After talking my car up about how well it has treated me and having to do nothing to it with now planning to get rid of it, she's decided to leak oil from the front left bush (behind the front left wheel, where wishbone attached to the front frame).

Has anyone had to change one of these? What's the part cost and how much time does it take for a mechanic, or yourself?

leaking oil? how can this be? does this thing contain oil?

Nope. Must be leaking down from upstairs.

Good joke though: "Bush leaking oil". I had a little chuckle when I read that.

One of them does. It would be good to know which one for future reference.

I know some engine mounts are filled with silicone fluid to dampen vibration from the engine, but not suspension bushes. I'm prepared to be corrected by anyone who has dissected one, though.

My car has the odd leak and thought a new one had started, but given the position (near the wheel) thought it might have have been travelling down the steering arm and leaking power steering fluid. But the oil is quite sticky and stiff, almost like honey (could almost be a silicone). The bush is is covered in the bottom half...with no source above to be seen. I took the wheel off to have a good look around, but couldn't find any source other than coming from the lower half of the bush.

Some searching on the interwebz shows leaky bushes aren't unheard of, some are oil filled...

It makes sense as it only started since I crashed into a pot hole at speed which may have put a lot of stress on the bush.

Edit: Great...the more I read this the more I have to giggle too....it's suspension parts people!

pretty sure it does have fluid in it. Mine was leaking and i replaced it

OK then - sounds like I just learnt something new! (Just when I thought I knew it all! lol)

Just did some research -
Leaky Subby bush

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/attachments/f70/1725d1149909134-silicone-leaking-bush-suspension.jpg

Nissan silicone filled bush - only $245!!

http://www.cockramnissan.co.nz/shop-online/images/P11BOTTOMARMBUSH_001.JPG

I know some engine mounts are filled with silicone fluid to dampen vibration from the engine, but not suspension bushes. I'm prepared to be corrected by anyone who has dissected one, though.

You are corrected Max....again :)

The front lower control arm bush at the rear has 2 sorts

One is a slide on sort, the other is fastened by a large $22mm from memory) nut, these ones are fluid filled. They are avail from Mits and are in the mid $100's. I do NOT recommend using anything other than the rubber bushes in Magna front ends despite the popularity of plastic rubbish which I feel the popularity is more because of the fact they are cheaper. Remember that cheaper is not always better

You are corrected Max....again :)

It's OK Mal. I did some web research and corrected myself. See post above yours. lol

Must check which type is on my car. With nut = expensive fluid filled, without nut = plain type. Info noted.

I need to do both :( do you stock them mal?

With nut = avail from mits
WithOUT nut = no longer available from mits

I just went to mitsu to get a price on one. With nut (e.g. silicone filled) is not longer available as well.

So.....who has some options? I won't be keeping the car for too much longer so cheaper is better, but the main thing is at the moment I want to know it is safe.

I have used ones here for $65 plus post, car has done 121k

Try mackay rubber, else look in the SCA website in the full parts catalogue.
Gerry

mackay only do urathane as do the SCA ones, which I think are superpro

I replaced both with the Polys and i dont have any complaints

Where from and how much? :)