Hello folks,

I'm just starting a project with my 16 year old son. He inherited an 88 CRX with only 125,000 KM from my dad (that's around 80,000 miles)..... its an automatic car, and nothing too exciting, but in nice shape. We imported it here to Washington State, and we're ready to go!

In disassembling the rear suspension, I noticed that the rear control arm bushings (the ones that are approx 2" in diameter and that allow the control arm to bolt up to the underside of the car) are kaput. Is there a way to change them without disconnecting the brake lines and emergency brake cables? I'd rather not disconnect it all, so I'd like to find a way to do it. If the control arms must be completely removed from the car..... I'll do it!

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

cason234
Lynden, WA

 

There should be enough slack in the brake lines and cables to let you just lower it down enough to remove it with all that stuff connected, but if its stuck in there good you might have a hard time trying to get it out while its still in the car.

 

Honestly good luck trying to get it out while it's still on the car.

Also thank you for using correct punctuation and grammar.

 

Thanks Aliman - I'll give this a try first. This is a fun project in that we have all kinds of time to work on this car, and its in the garage but not in the way..... we can work on it at our leisure, and not have to worry about needing it to be driveable that night. I'll try it on the car first, but if I have to remove them.... no big deal.

Thanks Nooch! I'm going to try it on the car first, but if it doesn't work.... no problem to remove the control arms and do the job out of the car. Regarding punctuation and grammar..... its becoming a lost art, isn't it?!

 

Ain't it?

Seriously though - you have to be aware that there is a LOT of misinformation on here. Unless you have a portable press, not disconnecting the entire trailing arm is futile. The bushings have to be pressed out and pressed in. Given, you can burn the bushings out and play around in this fashion - but it's not worth your time in my opinion. This is all of course if you don't want to purchase the tool. It is cheaper to take it to a shop than to spend $150+ on the tool... BUT, with the tool you don't have to disconnect EVERYTHING...

http://shoptoolsshoptools.com/shopexd.asp?id=2784

 

you can find the tool used too.
if you want to give me a deposit, i can rent you mine.