I'm redoing my 91 B18 civic hb's suspension, steering etc. and I've been considering this bushing kit since I came across it. Has anyone installed this entire kit and have feedback? I've heard that it's an unbelievable improvement, and one guy told me they are too stiff and end up wearing out faster because of a lack of tolerance. Both I can believe, but what I'm wondering, is if my car is lowered (Tokicos 3" front, about stock in back), is this going to lean more towards wearing them out quickly or enjoying the improvement. Are there any particular bushings that take special tools or know how to replace?

This is the exact kit I'm looking at
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Energ...Q5fAccessories

Lastly, I haven't seen any alternatives to this sort of package, but are there? I'll be buying something this week and really appreciate the input.

 

I ran the whole kit for a few years with no problems at all.
I don't believe the tolerance comment at all unless he ran the wrong kit for components he had.

For me, the best parts from the kit were the shifter bushings and steering rack bushings.
Very noticeable replacements for the aged rubber junk I had.

Downside is the occasional regreasing to keep the poly from squeaking.
Be very generous when installing!
About a year after I had driven on the kit, I would squirt some lithium grease to lube every once in a while if I was working on the car and I felt like it, but personally didn't have any squeak issues to mention.
Others do and that's the most common complaint.
Others will tell you it is too stiff - and it really can be! If your suspension is already stiff, then it's going to get amplified with the ES kit. It may be too much for street... but for me I loved it.
The engine mount inserts were great for me, but again I could see it being annoying for others as the vibration translates to the chassis.
Smooth running engine not so much of an issue.
The window weld fill trick seems like a viable solution to go solid rubber.

 

I'm with you that I wouldn't complain about a very solid feeling car, or squeaking for that matter , my only hesitation was putting them all in and only lasting a year or two for all the work.

Also.... what is the window weld trick?

 

Window weld info
http://importnut.net/motormount.htm

Never heard of an ES bushing breaking or falling apart.
They are polyurethane which is stiffer than rubber and also more durable.
Maybe if it is constantly abused and beat to death... but then a rubber bushing would last even less.

 

That's the impression I got, as far as the window weld mounts, I just got billet Avid mounts a few weeks ago and they are pretty solid ha ha! But thanks for the info.

I'll probably order them tomorrow, any of them give you problems installing? I'm probably going to need a press huh?

 

I did it on my old CRX. The suspension was already stiff, and it ended up making the car hop around corners. I'm still not sure I would put it on my hatch I race now.

You will need a press to remove the old bushings from the lower control arms. The ball joint pieces are garbage.

Alternate-
http://www.hardrace.com/products.asp...2&strClass3=19

 

Ball joint things are lame... just covers that go over the rubber on the ball joint.
Come to think of it, I didn't install those because I didn't see any benefit to be gained.
I burned out metal sleeves and used a hacksaw blade to cut through the rubber and then pushed out of the arms. Not really as hard as it sounds.

Have you looked into other solutions other than ES?
I know this thread is ES, but there are different manufacturers that offer similar products, but rather than polyurethane they use hard durometer rubber or poly blends.
I did ES before because that's what was out (talking a long time ago). Not sure I would use them again even though I didn't have problems.

 

I was actually also wondering if there were alternatives. Like you, I was planning on going with this kit because it's what I found available and I can even get it through the Autozone here if I wanted, and they give me crazy discounts on stuff.

I'm not exactly looking to SAVE money doing this, but I don't want to pay for unneccesary pieces or fancy name brands if I can get a decent price.

What other brands or packages are out there? I didn't mean to make this seem set on E.S. stuff, I'm open to anything top notch.

 

Prothane and ES are pretty much the same IMO but it's another option. The other ones people like are Hardrace/Mugen/OEM. However, these are not poly, they're Hard Rubber. Out of the three I'd probably go with HardRace but I've run energy for 8 years now and just bought another set for my 2nd crx. I also drilled and installed zerk fittings into mine so I could regrease easily.

Your final option would be spherical but that would be $$$$$.

 

sorry maybe my edit came to late...I would go with hardrace as well.

 

Awesome, thanks for the alternatives, I'm ordering something, my rear trailing arm bushings do not exist anymore, it's a big open hole right now. What are spherical? I'm not familiar with the term.

I can't find a Mugen set, and the Hardrace website doesn't give any prices? Maybe I'm just being dense and can't figure out where people are getting these parts from ha ha!

 

I ordered the ES kit, I'm not a track dude anyways, and I everything else was too much work trying to find for spending money. Thanks for the input though! At least I know the ES stuff isn't a ripoff of some ebay brand.

 

i used es bushings for my rear trailing arms it was pretty easy to do since there not mounted yet but i whacked out the bushing with a mini sludge hammer and heated up the metal around the bushing and the rubber fell right out then to put the es bushing in the sleeve i used a press

 

Yeah, I figured I'll need to buy or find a press to use for a few of them. Any inexpensive ones out there?

 

I was actually looking into buying these. How long have you been running them?

 

I had a diagram somewhere that someone put together on which bushings you should use from the ES kit, and which bushings you should just replace with OEM. It was to keep the ride tolerable for daily driving, and not too stiff. I have the full ES kit, but probably wont use all of them.

 

OP... any updates?

how much did the ES master kit cost you?

Did you end up using every piece in that kit or where there parts you just didn't feel you need to install?

 

Hi, I am looking into replacing all bushing in my civic 91 hb also. When you say OEM bushing, do you buy them individually? Or can I also get the OEM bushing as a kit?

 

I am definitely interested in seeing this diagram as I too will be replacing some of my bushings. Not sure which I should replace yet but plan to do so in the near future.

I personally do not want to have to lube/pull the bushings, preferably until they're ****ed again. So after stating that I am looking for other options other than poly I believe. Not too sure as I am not knowledgeable on this subject.

 

Anyone?

 

Check out the PIC/Hardrace kit's. The ES kit, isn't even close to a "master kit".

 

I'll check it out. Realistically I wouldn't use the whole kit because I don't want to go through the hassle of replacing everything. Rather just replace once it's broken >.>

I'm looking for basically the bushings for all 4 wheels.

The hardrace site blows, are you supposed to find a compatible vendor to buy from or can you actually buy from their site? You can check-mark + wishlist anything but that's it.

 

Buyhardrace.com
Velocityshop.com

 

Thanks

 

I would prefer Hardrace over ES. But I prefer ES over worn out/shot oem bushings.