"Dave Wick" <davewick@new.rr.com> wrote in
news:1o7bh.295$xC4.208@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com:
> I have an extremely nice 1990 Civic DX 4-door 5-speed 1.5L with about
> 135K miles. The rear trailing arm bushings (the big ones) are
> squeaking/creaking and I'm contemplating a little suspension work. So
> ...
>
> Should I go through the entire front and rear suspensions and replace
> ALL the rubber items plus upper and lower ball joints? The job really
> doesn't worry assuming I can get my hands on the proper tools.
>
> What about those upper ball joints? Do they ever really go bad or not?
> Would I be better off purchasing the upper a-arm assembly (that price
> looks good when one considers the bushings and potential ball joint)?
>
> Should I only replace the "main" bushings? What qualifies as "main"?
> Only the big ones in the rear and only the two per side on the long
> lower arm? More? What ones?
>
> Are there any special tips/tricks I should know? I want to restore
> the factory ride, handling and noise level (I'm not going to poly
> bushings!) and would plan on purchasing genuine Honda parts. Is there
> anything I should consider doing different ... different bushings in
> certain areas ... whatever, but again, noise and ride quality are the
> top priorities ... this won't be a race car for a long time ... if
> ever :-)
>
> Now ... about those tools ...
>
> I've seen a really neat tool for the rear trailing arm bushings from
> Schley. What else is needed?
>
> Can these be rented/borrowed from anywhere? Does the typical Auto
> Zone have the required tools? Other sources? Or do I just have to
> really consider buying a few tools.
>
I had trouble deciding what to snip off this post, and ended up leaving it
as-is.
First off, dont expect a world of difference in handling. If you want to
restore the factory ride, you need to replace the shocks as well, and you
will find they are extremely expensive unless you buy aftermarket. I left
mine in place, as they weren't leaking. I figured $200 a pop wasn't worth
it.
I've done every single bushing on my '91 Integra over the last two summers.
Every bushing was replaced with OEM. If you decide to do this, be prepared
for some serious expenditure. I spent about $1500 all told, including
paying garages to do the actual pressing.
A proper balljoint tool is essential. An electric impact wrench is
essential. Without those two, your life will be a living hell for days. You
can rent both items. If not from AZ, then from an industrial supply house.
Just remember to put the balljoint's castle nut back on upside down BEFORE
you start pressing on it!
Don't kid yourself that you'll be able to press the old bushings out
yourself. Not with any sort of ease, anyway. Elle struggled for a long time
with hers. I didn't bother. Having a garage press out/in the bushings on
the rear cost me $250. The fronts were far simpler, costing me $30. I don't
regret spending the money. It saved me tons of time. Apparently the Schley
tool does work well for the big trailing arm bushing, though.
If your car has rear drum brakes, you'll want to avoid having to open up
the hydraulics. When Elle did her trailing arm bushings a while back, she
used the Schley tool you mention, with good success. If your car has discs
on the rear, you can remove the trailing arm without disconnecting the
hydraulics.
You will very likely suffer some seriously seized fasteners at the rear. If
so, you will get absolutely nowhere unless you have a DeWalt DW-293
electric impact wrench. And if that doesn't work, it's an angle grinder or
nothing. All the front fasteners must be replaced, not reused. The rears
can be reused.
The balljoints are trivially easy with the right tool, but only for
disconnecting them from the lower control arm. The lowers will have to be
pressed out by a garage - with the knuckle OFF the car, which is a lot of
work. The upper balljoint is only available OEM as part of the upper A-arm.
And it's expensive.
Some Google Groups links here:
http://tinyurl.com/yglqw8
http://tinyurl.com/ylojhm
http://tinyurl.com/ymmjjl
and from my site
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_front_bushings/
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/old-bushings/
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/disconnect.html
and more Google Groups
http://tinyurl.com/yzhcyn
Good luck.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/