Trailing arm bushing replacement
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 87
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From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Trailing arm bushing replacement
Just thought I'd report on the results of my trailing arm bushing replacement:
First, the car is a 99 civic si, use for daily driving and autocrossing – was STX, now CSM. Comptec rear bar and Advance Design double adjustable Coilovers and a Mugen Strut Tower bar. The stock TA bushings were completely split and cracked.
Handling Before: Super snappy over steering monster with torn stock TA bushings. I actually got nick named “Wild Bill” by my local autocross club because of all the spins. Nothing tamed the beast – tire pressures, shock settings, and sway bar had NO effect, except to make things worse sometimes. Had a couple of national champs drive it and hate it. I got really good at counter steering. Slaloms were a nightmare.
The Mod: Mugen hard rubber trailing arm bushings. $100.00 from King Motorsports
The install: Very simple – remove trailing arms, take to machine shop, have new bushings pressed in - $50.00, reinstall, get aligned to 0 toe all around with –3 front camber and –2 rear (approximately the same alignment settings as before).
The Result: Back end now firmly planted – car responds in a linear manner to throttle and trail braking inputs. Also responds predictably to changes in shock and sway bar settings – It is like a new car – no surprises while cornering.
Analysis: Broken, soft stock TA Bushings make civics dangerous. I believe that over compliance from the stockers allowed dynamic rear toe changes when making fast transitions, creating rear wheel steer. This made the back end very unpredictable and unstable, and the effect of the worn bushings overrode all of my other suspension settings.
Bottom line: For $150.00 and an afternoon of wrenching, you can’t go wrong with this mod…
First, the car is a 99 civic si, use for daily driving and autocrossing – was STX, now CSM. Comptec rear bar and Advance Design double adjustable Coilovers and a Mugen Strut Tower bar. The stock TA bushings were completely split and cracked.
Handling Before: Super snappy over steering monster with torn stock TA bushings. I actually got nick named “Wild Bill” by my local autocross club because of all the spins. Nothing tamed the beast – tire pressures, shock settings, and sway bar had NO effect, except to make things worse sometimes. Had a couple of national champs drive it and hate it. I got really good at counter steering. Slaloms were a nightmare.
The Mod: Mugen hard rubber trailing arm bushings. $100.00 from King Motorsports
The install: Very simple – remove trailing arms, take to machine shop, have new bushings pressed in - $50.00, reinstall, get aligned to 0 toe all around with –3 front camber and –2 rear (approximately the same alignment settings as before).
The Result: Back end now firmly planted – car responds in a linear manner to throttle and trail braking inputs. Also responds predictably to changes in shock and sway bar settings – It is like a new car – no surprises while cornering.
Analysis: Broken, soft stock TA Bushings make civics dangerous. I believe that over compliance from the stockers allowed dynamic rear toe changes when making fast transitions, creating rear wheel steer. This made the back end very unpredictable and unstable, and the effect of the worn bushings overrode all of my other suspension settings.
Bottom line: For $150.00 and an afternoon of wrenching, you can’t go wrong with this mod…
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18,961
Likes: 75
From: I am Tyson
Re: Trailing arm bushing replacement (econorocket)
theres several reports from ppl who have handled both the mugen trailing arm bushing and the NEW oem bushing available at dealers now are the same exact bushing. but you can get the oem bushing cheaper, $42 at san leandro.
however, its my belief the ORIGINAL factory bushing is not the same as the new oem ones being sold as individual replacements.
however, its my belief the ORIGINAL factory bushing is not the same as the new oem ones being sold as individual replacements.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Re: Trailing arm bushing replacement (Tyson)
Yea, I've heard about the OEM bushing, but has anyone actually tested them against the Mugen with a durometer? For $50.00, I figured why take a chance.
Anyway, it made a huge difference in handling - very much worth the cost and effort.
Anyway, it made a huge difference in handling - very much worth the cost and effort.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18,961
Likes: 75
From: I am Tyson
Re: Trailing arm bushing replacement (econorocket)
yeah, i dont doubt that. glad it worked out for you.
for future reference to others, heres a good write up on it. also note how the author "clocked" the bushing for his known change in ride height.
http://www.performanceforum.co....html
for future reference to others, heres a good write up on it. also note how the author "clocked" the bushing for his known change in ride height.
http://www.performanceforum.co....html
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 1
From: Norcal
52385-S21-003 is the latest updated Honda part number for 88-00 civics (and DC2 integras which are same size as the EG but i dont think acura has a # for it) for the RTA bushing, from 2002 bulletin 00-006e. I just ordered 2 of them from magauto.com, they're about $25/ea.
52385-SR3-000 is the older version, costs about $45. In the older versions of the bulletin, they'd list this # as the part, but now the updated number is the once listed above.
The newer # is also cheaper. I do not know if there are any construction differences.
52385-SR3-000 is the older version, costs about $45. In the older versions of the bulletin, they'd list this # as the part, but now the updated number is the once listed above.
The newer # is also cheaper. I do not know if there are any construction differences.
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