Looking for some input on how to approach this.

This is the 93 del sol I picked up at the Honda dealer for $900 bucks.

I'm just about finished with the front suspension: replaced bushings, wheel bearings, half shafts tie rod ends ball joints, struts (in other words pretty much everything) Just need to put the new brakes on (hoses, rotors calipers).

So now I'm turning to the rear. The service report I was given was pretty accurate, and noted the trailing arm bushings "needed attention". So while I'm in there doing everything they'll get changed.

Reading through some posts there seem to be several approaches to changing them. Ranging from washers and bolts, presses and hammers.

So what is easiest since I'll have them off anyway?
I have a hydraulic press (12 ton) but should I buy the tool or are there other ways to press them in and out?

Also reading the TSB It appears this may be the clunk from the rear of my 99 CR-V as well.

 

you only need the tool if you are doing it on the car.

 

If the trailing arms are off the car they're quite easy to beat out with a large hammer.

 

This!!! I used a 5lb. hammer to hammer out and used my 12 ton press to press them in. The hardest part was making sure the RTA bushing stayed straight while pressing. I used two old rotors on top of the bushing with one of the plates (provided with press) on top to press in. This allowed the press to press on the outside of the bushing and not the center.

Also make sure that the angle of the RTA bushing is the same as the old RTA Bushing when pressing into RTA. You dont want the angle to be different as it will cause binding and premature wear.

 

And I just happen to have something like 8 old rotors sitting around. Was planning to cut them up for use with the press anyway.

 

have used windoweld on these as well.

 

or get Energy suspension ones.

 

Yeah I would advise against that!!! I hate the poly bushings I installed in my front suspension. The are way to noisy for my taste!

OEM or Hardrace

 

Yea, he said easy, so gave him an easy way!

and Hardrace ftw!

 

I did the ones on my 95 recently. I knocked them out with a hammer and for the life of me simply could not get them to press in. They would cockeye and then pop back out. I bought the special press tool and it worked great. I think I sanded a chamber in the new bushings to help them seat. Definitely recommend picking up the tool especially if you're going to do this on multiple cars. If you're in GA I'll lend you mine...

 

Lube them then.


Even then I wouldn't put poly TA bushings in it. Keep it rubber.

OEM, Hardrace, PIC.

 

I don't know how I could lube them more. Last time I did it it had looked like I gave a elephant a reach around!

 

there are 3 different sizes make sure you get it right otherwise you have to mill then down just a tad

 

Why all the hate on poly bushings? ^^;
My Energy Suspension ones are working out great (though they've only been on for about a month)
Loving the lack of CLUNK in the rear end whenever I go over bumps, either way!

 

because poly bushings limit articulation of the trailing arm. poly bushings work if the suspension only moved in 1 axis. but a trailing arm moves in more than one direction.

 

Stick with OEM bushings unless you autocross

 

Don't get me wrong. I lover the feel and firmness of the poly bushings just not the noise that comes with them.

 

Like the poly bushings, just not in the trailing arms.

 

I have to replace the RTA bushings also on my 1999 Honda Civic EX. What is the correct Honda part number for these? The online catalog does not show it.

 

Here is the Honda TSB on rta bushings. Includes the part number.

 

After reading several posts regarding the rear trailing arm bushings, I am still confused. I called Honda Parts Unlimited for the correct part number for a 99 Civic and they don't know but they think a -003 will work. Being an engineer, I don't know why Honda would have two different part numbers if the parts are identical. So here's the question....Has anyone ever successfully installed a 52385-SR3-003 in a Civic or DelSol?
P.S.
-000 costs $46.54
-003 costs $25.08

 

'88 - '00 Civics, '93 - '97 Del Sols, and '94 - '01 Integras all use the same trailing arm bushings. I'm pretty sure '97 - '01 CR-V is the same as well. The only one I'm aware of that's definitely different is the '90 - '93 Integra.