Hello, H-T!

I have a stock automatic '98 Civic DX Hatchback that I attempted to do the front lower control arms on today.

Got everything apart and took off the old one but I can't seem to fit the end of the new one into the subframe.
It appears it has to be pushed in with some considerable force but I don't know how to do it.

Is there a tool? Do I bash it with a mallet/hammer until I get it aligned perfectly? It will go in to a point then stop.

It is an aftermarket control arm with poly bushings already pressed in.

Thank you!

TL;DR - can't get new front LCA to push into subframe... what do?

 

For reference, it is this part of the LCA:



Oh and it happens to be the exact same LCA I bought as well.

 

Get a BFH?

 

What's that?

 

big ******* hammer

 

I'll get right on it and report back!

 

Yea man that should be cake def try a hammer. Or you can use body weight to pivot it. But I would recommend you replace the whole control arm and compliance bushing. And don't use those eBay arms, the bushings are known to be ****. If you just want some red arms powder coat the OEM ones.

 

Big Friendly Hammer

 

Whelp, I came back to say exactly this. The bushing appears to not even be the right size to allow my bolt to fit through as demonstrated in these images.





So what can I do now? Should I have the bushing insert machined to fit the bolt? I really don't want to fight with the seller and wait for shipping twice to get new ones.

I guess this is what I get for cheaping out on ebay.

 

Chinese made ****...

 

I agree. But my question now is, would it be safe to have the inside diameter of the bushing insert shaved to fit my bolt? It doesn't look like much.

 

It is, and you should remember this for the future. You'll be tempted again.

Safe? I guess so depending on how it's done.

But you're just going to have to pull them back off and replace the **** bushings they have in 2 or 3 months. What you SHOULD do, is return them, and buy the Ktuned or Hardrace ones. It'll sting at first, but you'll be better off in the long run.

 

or return them and buy hardrace bushings for the oe arms.

 

Return the arms and buy replacement bushings for the OE control arms.

 

Buy & install. Done.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....168882&jsn=420

 

If it took you this long to even try to fit the control arm in place than NO I don't think you should waste your time on that.

 

So as it turns out, I didn't look closely enough and these aren't for my EK chassis. My noobie mistake.

Hey, everyone has to learn somewhere. It looked easy, I had the time to do it and even a second car to get around in. I learned from my mistake

 

wtf. did you buy these used off of craigslist or something?