MajorCommonSuspension

Hyundai ix35: Front Lower Control Arm Rear Bush Failure — Shimmy

Front Lower Control Arm Rear Bush Failure — Shimmy is a common suspension fault on the Hyundai ix35 on the 2010–2015 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $350 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 41 documented faults on the Hyundai ix35.

Vehicle: Hyundai ix35
Years: 2010–2015
System: Suspension

This page covers the Hyundai ix35 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Hyundai ix35 faults41 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The rear pivot bush of the front lower control arm on the ix35 and Tucson LM deteriorates with age and mileage, particularly on NZ and AU roads with loose chip surfaces, road salt exposure, or high urban cycling. Degraded bush rubber allows the control arm to shift rearward under braking and acceleration, producing a steering shimmy or vibration most noticeable at 80-110 km/h. Worn bushes also cause progressive inner front tyre edge wear and imprecise, vague steering response. Bush replacement typically requires lowering the front subframe crossmember to gain adequate access.

What you would notice

Steering shimmy or vibration between 80-110 km/h
Clunking from front suspension over bumps or under braking
Uneven front tyre wear concentrated on inner edge
Imprecise, wandering, or vague steering feel
Vehicle pulling to one side under heavy braking

How to check it

Where to look. Front suspension — lower control arm rear pivot bush, left and right

Inspect bush rubber for cracking, splitting, or extrusion out of the housing.
Check wheel alignment toe and camber for drift caused by bush movement.
Inspect front tyre inner edges for wear severity.
If a workshop inspection is possible: With vehicle on hoist, grasp lower control arm and check for fore-and-aft play at the rear bush mounting point.

What it costs to put right

$350 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“When was the last wheel alignment performed?”
“Have you noticed a vibration or shimmy at highway speeds?”
“Have the front suspension bushes been inspected or replaced?”

Now check the Hyundai ix35 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Hyundai ix35 buyer questions

Is front lower control arm rear bush failure — shimmy serious on a Hyundai ix35?

We rate it major and common on the Hyundai ix35. The rear pivot bush of the front lower control arm on the ix35 and Tucson LM deteriorates with age and mileage, particularly on NZ and AU roads with loose chip surfaces, road salt exposure, or high urban cycling. Degraded bush rubber allows the control arm to shift rearward under braking and acceleration, producing a steering shimmy or vibration most noticeable at 80-110 km/h. Worn bushes also cause progressive inner front tyre edge wear and imprecise, vague steering response. Bush replacement typically requires lowering the front subframe crossmember to gain adequate access.

How much does it cost to fix on a Hyundai ix35?

$350 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Hyundai ix35 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2010–2015 Hyundai ix35. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Inspect bush rubber for cracking, splitting, or extrusion out of the housing. Check wheel alignment toe and camber for drift caused by bush movement. Inspect front tyre inner edges for wear severity. If a workshop inspection is possible: With vehicle on hoist, grasp lower control arm and check for fore-and-aft play at the rear bush mounting point. Look here: Front suspension — lower control arm rear pivot bush, left and right