do miss the 5 speed and the turbo.