ok. my EG is sick. rotten trailing arm bushings, which is apparently a common ailment for civics. The guys at the shop say it's a bitch and it's gonna cost me like 400 bucks in labor. I don't have 400 bucks.

My question is, can I do this myself?

I've searched the board and the net, figured out that I can get the Energy Sus. bushings for $25 and if I have to, pay a shop like 20 bucks to press the old bushings out.

I just want to know if anyone has done this and has any advice or horror stories to share.

Thanks,

 

As long as you have access to a hydraulic press it's very simple.

If you don't have a press, I wouldn't even think about doing it.

 

yeah I don't have a press, but I can probably find a shop that will press the bushings out for me. I'm trying to avoid 400 bucks in labor...

 

Urrghhh.. I hate shops. Im actually having issues with becoming a mechanic because of how much they charge to do simple stuff..
Do you feel that you are mechanically compotent enough to change out rear brakes and struts? If so, its really not that hard to get it all apart and take the trailing arm to a shop for pressing the bushings out.
THe only part thats going to be a pain is the brakes, you can disconnect the E-brake cable and then disconect the hard line going into the wheel cylinders. make sure you use a line wrench, it sucks to strip that bolt, also make sure you plug the line and the wheel cylider to keep dirt out of the brake fluid. youll have to bleed the brakes upon re-assembly.
then just take the whole trailing arm, brakes and all, to the shop.
Just make sure that when you put everything back together, you clean all of the threads on all of the bolts and use a thread compound on reassembly. It makes it go together easier and will keep you from cross threading or striping anything. Its also a good idea to have a manual and a torque wrench so everything is to spec.

It sounds like a lot of work, and it might take you an afternoon, but youll probably feel better by doing it yourself and it will save you 400 bucks.


[Modified by euclidEH3, 10:28 PM 10/28/2001]

 

They will not only have to press the old one out, but they will need to press the new ones in too. The fit is so tight there is no way you will be able to do it without the press.

 

it's a little beyond what I have done before, but I think I may be able to handle it. I hear "bleed the brakes" and I get a little wary, but I don't think I have any choice. all that stuff will fall into place.

My main concern, usually when taking wrench to car, is that I almost always come across one bolt or another that is frozen solid, and I spend a whole weekend banging on it, spraying different goos on it, and torching it...

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

Good luck .