arziffel

So, my "new" DA has 81K on the motor, but 209K on the body, and the ride feels like it. Pretty sure that most, if not all, of the components are original. I'm considering completely rebuilding the suspension and steering, but don't really have a feel for what to do first, second, etc. It'll need to be done in stages over the course of several weekends (honestly, probably several months), with each stage completed and the car ready for the work commute each Monday morning. So, assuming that most everything's worn out, should I start with struts, tie rod ends, ball joints, bushings, or what? Grateful for any suggestions. Cheers!

EDIT- Just to be clear, I'm not going for performance mods, etc.; just to smooth out the ride for my "new" daily driver. Thanks.

John

GagnarTheUnruly

iTrader: (3)

Shocks, possibly springs, and especially bushings. I would guess that 90% of the problems are due to the bushings unless the shocks are blown (which they may be). You should also at least check the various joints and replace as necessary, or proactively if you're really serious.

92DAB16A

I have the same problem wen u say bushings wat bushings specifically??

fcm

I would start with the bushings, all of them, #4, #5, #9, #10, #11, #14... http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...ystemcomp=List All&vinnoT=&trim=&trans=&view=normal

#7, #10, #13... http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...ystemcomp=List All&vinnoT=&trim=&trans=&view=normal

#14, #16... http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...ystemcomp=List All&vinnoT=&trim=&trans=&view=normal

Lots of bushings in the rear... http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...ystemcomp=List All&vinnoT=&trim=&trans=&view=normal

You can get most if not all of the above bushings in a "kit".

For the shocks I would go aftermarket. 94

Ef Hatch 34

^^ damn! right on! can't get a better answer than that!
Unless you have access to a press, replacing all those bushings at a shop will cost you a fair amount in labor alone.. If you're doing it little by little like you say, Start with the shocks and bump stops front and back , move on to your sway bar bushings front and back , and depending on how much play your steering has, your tie rods and ball joints up front. those Rear RTA bushings and LCA bushings can be pretty annoying to swap out..
I recently did the RTAs and I had to remove the whole rear suspension and take the New bushings to a shop to get pressed in. I tried for hours with a hammer and it seemed like it was doing more damage than good...sway bar bushings are fairly easy to do.

groundup.

And don't forget to replace the motor mounts, at that mileage it will need to be replaced if you want a smooth ride

arziffel

Good advice all around, thanks. If I keep this thing, I'll probably do struts w/bushings, bumps, and sway bar bushings first, and go from there. If it gets that far I may convince myself to buy a shop press, regardless of the fact that I don't really have anywhere to put one.

Again, *IF* I keep it... it started crapping out on me on the way home. Details in a new thread... dammit.

GagnarTheUnruly

iTrader: (3)

I bought a shop press for my bushing overhaul. You can always put it on craigslist when you're done. Make sure you get a 20 ton one though.

On the other hand you're looking at either a major time commitment or a major dollar investment, so if you are thinking about selling the car...