I'm deciding whether to attempt to install a set of Energy Suspension Bushings into my 92 civic si. I have heard it can be quite a task. Anybody have any tips or advice?? Thx!

 

I didn't have any problems with mine. There is some things that need to be pressed out so if you don't have a little press at home then you need to take you car apart and have somebody haul your *** to the machine shop. Call first because some places don't press out everything. I've also heard of people burning the old bushing with a torch and prying out the metal sleeves but didn't sound like a good idea to me. I do notice that in real cold weather my front end squeaks a little now though.

 

Yes brusk pretty much sums it up. I did mine at a friends house with his assistance and his 12 ton press . You need a very<U> heavy</U> duty press to get those bad boys out. I suggest having a machine shop do it! Otherwise you will be struggling to find adapter pieces to fit the metal ring sleeves on the factory bushings(thats the area you have to apply pressure). my friend picked up those adapter pieces from this dood in NJ who works at a machine shop and made those pieces... with out them it would have been horrid!

pros:
The bushings are an awesome improvement!!!!!!!! Car will be very stable and responsive. Driving on smooth roads is the greatest!!

cons:
Bushings will squeak when its cold. possibly more if not properly greased.
Hitting bumps in the road or irregularities that are rather extreme will suck!!!
ex. those repaved roads that are half-assed done... only half of the lane is repaved...those drive me nutz...

hope this helps

Oh! also i don't recommend the torch technique!! <U>Unless</U> your doing the rear main trailing arm bushing... that was my only option...took about 1.5 hours each with a purty weak torch.


[Modified by SyndicateEG, 5:24 PM 2/8/2002]


[Modified by SyndicateEG, 5:25 PM 2/8/2002]

 

On my Accord, the only major problem was the LCA bushings. Just like every one else has said, those metal sleeves SUCK @$$!!! My neighbor owns a shop and helped me out. Even his press couldn't do diddly!! We ended up frying the crap out of the old bushing and using a torch to cut a small line the sleeve. Then we justed hammered that phucker out!! All 4 bushings took us 2 hrs.

But what an improvement in handling!!! Definitely go for it

 

Thanks guys! I'm going to attempt it myself and see how it goes.

 

we got my friends 4 lower control arm bushings out with a hole saw to get the rubber out and a electric jig saw to get the metal sleeve out, took about a half hour. oh yeah and we put grease fittings on the lower control arm bushings so if they start squeeking we just grease them up.

 

yeah that's what i did, only i used a hack saw blade to cut a slit in the metal ring.