Hydraulic press?

alexthecheese

alexthecheese

alexthecheese

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Looking to change the suspension bushes on our Honda Civic 2001 1.6, and I've seen a couple of youtube videos that suggest it's really not that difficult to do, if you've got a socket set and a press.

The press is needed to get the bushes in and out, and seeing as I fancy doing this myself, is it possible to do it without a press, or can you buy these on the cheap/use something makeshift?

This is in part because the steering feels funny. It's at a wonk, going straight the wheel is pointing left, and it feels reluctant to turn. It's not fluid, doesn't self-correct easily and generally not a relaxing feeling to drive.

Could this be suspension bushes, or something like a power steering pump?
 
Might just be your tracking?

Ive recently done my front lower arm bushes but that was because of a pull to the right under acceleration ( most noticable at motorway speeds, it would pull right on throttle then pull back left when lifting). Bushes sorted that out and it now accelerates perfectly straight.

Mind you tracking was out after the bushes were done (like you, the steering wheel was nearer the 11 o'clock position when going straight) so had a 4 wheel alignment done and then everything was perfect.
 
OK, just snapped a photo of the bushes - they look knackered. Couldn't get a photo of what I think is the anti-roll bar bush, but I don't suppose you can see how much that one is knackered 'til they're off, but the control arm bush looks ripped and totally knackered:

Control arm (I think?):

hondacivicbushes1.jpg



Anti-roll bar (?):

hondacivicbushes2.jpg


I am guessing I should get the bushes sorted before I get the tracking done?
 
Ah, right. The front-right is properly, properly knackered. The bush has caved in entirely and isn't doing anything at all!

Should it have passed the MOT like this? Might explain the slightly crashy ride over bumps. :p



EDIT:

Is there just two bushes on each side to replace?
 
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That would (should) have been an MOT failure if it was like that at the time of the test.

There are two bushes on each wishbone, and there is a balljoint in the upright that you might want to check as well.

These bushes are pretty tight, I changed the ones on my EP3 Civic recently. You don't need a press, but you will need a hefty vice solidly bolted to a workbench and a selection of spacers etc to press them in and out. Buy geneuine Honda bushes, they aren't cheap but they will last. Make sure you take a note of the orientation of the void bush at the back of each wishbone, the new one must be fitted in the same location as the old one.

To remove the void bush, it's easiest to remove the central rubber part by chain drilling the rubber (i.e. a row of holes right next to each other) and then cutting through with e.g. a hacksaw. That leaves the metal ring pressed into the wishbone. Use a hacksaw blade to very carefully cut into the ring without cutting into the wishbone!. When you have almost gone through, use a cold chisel and hammer to cave the ring in from the edge and it will come out easily.
 
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Thanks. It passed the MOT with that fault as the steering was knackered when we bought it, and it passed the MOT that day. Guy said it was the tracking that needed doing, but he didn't have the kit, and we were convinced to do it ourselves. Never mind.

Thanks fro the instructions. I saw a video on youtube and it matches what you're saying, but what do you mean by void bush? Also is there a bush on the balljoint on the upright, or is it exactly that - a balljoint? I'll have a look and see what it should be like.

EDIT: Is the balljoint connected to the steering rod (not sure of the term)? I can see the steering rods coming from the centre of the car out to each side, and I can see a rubber bush at each end of those. Worth swapping those out?
 
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I dare say there will be opinions on this both for and against. But fitting after market poly bushes is typically much easier (Typically hand pressure only) once the old ones have been removed by using the hacksaw/drilling method mentioned above.

No press/vice required.
 
alexthecheese said:
Thanks fro the instructions. I saw a video on youtube and it matches what you're saying, but what do you mean by void bush? Also is there a bush on the balljoint on the upright, or is it exactly that - a balljoint? I'll have a look and see what it should be like.
Click to expand...

The "void" bush is the one that has fallen apart on your car. They are designed with gaps, or voids, in the rubber so they compress more in one direction than the other. These are used on many modern cars, and are a common failure point on most of them!

alexthecheese said:
EDIT: Is the balljoint connected to the steering rod (not sure of the term)? I can see the steering rods coming from the centre of the car out to each side, and I can see a rubber bush at each end of those. Worth swapping those out?
Click to expand...

There is a balljoint connecting the steering rack to the upright, this is called the "Track Rod End" and is worth testing, though mine are still perfectly fine with nearly 100k miles on them.

The balljoint I meant is attached to the outer end of the wishbone via a tapered pin and a nut, and is the part that allows the wheel to steer and move up and down with the suspension. On the EP3 the body of the balljoint is pressed into the upright, it's probably just the same on your Civic. (This is upside down compared to most FWD cars, where the body of the balljoint is attached to the end of the wishbone and the tapered part goes into the upright).

To detach the balljoint from the wishbone you need a special tool called a balljoint splitter, because the tapered pin is a very tight fit into a tapered socket.
 
Cheers, dogbreath. I understand now, much appreciated. I don't think I'll venture near the balljoint as it seems to be a bit more a mission to change than the bushes, and it's only done 55k miles so hopefully it'll last a while longer yet.

Are there any recommended bushes to get for a standard 1.6 Civic? Eurocarparts sell 'Q-Drive' bushes, and with 20% it's £27 for both bushes, both sides.

What about these polyurethane bushes? Not worth my interest considering it's a shopping mobile?
 
It's surprising the bushes have got that bad with only 55k on it, though I suppose they are 12 years old.

Don't go for polyurethane, IME they inevitably end up squeaking and the ride will be significantly harsher (the polybush that replaces the rear 'void' bush will be solid).

Eurocarparts bushes can be a bit of a lottery unless you can get the OEM ones, which is unlikely for Japanese makes. Also, having just checked I can't actually find the rear wishbone bush listed, they only seem to have the front bush and the anti-roll bar bush which does come to £27 with 20% discount, but obviously is of no use to you.

Personally I'd price up the genuine Honda parts, they may not be too bad.
 
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