Lower Control Arm Bushing Bad Says Tech

Tried to get my 95 Civic (120k miles) aligned today at what I feel is
a reputable local shop. They put it up and said that the bushings in
my lower control arms are bad so they can't balance it. They said
they have to get the control arms from Honda and the parts alone are
$250 per side. Couple that with 1.3 hours of labor per side and these
little bushing would run me $755. Is there an easier way out of this?
I can't see it being this expensive, but I know there is something
wrong with my alignment. What should I do?

 

You might try some online parts stores. Majestic Honda shows them at $192.
You might also check with some auto parts stores locally for possibly
rebuilt units....

 

run, don't walk, away.

Bushing run about $50 per side. The control arm should never have to be
replaced unless the car was in an accident.

 

$192 just for a bushing? Or is it not replaceable without replacing the
control arm?

 

OK, I see that my local tire shop isn't the proper place to go for
this sort of repair. I don't think they were trying to screw me,
probably just above their knowledge. What sort of place should I call
for quotes. The car was never in an accident so the arm itself should
be fine, and they did say it was just the bushings that were shot.
They were hesitant about recommending the $750 service too vs just
driving it.

Another sort of similar problem I have that I might want to address
while they are working on the car is that the CV boot has cracked on
both sides. It's not leaking yet, but I would say soon it will. What
should I do about it and how much is reasonable to pay? I would
assume the labor should be cheaper as it's right in the same area in
the car. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Good luck finding the bushing as they aren't available separately. They are
apparently built in the arm......

 

Get them replaced immediately and NEVER return to that shop again.
It is very likely that they were cut.

 

Oh, come on. A nearly nine-year-old car with 120K miles? It's very
plausible that the boots are worn out.

 

Front lower arm bushings:
51392-SR3-024
51810-SH3-004

Rear trailing arm bushing:
52385-SR3-000

Rear lower arm bushing
52365-SH3-000
52622-SH3-010