EG/DC2 Front Lower Control Arm (LCA) bush change

[wynode]

Been awhile so here's something to keep you all occupied

Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!

Sorry for some of the phone camera pics...

Aim: Inspect and replace worn front Lower Control Arm bushes
Required: x2 LCA bushes
19 mm socket
17 mm socket
Breaker bar or long handle ratchet
Access to a hydraulic press (or take it to a shop that has a press)

Steps:
Now I did this the 'longer' method where by I took the entire LCA assembly off (I wanted to double check the other bushes near the sub-frame also....which turned out to be fine). However you could just remove the lower shock bolt + fork bolt and then just undo the two bolts below on the LCA in order to remove it.



1. Jack up the car and support it with Jack stands. After that pop the lowe ball joint so you can seperate the LCA from the wheel hub. See step 4 in this post for more info on how to do this.

2. Remove the 14mm bolt at the base of the shock/top of the shock fork.

3. Remove the 17mm bolt at the bottom of the shock fork and disconnect the sway bar end link from the LCA. Repeat for other side.


4. Undo the two bolts holding the swaybar mount to the sub-frame and repeat for other side.


5. Undo the 3 19mm bolts holding the LCA assembly to the sub-frame (these were hella tight!)


6. Remove the bolt (17mm I think) going through the LCA bush that we wish to replace.


7. Here you can (kinda ) see tha the rubber is all worn and causes free play.


8. So get out your new OEM bush (or aftermarket!) and after pressing out the old one......press the new one in.

New bush ready to go in.


New bush IN.....oh yeah feel the stiffness!


8. Installation is the reverse just make sure you put the ball joint back in, do up the castle nut AND DON"T FORGET TO PUT THE COTTER PIN BACK IN!!!!


Other comments

Just be careful when you're working and don't be lazy/rush things. I was too lasy to move my hand when trying to get one of the nuts loose with my breaker bar and this was the result of my finger getting caught between the breaker bar and the ground.

[Paul1985]

Great write up win. Did u just use OEM bushings and if so, what sort of price do u pay for these?

[wynode]

Yup OEM honda bushing which were $40 each.

[egSi]

thats **** win.

i should do mine lol.

writeup

[joyride]

nice write up win. i recently changed LCA bushings on my gf's car and i got my finger caught in sh*t a few times too.

in some instances, you can use a vice instead of a press, but you gotta know what youre doing.

[wynode]

You could also heat up the LCA around the bush and that will help in pushing it out.

When it comes to putting the new one in......you could pop it into the freezer for about 20 mins and then should slide in a bit easier.

But if you have access to a nice 10T press (most shops do) it will only take a few mins!

[ECU-MAN]

good stuff wyn,


I dont suggets heating up suspention or stearing parts,

it will weaken the metal.

[joyride]

You could also heat up the LCA around the bush and that will help in pushing it out.

When it comes to putting the new one in......you could pop it into the freezer for about 20 mins and then should slide in a bit easier.

But if you have access to a nice 10T press (most shops do) it will only take a few mins!

wow, i never even thought of that...

just as an FYI, i went to a shop to get the bushings pressed in/out and they quoted me 70 bucks each or both. i forget but you can see where you can save money right there.
normal suspension shops (like bob jane or good year) may have the press machines but specialist suspension/brakes shop will have the machines.

[wynode]

I was at my local mechanic the other day for something else (small shop) and even they had a 20 tonne press there (he said he picked it up for $180 )

Just go when they aren't too busy and i doubt they'd charge much. Afterall you just press out old one, and press in new one. So even if they charge you for it......shouldn't be much at all

[crxzzR]

if u decide to press it in urself... make sure u spray rubber friendly lube on the aluminium housing of the new bush.. this will let it slide in easy.. don't worry it won't just slip right out....

[ek4-guy]

if your eventually planning to change all the bushes in car an having them all pressed in can be very pricey.You may want to buy or make your own bush removal tool. Its pretty easy all u need is
1 short length of pipe slighty longer an bigger in diameter than the bush your removing
1 heavy duty washer or plate that will cover the piece of pipe on one end with hole in centre
1heavy duty washer around the same diameter as the bush
1 long bolt an nut
first put the washer over the bush then put the bolt through then place the pipe over the other side of the bush with the bolt running up the centre then place the other plate into the the thread an up to the piece of pipe then put the nut on an as you tighten the bolt it will pull the washer on the other side witch will pull the bush into the piece of pipe. to put new ones in just reverse this process

[wynode]

Or you can buy a 20 tonne press for a bit over $100