I'm looking into replacing all of the bushing in my 1992 hatch and have been doing a lot of research on the topic but I haven't yet found anything that makes me think one is better than the other. I first wanted the PIC bushing kit but their website says it is out of stock and I've tried contacting them 3 times with no success so back to square 1. The main 2 seem to be Energy Suspension(Black) and Hardrace. I plan on using the car to be a daily with autocross days every few months or so.

 

Hardrace has longevity as well as quality. The only negative I've hear is the steel casing of the bushing tends to rust over time.

Energy Suspension doesn't have longevity in mind as the material has less give and tends to rip much faster over time.

If you don't mind swapping bushing more often, then ES is great. It's geared more for track type cars. Extreme performance at the cost of durability.

 

Any bushing replacing your 25 year old ones will be better.

 

Hard race, PIC, or OEM. OEM isn't a reasonable option as you have to buy many of the parts to get the bushings. The cost climbs FAST.

ES is okay, I have them. but they are a pain. You have to keep the clean and lubed, and they don't last nearly as long.

go with rubber.

 

for your intentions, OEM or equivalent. my '90 integra gets tracked HARD on 90% oem bushings, no complaints from me or it.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm also considering just going ahead and replacing the struts and some other suspension components. Any suggestions?

 

PIC no longer offers there line of bushings....sad man. So now hardrace is the only option. Its no wonder they went up in price.

 

Do like PIC. Have selects on my Integra. OP- replacing worn suspension parts is always a good idea.

 

Does anybody know why PIC stopped making their kit? It seemed to get good reviews

 

Looks like they will be coming back, on the home page of PIC:

 

Does anybody have any experience with Prothane bushings??? I've heard good things, and that they last a very long time, unlike the Energy Suspension bushings.

 

i want to buy the hardrace master kit, but am worried about how i'm gonna get the new bushings pressed in (and the old ones pressed out). should i just buy the cheap harborfreight press?

 

I've only heard nightmare stories about bushings and the cheap HF press.

You might make your life easier and price around your local machine shops for the pressings.

I've been harboring the idea of using a quality ball joint c-clamp press and the proper adapters to attempt pressing out and int he bushings. But I really don't know if that's a good or bad idea.

 

You won't likely get the bushings OUT with a mechanical press. Its sketchy getting them out with a hydraulic press (if they're exposed to salt).

If you use a HF 20 ton or bigger press and common sense...the pressing part isn't bad.

I don't even bother pressing them out. I push thru the rubber with a small die on the press, and then cut a slit in the sleeve. I press the bushings IN, however. That **** easy.

 

I was thinking the EXACT same thing, never got around to trying it. Its better than burning it and bad fumes everywhere.

 

This is good news.

 

I purchased the HF 12 ton press and it has worked just fine. Michigan car, sees all seasons.

I did a full ES bushing upgrade with new Moog upper and lower arms on the front of my 97 and it was a lifesaver. You will want the Honda specific press kit though.

I am having some binding issues with the ES poly bushings and I'm currently in process of doing all Hardrace hard rubber bushings. I have the rear LCA, UCA, toe links, and TR bushings, all seem like quality products so I will likely follow up with the Front upper and lower control arms and bushings. In my searching they have always been given good reviews so it seemed like the best option.

 

What honda press kit are you talking about, do you have a part # and brand you used?

 

Im interested too, I have the 20 ton HF press and practiced on some old lcas I had laying around and it wasn't too bad after I figured it out

I have seen another thread on here that shows the kit to use but I can't find it again

when I was practicing I just used different sockets

 

I recall a thread in HT where a guy used sockets to replace the his bushings, the bookmarked I saved is no longer valid....I was so sad

 

A 12 ton press has worked flawlessly for me for every bushing I've used it for. The LCAs are sometimes a bit of a PITA but if you can't get the bushing out as a whole just use an undersized socket and press just the rubber out, then cut the metal sleeve out afterwards.

 

The problem I have with pressing out old bushings is the tonnage used to break free the rust. I know someone that got their teeth knocked out via flying press-cup/socket.

As an excessively good looking specimen, I like to keep my astonishing striking facial features in tip top condition. People have said that looking upon my face is like seeing 15 rainbows. I feel like even that is selling me short.

Anyway. I've gotten to the point where control arms are starting to gall or bend...or the whole cup situation looks sketchy. So I stop and just punch thru the rubber and cut the sleeve.

Other times, with some sweet talking to the control arm, like "lemme press out yo bushing, BB gurll", the parts will cooperate.

If I'm working on a car that's not salted up, like my S2000, which has only heard rumors of salt being a real thing....then I can usually press the bushing out, no probs.

Finding the right sized press cups to push out bushings is another issue. Again...punch thru the rubber and cut a slit in the metal.

 

I know what you mean... I sent an LCA flying across the garage during my practice lol

luckily, I or the cars didn't take the hit, I too value my front set

 

Haha, where do you come up with this stuff?

Maybe that's why I've never been able to understand why people fear bushing removal so much. No salt here. They always come out fairly easily and without incident for me. The way people have them setup (properly centered, supported, no funny angles, use of common sense etc.) prior to pressing them is really the most important part to make sure there's no surprises once it's under shitloads of pressure.

 

No salt? Luckeeeeh. I gotta move back to the desert one of these days.

Whether or not the car has seen salt:

The issue with using a cup/socket to press out a bushing with a universal press is that you have to precariously balance a cup/socket on a band of metal that's max 1/8" thick, while putting 10-20 tons of force on it. All while eyeballing the LCA and press cups straight....meaning putting your face next to this tower of insanity.

You also have to hunt for cups/sockets, etc.

Its easier to use 0 precision and smash through the rubber bushing easily. And then cut the sleeve and remove it using something simple. Also much safer.

Also much faster. Lets say I'm doing an LCA with 3 different bushing sizes. Am I finna spend my life hunting for the right and positioning the LCA carefully 3 different times? Nope. My steps:
-find ONE cup thats small enough to destroy all 3 rubber bushings
-destroy
-destroy
-destroy
-cut
-cut
-cut
-laugh at all of creation in contempt


If I was pushing in the same bushings al day, I'd fabricate (emphasis on FAB, if I'm doing it) some holders for the LCA, machine some cups that have pins that go thru the bushing eye so that they can't slip, and be more efficient.

But...I'm doing a set of bushings here and there. Its more beneficial to just get medieval on they ***.