Civic EX '97 - trailing arm bushing question - any experts?

[whypraty]

Hi -
my '97 civic has done 74,000 miles. Quite well maintained, regularly serviced, etc.

During my last oil change, the dealer advised that I replace the trailing arm bushings, which will make me poorer by $500. I drive my car infrequently, and would like to avoid this expense unless it threatens driving safety. I do not feel any noticeable squeaking or anything, as other messges on the topic suggested.

1. Is it likely that replacing bushings is critical given the 74k mileage on a '97 civic ex? I am skeptical because other messages talking about bushings had much more mileage in it.

2. Also, is there an easy way to visually inspect the bushings to verify the dealer's claim?

Thanks in advance,
Praty

 

[jim beam]

Hi -
my '97 civic has done 74,000 miles. Quite well maintained, regularly serviced, etc.

During my last oil change, the dealer advised that I replace the trailing arm bushings, which will make me poorer by $500. I drive my car infrequently, and would like to avoid this expense unless it threatens driving safety. I do not feel any noticeable squeaking or anything, as other messges on the topic suggested.

1. Is it likely that replacing bushings is critical given the 74k mileage on a '97 civic ex? I am skeptical because other messages talking about bushings had much more mileage in it.

2. Also, is there an easy way to visually inspect the bushings to verify the dealer's claim?

Thanks in advance,
Praty

absolutely you can inspect them. jack up the rear so the tire is off the ground. get your head down and look underneath. it's a great big bushing where the trailing arm is bolted to the chassis. if you see significant cracks or tears, it needs replacing. if not, it doesn't! it is suspect about needing bushings at your age and mileage, but since you can see for your self so easily, you won't get ripped off.

regarding replacement, google this group for elle's experience replacing these bushings. she located a tool that allows you to do it with the trailing arms still on the car - a *huge* advantage and cost saving. the tool's not too expensive and the bushings are $60 each. again, google this group for part numbers. take the vehicle in to have alignment checked after you do it - rear suspension alignment on hondas is highly sensitive and critical to satisfactory handling.

caution: carefully inspect the trailing arms for corrosion and cracking. honda factory spec is to replace the whole arm to eliminate risk, hence the high cost. but if the arms are in good condition, replacing just the bushings is fine. i've done it a bunch of times on my hondas and enjoy restoring the handling of the vehicle back to the way it should be.

 

[Elle]

Hi, I personally replaced the two trailing arm bushings on my 1991 Civic this past summer. I bought a special tool for $140 for the job using Ebay, and I bought the two bushings online, OEM, through a certain dealer for about $40 each, IIRC.

I would say the weather and the passage of time play about as much a role in wearing those bushings than strictly mileage. Temperature extremes, ISTM, will cause them to crack and look aged more than mild temperatures year-round. The dealer is not wrong per se, but he may very well be looking for things on which to make money. This is an easy money-maker for which he can't exactly be condemned.

You certainly can personally examine the bushings, looking for cracks. See a drawing of the entire trailing arm at http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry2=1997&catcgry3=4DR+EX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=REAR+LOWER+ARM

Ask if you're not sure what part is the TA bushing.

Will your ride improve by replacing them? Probably not by much. If they were severely worn, you'd likely notice it and want to replace them a.s.a.p. I do not think my old 91 Civic handles way way better as a result of the new bushings, but I think there's improvement. I drive some icy mountain roads to go skiing in winter, and I have this picture (rational or not!) in my mind of the whole rear of the car swinging zig when the car is going zag, and so helping me to get in an accident, so I sleep better with the new TA bushings. Plus, shucks, it was a fun project.

If you really want to replace these bushings, my dealer offered something like $320 to do them. I would shop around. They do have to be oriented correctly upon installation, so you should talk to anyone who replaces them about this. You could also buy the new bushings yourself and ask an independent shop how much to do the job.

Alternatively, they were pretty darn easy to replace "in situ" with the special tool. It's now a pretty popular tool among Honda enthusiasts.

Ask if you want some links to some great photo-essay threads on doing the job yourself.