I need to get new rear trailing arm bushings for my 96 hatch. I can see through the bushings that are on there now. Should I get new Energy Suspension bushings for $21?

http://www.suspension.com/civic.htm

Or should I get the Prothane bushings with all the stuff for $115? Will these be THAT much easier to install since I wont have to take out the metal parts from the old bushings?

http://www.suspension.com/prothane-civic.htm

How hard is it to get the old bushings off? Will I need any special tools for this? Does anyone know of an online how-to? Is there a better, cheaper place to get these from?

Thanks, Jamin

 

Either product you purchase you're going to have to remove the factory bushing which = one big pain in the azz. I'd go with the ES one since it's cheaper and it functions quite nicely. I'm very happy with mine.

 

Will I need any special tools to remove the bushings?

 

All you need is a torch to burn it out and a hacksaw to cut through the retainer ring.

 

Okay, thanks.

 

Anyone else have an opinion on what is better - the ES or the Prothane Bushings?

 

NOOOOOOO!!!! DON'T CUT THE RETAINER RING FOR THE ENERGY SUSPENSION SET!

The ES trailing arm bushing is designed to be pressed into the already existing bushing ring in the trailing arm. That's the reason it's so much cheaper than the Prothane.

The Prothane is a "complete" bushing with retaining ring and "captured" pin. It is, unfortunately, better than the ES one because the ES one has the pin "loose" inside the bearing and can slide back and forth. Although this really doesn't change geometry much, it does change it a little. It's better than stock, but the prothane one is even better than that. For the prothane, you DO remove the retaining ring and press in the Prothane bushing with it's retaining ring.

I still have black marks in my garage from burning out that piece of crap bushing.

Shawn

 

With the ES bushings you don't remove the retaining ring? Do you burn out the old bushing before taking it all apart, or do you press it out, then burn out the old bushings?

Are the Prothane bushings $100 better?

 

I have the Prothane bushings on my HB.

I took it to the shop to get the old one out, new ones in for about 25 bucks.

It's a cool upgrade.

 

For the ES, it's much easier to burn out the old bushing and press in the new bushing insert while leaving the sleeve in the trailing arm the whole time.

As for the $100 better? Well, you see which one I put on my car, ES. Prothanes are better, but I didn't think $100 better either.

Shawn

 

That sounds easy enough. What will I need to burn out the bushing? Better yet, what is the least amount of 'firepower' i can use? I don't have a torch. Should I get one?

 

What is the typical labor cost to replace all bushings with the ES complete kit?

 

You will need a torch to do it with the sleeve in the arm. $9.95, local hardware store.

You COULD press out the whole bushing, dump it into a gas grille for an hour or so, and then press back in the sleeve, and then press back in the ES insert.

My $0.02, get the $9.95 torch.

Shawn

 

More than it's worth.

There's a little talked about community of people who have installed their own ES set. Kind of like ex-prisioners. We all shake our heads, and go, "yeah, that sucked, but the car handles nice now."

There were minimal portions of this job I couldn't do (getting the rusted out lower control arm bushings out), and a pro shop charged me $30 per item to get them out. I figured just that labor alone on the whole car would have been $200-$300. It was worth it to me to buy a 30 ton press and do it myself.

Shawn

 

Thanks for all the info!

Sounds like for the LCA bushings one may as well get the SRR LCAs.

 

the rear bushing are easy as pie. the directions say the pins in them are offset. what they mean are the sides that poke out of bushing are diffrent lengths. (did that make sence?) the directions suck about explaing what they ment by offset. i used a recipicating saw to get one side out when i first did this swap, that was a bitch!!! use the tourch it's much easier.
now the front lca bushings.....man are they fun.....never again

 

Anyone know where to get the ES trailing arm bushings at? suspension.com does not have any in stock and they don't know when they will get more in. Does any place carry them?

Thanks-

 

 

I got mine from http://www.inlinefour.com/ensusreartra.html

 

Great! Thanks

 

Are those bushings included in a master kit? Just wondering.

 

No, the trailing arm bushing DO NOT come with the Hyperflex master kit.

 

Nope, they are not in the master kit. It seems like they should include these bushings in the master kit, and if they are going to leave some out, to leave out the shifter ones .... cuz I already have those

 

the motor mount bushings weren't included either. I'm not sure "Master Kit" is the proper description.