I searched and found lots of issues removing the lower control arms, but installing them never seems to cause anyone grief. Except, apparently, me.

I'm doing a large overhaul of my Civic, including the LCA bushings. I replaced the torn stock bits with Prothane polyurethane bushings. Removed and replaced the LCA bushings myself using hand tools (fun...) and all I have to do is bolt them in. How hard can it be, right?

Well, the front bushings I can get in place (but I've pulled the LCAs back out to start with the rears), the rear bushings are extremely tight and no matter how I shove, pry, twist, etc they don't want to go in. The passenger side is farther in and I may be able to get it with some more manhandling, but the driver's side is a long ways off.

Any tips or tricks?

 

I've struggled a bit with mine but not quite to the extent you describe. Got any pics? BTW, have you tried loading the suspension with another jack?

 

The rest of suspension is removed/out of the way so loading it wouldn't do much.

I'll get some pics tonight when I work on it again.

 

Sorry, I should have been clearer. Meaning - have you tried to get it started, put on the ball joint, and THEN load the suspension. I'm not saying it's the right way to go and - to be honest - I didn't have to do this - I think I just beat mine like heck with a mallet and it popped right in. But here's how one guy did it. Just skip toward the end for the reinstall and it looks like he fought it quite a bit.


Personally, I like to STOP, take a deep breath, make sure I'm not dorking it up or haven't missed anything...then hit it like a pinata.

 

Well, first two pictures show where I stopped after the first day. Passenger side was close, driver's side was a long ways off.

Coming back at it on a new day with a whole lot of grease and vigorous application of the mini-sledge (with a block of wood) and success.

On a related note, I know there is supposed to be a plastic cover near the compliance bushing (I'm missing those), is there supposed to be one around the tie rod/steering rack too?

 

Good man! Nothing like a little sledge action to fix your car and take your frustrations away!

The only plastic cover I know of on the tie-rod/steering rack is the one in your last picture that sits around the passenger side of the steering rack. Everything else looked normal to me.