Is there anybody out there who's willing to let me borrow their RTA bushing removal tool. I'll pay for the shipping plus a deposit.

 

Idk where your located but at the 3 big name autoparts stores in my town they all have one you can rent. Good luck.

 

Alternatively, you can use a 5lb sledge or similar. It took me about 30 minutes to do the first one start to finish but after I knew what to do I was done with the other side in about 5 minutes. The trick is to not be scared to hit that thing with full force.

 

Thanks for the info 24TEN, I've got an 89 si and I'm starting to feel the age of the car. Did you remove the entire trailing arm to hit it with the 5lb sledge.

 

I did. My buddy was able to do it with the trailing arm hanging still attached by the lower control arm and toe arm but it's way easier to just unbolt all the arms and let it lie on the ground (took him a couple days and took me an hour ish). With it unbolted and brake lines removed I was able to swing the arm out so it was 90 degrees out from the car. This way I could hit the bushing more cleanly and with full power. Leaving it hanging in the car you have to maneuver your swing carefully and it's more like you are strongly tapping it at that point. With the correct tool though, you can leave it hanging and remove/install with ease.

If you look on youtube there's a couple videos showing how to do it with the sledge.

 

The tools is way easier, no removing the arm and some bushes will just break apart. I have one if anyone needs to borrow it. PM me.

 

I too did hammer time. And also removed the entire TA. I also redid every bushing, cuz why not. Handling is important.

If you just do the TA bush, take pics of the existing bushing in place, so you know exactly how far to sink the new one in. Also be sure to drive it in squarely so the mount points are properly aligned.

 

I just did this with a hammer, without removing the trailing arm. It was not complicated, just remember to knock it out away from the car because of it's shape. (it's flared)