Why Your RZR 900 XP A-Arm Bushings Wear Out
By Aftermarket Car Parts -Private Label Mfg | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Tips & Care
Clunking front end on your RZR 900 XP? Learn how to diagnose worn A-arm bushings, when to replace them, and which direct-fit kit restores tight steering.
Quick Answer
If your RZR 900 XP clunks over bumps or the front end feels vague, worn upper A-arm bushings are a likely cause. Inspect for play and cracked plastic, then replace the uppers with a direct-fit kit before the looseness damages the arm or bolts.
Why the uppers go first on a 900 XP
The upper A-arm bushings on 2011–2014 RZR 900 XP and XP 4 900 models take a constant beating from steering input and suspension travel. The factory-style plastic bushings are a wear item: they cushion metal-to-metal contact, and once the plastic deforms or cracks, play develops quickly. Lower bushings usually last longer because they sit farther from the steering loads, but they still wear over time.
A clunk is often the first sign, especially when you rock the steering wheel while parked or hit small stutter bumps. That noise is the control arm moving inside a worn bushing, not necessarily a bad shock or ball joint.
The trade-off: stock feel vs. durability
Replacing with a direct-fit plastic bushing kit restores the original tightness and ride isolation without changing geometry. It is the simplest path if you liked the stock manners and just want the clunk gone. The trade-off is that plastic bushings are still a wear item, so expect to inspect them again after heavy mud or sand use.
If your machine sees mostly rocks or high-speed desert whoops, some owners step up to polyurethane or bearing-style bushings for longer life, but those can transmit more vibration and may require different hardware. This guide focuses on the direct-replacement path because it is the least invasive fix for a daily-driven trail rig.
When the problem is not the bushing
A clunk can also come from a worn ball joint, loose shock mount, or a cracked A-arm. Before ordering bushings, grab the control arm and try to rock it by hand. If the arm moves but the bushing looks intact, look elsewhere. If the bushing is visibly cracked, missing chunks, or the arm has side-to-side play at the pivot, bushings are the right call.
Also check the mounting bolts and the arm itself for elongation or cracks. A new bushing will not fix a wallowed-out hole or a bent arm.
Diagnose Your RZR 900 XP Front End
- Symptom: clunk or rattle over small bumps: With the machine parked, rock the steering wheel sharply left and right while watching the upper A-arm pivots. A visible jump or a dull clunk at the pivot points to bushing play. If the arm moves but the bushing looks solid, check ball joints and shock mounts before ordering parts.
- Likely cause: cracked or deformed plastic bushings: Shine a light into the upper arm pockets. Look for cracked, missing, or shiny worn plastic and any side-to-side movement of the arm at the bolt. Play here means the bushing has lost its preload. A bushing that is cracked but still tight may last a little longer; one with visible play needs replacement now.
- Corrective action: replace both upper bushings as a pair: Order a direct-fit upper kit for your exact year and model, then replace both sides at once. Clean the arm pockets, install the new bushings, and torque the pivot bolts to the factory spec for your machine. Replace uppers in pairs; mixing a new bushing with a worn one can cause uneven steering feel.
- Stop and choose another option if: The A-arm itself is cracked or the bolt holes are elongated, or you mainly ride extreme terrain and want a non-plastic bushing. In those cases, replace the arm or step up to a different bushing material instead of a stock-style kit. If the clunk persists after new bushings, recheck ball joints and steering rack mounts.
Product Facts
- Precision Works Front Control A Arm Bushing Kit for Polaris RZR 900 XP / 4 / Jagged Upper: Precision Works front control arm bushing kit includes four long upper bushings and fits 2011–2013 RZR XP 900, 2012–2013 XP 4 900, and 2014 RZR 900 / 900 4 models. This is a direct replacement for the front upper positions on those specific years, so you can refresh both sides in one job without guessing fitment.
Precision Works Front Control A Arm Bushing Kit for Polaris RZR 900 XP / 4 / Jagged Upper
