Bushing for front control arm Honda Civic 8 Febest HAB-FKS

Front lower arm link bushing – Honda Civic VIII UFO 2006–2011 – Febest HAB-FKS

Metal–rubber front lower arm link bushing for Honda Civic VIII (so-called UFO, 3D/5D). The bushing is pressed into a separate front lower arm link, which connects the lower control arm to the front subframe (front “sankes”). In everyday driving this is one of the key bushings that works under load during acceleration, braking and over bumps – it has a big influence on steering feel and ride comfort.

The part offered here is a Febest bushing with code HAB-FKS. It is a high-quality replacement for the original bushing, which Honda does not sell separately – in the OEM catalogue you will only find complete arms/links (with the bushing already pressed in) or complete front subframes with the lower arms and links bolted on. Using the Febest HAB-FKS bushing allows you to refurbish the original front lower arm link instead of buying an entire new assembly.

Applications

The Febest HAB-FKS front lower arm link bushing fits the front suspension of:

• Honda Civic VIII 5D (UFO) 2006–2011 – petrol engines 1.4 and 1.8,
• Honda Civic VIII 3D Type R 2.0 (FN2) 2007–2011,
• Honda Civic VIII 5D 2.2 i-CTDi 2006–2011.

On a Honda Civic VIII suspension diagram this is the front lower arm link (often referred to as a “rod” or “compliance arm”), bolted on one side to the lower control arm and on the other side to the front subframe. This bushing is pressed into that link. From the user’s perspective this is usually described simply as replacing the front arm bush on a Civic VIII, even though technically the bushing sits in a separate link between the arm and the subframe.

OEM reference numbers

The part numbers below are given as reference numbers to make it easier to identify the correct bushing when searching by Honda number. The bushing offered here corresponds to the factory bushing used in links and subframes with these numbers:

Front lower arm link – right-hand side (RH) – Honda part numbers:

• 50280-SMG-E02
• 50280-SMG-E01
• 50280-SMG-E00

Front lower arm link – left-hand side (LH) – Honda part numbers:

• 50285-SMG-E02
• 50285-SMG-E01
• 50285-SMG-E00

Honda also supplied complete front subframes with the lower arms and links already bolted to them. If you see one of the subframe part numbers below in the catalogue or on the part, the front lower arm links on that subframe use this style of bushing:

• 50200-SMG-G05 – Civic VIII 1.8 (5D),
• 50200-SMG-G15 – Civic VIII 1.4 (5D),
• 50200-SMJ-G05 – Civic VIII 2.2 i-CTDi,
• 50200-SMG-G81 – Civic VIII 5D 2009–2011 1.8 (facelift),
• 50200-SMT-G01 – Civic VIII 2.0 Type R (FN2).

These OEM numbers are for cross-reference and identification only – this listing is for the front lower arm link bushing itself. Thanks to this, a customer searching by numbers like 50280-SMG-E02, 50285-SMG-E02 or 50200-SMG-G05 can easily land on the correct replacement bushing.

When should you replace the front lower arm link bushing?

A worn front lower arm link bushing on a Honda Civic VIII will noticeably affect how the car drives – the symptoms are very similar to worn control arm bushes:

• knocking, clunks and rattling noises from the front suspension over bumps,
• a “floating” or nervous front end that follows ruts and reacts strongly to side wind,
• pulling to one side under braking or acceleration, feeling as if the front of the car is moving around,
• uneven wear of the front tyres – often on the inner edge,
• play that can be felt when levering the arm or link on a lift.

On many Civic VIII UFOs, especially those used on rough roads or with stiffer or lower suspension, replacing this bushing becomes a typical repair after a few years of use. In workshop slang this is often referred to simply as changing the front arm bush on a Civic VIII, even though by design it is the bushing in the link between the lower arm and the subframe.

Installation and workshop tips

• Before starting work, it is worth checking a Honda Civic VIII suspension diagram to clearly locate the front lower arm link between the lower control arm and the front subframe.
• The bushing is pressed into the link – use a workshop press or suitable bushing tools; hammering it in can damage both the bushing and the aluminium link.
• The link with the bushing is bolted to the lower control arm and to the subframe – when installing, make sure the bushing is oriented in the same way as the original part.
• Always perform the final tightening of the bolts at normal ride height – with the car on its wheels or with the hub/arm supported in the “driving” position. Tightening with the suspension hanging will twist the rubber and cause premature failure.
• On higher-mileage cars it is a good idea to replace the arm link bushings on both sides of the car to restore even behaviour of the front suspension.
• After any work on the mounting points of the lower arm and link, a wheel alignment is strongly recommended – toe and camber directly affect tyre wear and stability.

FAQ – front lower arm link bushing Honda Civic VIII (UFO) Febest HAB-FKS

Q: Does this bushing fit every Civic VIII body style?
A: The Febest HAB-FKS bushing is designed for the 3D/5D hatchback (UFO), including Type R and 2.2 i-CTDi. It does not fit the Civic VIII sedan, which uses a different front suspension design.

Q: I am searching by part number 50280-SMG-E02 or 50200-SMG-G05 – is this the correct bushing?
A: Yes. If your car uses front lower arm links with numbers 50280-SMG-*** / 50285-SMG-*** or one of the subframes 50200-SMG-G05, 50200-SMG-G15, 50200-SMJ-G05, 50200-SMG-G81 or 50200-SMT-G01, this bushing corresponds to the original bushing installed in the front lower arm link. If you are unsure, compare the number stamped on the part or check it in the parts catalogue.

Q: My mechanic says he needs to replace the “front arm bush” on my Civic VIII. Is this the part?
A: Very often yes. In everyday workshop language many mechanics simply say “front arm bush”, even though in the Civic VIII UFO this bushing sits in a separate link between the lower control arm and the subframe. If your car is a Civic VIII hatchback and the diagram points to the large bushing in the front link, this is the correct replacement.

Q: Do I need a wheel alignment after replacing this bushing?
A: Yes. Every time you change components that locate the arm/link (bushing, bolts, subframe position), a proper wheel alignment is strongly recommended. Fresh bushings restore the original position of the wheel, and without alignment tyre wear and straight-line stability can suffer.

Q: The car still knocks after replacing the bushing – what else should I check?
A: On the Civic VIII it is worth checking the lower ball joint, stabiliser links and bushes, front strut top mounts and the rear beam bushes. Several worn components can overlap and only a full inspection will remove all noises from the suspension.