SqwirlyCivic

Okay so I need to fix some broken/worn parts on my suspension in my '94 Civic LX. The bushings in the rear trailings arms are deteriorating, and they only have a couple of months life left in them. The bushings are not replaceable on their own; they're integrated into the rear suspension so the whole trailing arms have to come out (includes the hubs and everything). The shop I took it to is suggesting that I go ahead and get new ones, which will run me about $275 apiece for the parts. This car will probably be my daily driver for the next 6-7 years, so I want it to last. Is this the kind of part where buying something used is a bigger risk than it's worth? What would you guys do in this situation, go with new parts or used? I realize it depends on the donor vehicle I find them on, but say I find another civic with under 100k on the odometer and good looking trailing arms?

Dr.Boost

Wow, I had no idea those things weren't replaceable. I have always wondered how I would get those out to replace them. Hmmmmm......I would build a custom rear end. :P

That really sucks. I would sell you mine, but I have to keep the pile of ---- rolling.
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whiterice

you have to use a torch to get the rubber to seperate from the trailing arm. you can install prothane or energy suspension bushings after. i believe the ES ones reuse the metal sleeve in the center of the stock bushing. i have seen write ups on this on the internet. do some research. do not buy new trailing arms. that is too much money. unless you live in so.cal. and want to buy my dx ones which are in good shape. i went to rear disc brakes.

Reddy

Energy Suspension and Prothane make bushing kits with them in it. You need to press out the whole bushing. You can't just torch the rubber itself becuase there is a metal ring that need to come out (they're a bitch to get out). After you get the stock bushings out the new ones are simple and can be put in by hand. I did all the bushings in my Integra myself and to this day I consider it one of the hardest car related projects I've ever did.

projekteg

he's right, you don't need new trailing arms, your mechanic is trying to rape you. you could get a whole energy suspension kit for under 140 bucks and replace every single bushing in your car, it's a pain in the *** though! one shop was going to install all of them for me for 100 bucks, so that would be 240, still cheaper than one trailing arm, and you're replacing all your bushings.....

88crxSi

just some thoughts here.. you said this is your daily driver for atleast 6 years? Those energy suspension bushings are rigid and will make the ride rougher.

also read here....

http://www.crxsi.com/resources/class...ics/hyperflex/

he didn't like them too much...

call Honda and ask how much new stock rubber bushings are.

projekteg

they will make your ride "stiffer", not necessarily "rougher". i've rode in a coupe of cars with them, and they are a good investment, especially if your car is older and all of your bushings are deteriorating. that guy is a tool, everyone refers to that article whenever energy suspension is brought up. that one article is the only thing i've ever seen with bad words for them, yes, you may get a little sqeak, with them, but thats just because the are polyeurathane. ----, i got a sqeak with my camber kit (i can't hear them over my exhaust though ). i got a kit for my integra, but sold the car before i had a chance to put them in, everyone that i know that has them loves them. just my .02 :P

SqwirlyCivic

Okay well i think I may go with stock Honda bushing replacements if I can. Are you guys SURE these are replaceable bearings? I mean, this shop knows I am not going to get the work done in their shop, and the Honda tech has been working on these cars for like 20 years. Could I just go to the actual Honda dealership and ask them? (I dunno if they'd know without looking under my car)

bambooseven

there was a full how to for those trailing arm bushings in Honda Tuning a couple months back. I'm thinking about doing the same thing, but i figure if I hvae my trailing arms out, might as well replace them with teg ones for rear disks (stupid honda giving 92-95 ex's rear disks and not 96-00 ex's)

SqwirlyCivic

I actually have that issue and I didn't even realize it! But these are for a 1990 Integra 4-door, I dunno if the information is a complete parallel to my 94 Civic LX. We'll see.... remember, I am talking about the big bushing on the rear trailing arm itself, right in front of th hub -- you can actually see it just by looking into the wheel well with the wheels still on.