Hi all, first post on HT. Been reading a lot but never thought of registering until now. I used to buy modded cars and it's a shame cuz it's not exactly how I wanted mine so I finally decided to slowly build my own

So, here's the scenario. From Montreal, Canada. I have a bone stock 2000 Civic LX sedan. 178 000km. We have horrible roads thanks to the weather, use of salt, and corrupted government. Long story short, I feel like some of my bushings may be finished. Before I go all cou-cou with Koni's, 550/450 GC's, Neuspeed anti-roll bar, braces,etc. and add additional stress to the components, I want to do an overhaul of all the bushings.

taking into consideration:

daily driven
HUGE temperature variant (-30C winter to +40C summer)
part life of 2+ years

Question1:
would you suggest to go OEM or get the Energy suspension bushing kit? It seems that it includes everything I need.

Question2:
aside from a good coat of anti-rust, anything else I should check before lowering the car?

thanks all.

edit:
eye candy, maybe?

too much text and not enough pics:

Recaro Profi's:



6UL 15 X 8:

 

-new rear lower control arms with polyurethane bushings
-new rear adjustable upper control arms with polyurethane bushings
-new front adjustable upper control arms with polyurethane bushings
-roll fenders
-hammer body line that sits centered above both front wheels(need to take fender lining out to see, put this back on once done)

I use energy suspension bushings on my shifter, and the little torque mounts that sit on the left side of the engine and right side of transmission.

 

thanks! I'm not so sure about hammering the body but I'll look into it

 

Really? LCAs are unneeded, you can just replace the bushings. Adjustable UCAs are unnecessary. Rolling the fenders is unnecessary, unless you're running an improper wheel/tire fitment.

Get the Energy master bushing kit for your chassis. Install ALL of them. Make sure you don't have any rust or paint bubbling anywhere on your car. Make sure your wheel and tire sizes are correct for your car. Thats all you need to worry about.

 

 

PIC/hardrace hard rubber bushings. IIRC, the PIC is actuatly cheaper, however that might be differenet due to your location.

 

He's probably going to have to roll, at least in the back, or unless he's putting some retardo skinny tires on his wide wheels.

 

On the EK, 15X8 +36 with 205/50/15 tires. I'd rather roll fenders than stretch tires.

The Energy master kit is 190$ CAD. which is basically 190.0001$ USD lol
I think it's worth it as an overhaul.

 

I was going to do my coupe with the ES bushings but after reading about squeaking and how sand/road dirt eat away the poly bushings i decided to go with the pic kit. I couldnt have been happier with them! Id highly suggest going with the hard rubber from hardrace or pic!

 

I've had zero issues with poly over the years (except for one where a friend did a shitty install on his own compliance bushings), in fact the front and rear sway bar bushing on my car now are 10 years old and are in really good condition. I do understand where you guys in harsher climates might have issues though.

The ES grease is great by the way. I suggest buying the large tub if you're going to do a whole car. I recently swapped the rear bar off of my 94 onto my 00 and the grease was still clean inside the bushing. Outside was still there too, I just wiped off the grimy stuff and reapplied a fresh coat. Might even be good for another ten years.

 

After one winter my ES bushings squeak. I think the nasty salty brine on the roads in the winter washed the bushings clean of the formula 5 lube, and I really slathered them inside and out before install. ES says F5 is waterproof but that salt is potent stuff - but I am not positive that was the cause.

 

I've got ES bushings in my car with no complaints at all, however I still reccomend looking at PIC/Hardrace.

for a complete bushing replacement rubber will end up being cheaper. Not to mention they will stand up to the harsh winters better.

 

Agreed. Even though I have no qualms with the ES stuff, I plan on going with the pic/sonem kit when I do bushings on the daily next summer. I just want something in there that I don't have to think about.

 

This helped me out as well thanks to all the guys with their info, i have somewhat harsh winters here in WI so ill prolly go with the PIC too, even though i hope i will have my new daily/winter worker soon. Im also lowering my 95 EG on Koni Yellow and GC

 

I've been running full poly bushings for three of the worst winters we've ever seen in VA, and have zero squeaking problems. It's all about maintenance.

 

What maintenance? Should I be re-lubing every spring?

 

Thanks all for the replies!

I'm curious at what to do for "maintenance" would be required for the Energy Poly bushings. I pretty in the same climate as BryanM. but worst. Canada loves to use salt and brine.

I'll look at the Pic kit.