Elle

I came across this detailed description of pressing bushings
out of suspension control arms using sockets, high strength
bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:

http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html

Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process. I
ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might be,
and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
(assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a 2-ton
shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
enough.

Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control arm
bushings? Please report if you have.

I am particularly interested in the socket sizes used. If I
can get the right sizes the first time, that would be great.
Otherwise, it's not all that convenient to run (um, bicycle)
back and forth between the several stores I would use for
sockets while my car is out of commission.

I might also call around to some of the salvage yards and
see if they have a bent control arm I could buy very
cheaply. Then I could drive around town with this "spare"
control arm, get the dimensions of the "home-made press"
right, and practice.

My ball joint separator is now on order via Ebay: $35 total
for the two-stage version to which Ryan posted a link
earlier (JTC Auto tools, #1727). This one was available via
bidding as opposed to "buy it now," so it seems I saved a
few bucks.

I do think my new front springs have eliminated some mild
clunkiness (when going over bumps) I heard before.

TIA for helping with my project.

Eric

Elle wrote:
>
> I came across this detailed description of pressing bushings
> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high strength
> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>
> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>
> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process. I
> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might be,
> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a 2-ton
> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
> enough.
>
> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control arm
> bushings? Please report if you have.
>
> I am particularly interested in the socket sizes used. If I
> can get the right sizes the first time, that would be great.
> Otherwise, it's not all that convenient to run (um, bicycle)
> back and forth between the several stores I would use for
> sockets while my car is out of commission.

Once you get the new bushings in hand, it should be apparent the size of the
sockets you would need to use as press tools.

Eric

Elle

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote
> Elle wrote:
>>
>> I came across this detailed description of pressing
>> bushings
>> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high
>> strength
>> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>>
>> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>>
>> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process.
>> I
>> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might
>> be,
>> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
>> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
>> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a
>> 2-ton
>> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
>> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
>> enough.
>>
>> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control
>> arm
>> bushings? Please report if you have.
>>
>> I am particularly interested in the socket sizes used. If
>> I
>> can get the right sizes the first time, that would be
>> great.
>> Otherwise, it's not all that convenient to run (um,
>> bicycle)
>> back and forth between the several stores I would use for
>> sockets while my car is out of commission.
>
> Once you get the new bushings in hand, it should be
> apparent the size of the
> sockets you would need to use as press tools.

Shucks yes! Good idea. Thank you, Eric.

Elle

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote
> Elle wrote:
>>
>> I came across this detailed description of pressing
>> bushings
>> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high
>> strength
>> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>>
>> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>>
>> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process.
>> I
>> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might
>> be,
>> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
>> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
>> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a
>> 2-ton
>> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
>> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
>> enough.
>>
>> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control
>> arm
>> bushings? Please report if you have.
>>
>> I am particularly interested in the socket sizes used. If
>> I
>> can get the right sizes the first time, that would be
>> great.
>> Otherwise, it's not all that convenient to run (um,
>> bicycle)
>> back and forth between the several stores I would use for
>> sockets while my car is out of commission.
>
> Once you get the new bushings in hand, it should be
> apparent the size of the
> sockets you would need to use as press tools.

Shucks yes! Good idea. Thank you, Eric.

Elle

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote
> Elle wrote:
>>
>> I came across this detailed description of pressing
>> bushings
>> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high
>> strength
>> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>>
>> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>>
>> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process.
>> I
>> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might
>> be,
>> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
>> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
>> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a
>> 2-ton
>> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
>> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
>> enough.
>>
>> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control
>> arm
>> bushings? Please report if you have.
>>
>> I am particularly interested in the socket sizes used. If
>> I
>> can get the right sizes the first time, that would be
>> great.
>> Otherwise, it's not all that convenient to run (um,
>> bicycle)
>> back and forth between the several stores I would use for
>> sockets while my car is out of commission.
>
> Once you get the new bushings in hand, it should be
> apparent the size of the
> sockets you would need to use as press tools.

Shucks yes! Good idea. Thank you, Eric.

'Curly Q. Links'

Elle wrote:
>
> I came across this detailed description of pressing bushings
> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high strength
> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>
> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>
> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process. I
> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might be,
> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a 2-ton
> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
> enough.
>
> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control arm
> bushings? Please report if you have.
>
----------------------------------

Can you get us a link to an item number at www.slhondaparts.com so we
can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting article, and
I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem to be very
similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he didn't warm
anything up just a bit with a torch.

Thanks.

'Curly'

'Curly Q. Links'

Elle wrote:
>
> I came across this detailed description of pressing bushings
> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high strength
> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>
> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>
> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process. I
> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might be,
> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a 2-ton
> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
> enough.
>
> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control arm
> bushings? Please report if you have.
>
----------------------------------

Can you get us a link to an item number at www.slhondaparts.com so we
can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting article, and
I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem to be very
similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he didn't warm
anything up just a bit with a torch.

Thanks.

'Curly'

'Curly Q. Links'

Elle wrote:
>
> I came across this detailed description of pressing bushings
> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high strength
> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>
> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>
> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process. I
> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might be,
> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a 2-ton
> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
> enough.
>
> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control arm
> bushings? Please report if you have.
>
----------------------------------

Can you get us a link to an item number at www.slhondaparts.com so we
can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting article, and
I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem to be very
similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he didn't warm
anything up just a bit with a torch.

Thanks.

'Curly'

Elle

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...RONT+LOWER+ARM

The first two I want to try to replace are in the front
lower control arms, items 8 and 11 in the drawing above.

I thought the Mazda's "suspension arms" (as the author of
the previous site called them at times) looked similar
enough for my purposes.

I first saw this approach suggested at rec.autos.tech. I
threw it in my notes, then revisited it last night to see if
others were using it and maybe a description existed. Voila.
Others do talk about using it in the Usenet archives, but
not the Honda newsgroups.

Not sure if there's any chance of getting the much larger
(rear) trailing arm bushings out using this
sockets-bolts-nuts-washers approach. But I think I'm awhile
away from trying to tackle those.

I'm still considering the 12-ton A-frame press at Harbor
Freight for $80, on sale through May. Another Mazda guy
described using such a press at
http://www.rx7club.com/archive/index.php/t-268904.html . I'm
just not wild about having the press take up space in my
garage (admittedly a big garage) when I use it so rarely.
I'd be surprised if I could just rent one.

Dunno about the torch. Seems a little tricky heating the
control arm (around the bushing) with all the home-made
"press gear" in place.

I'm pretty settled on Kingmotorsports.com 's Mugen bushings.
I read their site and see their claims that they are Honda
specialized and the only dealer in North America for Mugen.
Their front lower control arm bushing set is about ten
dollars less than the usual online OEM parts places
(slhonda, Majestic, Team Honda, etc.) I've pretty much
talked myself out of polyurethane bushings because of the
noise people report (including, IIRC, J. Beam's experiences)
and the greater difficult (I suspect) of installing these.
Also, the web site
http://www.performanceforum.com/wesv...g/bushing.html
suggests the rubber bushings now available are better than
the original ones installed. Honda Co. made an explicit
change to the material design, or so it seems.

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote
> Can you get us a link to an item number at
> www.slhondaparts.com so we
> can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting
> article, and
> I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem
> to be very
> similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he
> didn't warm
> anything up just a bit with a torch.

Elle

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...RONT+LOWER+ARM

The first two I want to try to replace are in the front
lower control arms, items 8 and 11 in the drawing above.

I thought the Mazda's "suspension arms" (as the author of
the previous site called them at times) looked similar
enough for my purposes.

I first saw this approach suggested at rec.autos.tech. I
threw it in my notes, then revisited it last night to see if
others were using it and maybe a description existed. Voila.
Others do talk about using it in the Usenet archives, but
not the Honda newsgroups.

Not sure if there's any chance of getting the much larger
(rear) trailing arm bushings out using this
sockets-bolts-nuts-washers approach. But I think I'm awhile
away from trying to tackle those.

I'm still considering the 12-ton A-frame press at Harbor
Freight for $80, on sale through May. Another Mazda guy
described using such a press at
http://www.rx7club.com/archive/index.php/t-268904.html . I'm
just not wild about having the press take up space in my
garage (admittedly a big garage) when I use it so rarely.
I'd be surprised if I could just rent one.

Dunno about the torch. Seems a little tricky heating the
control arm (around the bushing) with all the home-made
"press gear" in place.

I'm pretty settled on Kingmotorsports.com 's Mugen bushings.
I read their site and see their claims that they are Honda
specialized and the only dealer in North America for Mugen.
Their front lower control arm bushing set is about ten
dollars less than the usual online OEM parts places
(slhonda, Majestic, Team Honda, etc.) I've pretty much
talked myself out of polyurethane bushings because of the
noise people report (including, IIRC, J. Beam's experiences)
and the greater difficult (I suspect) of installing these.
Also, the web site
http://www.performanceforum.com/wesv...g/bushing.html
suggests the rubber bushings now available are better than
the original ones installed. Honda Co. made an explicit
change to the material design, or so it seems.

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote
> Can you get us a link to an item number at
> www.slhondaparts.com so we
> can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting
> article, and
> I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem
> to be very
> similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he
> didn't warm
> anything up just a bit with a torch.

Elle

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...RONT+LOWER+ARM

The first two I want to try to replace are in the front
lower control arms, items 8 and 11 in the drawing above.

I thought the Mazda's "suspension arms" (as the author of
the previous site called them at times) looked similar
enough for my purposes.

I first saw this approach suggested at rec.autos.tech. I
threw it in my notes, then revisited it last night to see if
others were using it and maybe a description existed. Voila.
Others do talk about using it in the Usenet archives, but
not the Honda newsgroups.

Not sure if there's any chance of getting the much larger
(rear) trailing arm bushings out using this
sockets-bolts-nuts-washers approach. But I think I'm awhile
away from trying to tackle those.

I'm still considering the 12-ton A-frame press at Harbor
Freight for $80, on sale through May. Another Mazda guy
described using such a press at
http://www.rx7club.com/archive/index.php/t-268904.html . I'm
just not wild about having the press take up space in my
garage (admittedly a big garage) when I use it so rarely.
I'd be surprised if I could just rent one.

Dunno about the torch. Seems a little tricky heating the
control arm (around the bushing) with all the home-made
"press gear" in place.

I'm pretty settled on Kingmotorsports.com 's Mugen bushings.
I read their site and see their claims that they are Honda
specialized and the only dealer in North America for Mugen.
Their front lower control arm bushing set is about ten
dollars less than the usual online OEM parts places
(slhonda, Majestic, Team Honda, etc.) I've pretty much
talked myself out of polyurethane bushings because of the
noise people report (including, IIRC, J. Beam's experiences)
and the greater difficult (I suspect) of installing these.
Also, the web site
http://www.performanceforum.com/wesv...g/bushing.html
suggests the rubber bushings now available are better than
the original ones installed. Honda Co. made an explicit
change to the material design, or so it seems.

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote
> Can you get us a link to an item number at
> www.slhondaparts.com so we
> can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting
> article, and
> I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem
> to be very
> similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he
> didn't warm
> anything up just a bit with a torch.

Grumpy AuContraire

While the control arm is secure in a vise, I use a chisel and LARGE
hammer to collapse the outer metal shield of the bushing. Been doing
that for years.

When reinstalling, heat the whole control arm up to 150-200° F and the
new bushings will practically "fall into" position. Same trick works
great for leaf spring bushing installations...

JT

(The only laws to abide by are those dealing with physics)




Elle wrote:
>
> http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...RONT+LOWER+ARM
>
> The first two I want to try to replace are in the front
> lower control arms, items 8 and 11 in the drawing above.
>
> I thought the Mazda's "suspension arms" (as the author of
> the previous site called them at times) looked similar
> enough for my purposes.
>
> I first saw this approach suggested at rec.autos.tech. I
> threw it in my notes, then revisited it last night to see if
> others were using it and maybe a description existed. Voila.
> Others do talk about using it in the Usenet archives, but
> not the Honda newsgroups.
>
> Not sure if there's any chance of getting the much larger
> (rear) trailing arm bushings out using this
> sockets-bolts-nuts-washers approach. But I think I'm awhile
> away from trying to tackle those.
>
> I'm still considering the 12-ton A-frame press at Harbor
> Freight for $80, on sale through May. Another Mazda guy
> described using such a press at
> http://www.rx7club.com/archive/index.php/t-268904.html . I'm
> just not wild about having the press take up space in my
> garage (admittedly a big garage) when I use it so rarely.
> I'd be surprised if I could just rent one.
>
> Dunno about the torch. Seems a little tricky heating the
> control arm (around the bushing) with all the home-made
> "press gear" in place.
>
> I'm pretty settled on Kingmotorsports.com 's Mugen bushings.
> I read their site and see their claims that they are Honda
> specialized and the only dealer in North America for Mugen.
> Their front lower control arm bushing set is about ten
> dollars less than the usual online OEM parts places
> (slhonda, Majestic, Team Honda, etc.) I've pretty much
> talked myself out of polyurethane bushings because of the
> noise people report (including, IIRC, J. Beam's experiences)
> and the greater difficult (I suspect) of installing these.
> Also, the web site
> http://www.performanceforum.com/wesv...g/bushing.html
> suggests the rubber bushings now available are better than
> the original ones installed. Honda Co. made an explicit
> change to the material design, or so it seems.
>
> "'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote
> > Can you get us a link to an item number at
> > www.slhondaparts.com so we
> > can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting
> > article, and
> > I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem
> > to be very
> > similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he
> > didn't warm
> > anything up just a bit with a torch.

Grumpy AuContraire

While the control arm is secure in a vise, I use a chisel and LARGE
hammer to collapse the outer metal shield of the bushing. Been doing
that for years.

When reinstalling, heat the whole control arm up to 150-200° F and the
new bushings will practically "fall into" position. Same trick works
great for leaf spring bushing installations...

JT

(The only laws to abide by are those dealing with physics)




Elle wrote:
>
> http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...RONT+LOWER+ARM
>
> The first two I want to try to replace are in the front
> lower control arms, items 8 and 11 in the drawing above.
>
> I thought the Mazda's "suspension arms" (as the author of
> the previous site called them at times) looked similar
> enough for my purposes.
>
> I first saw this approach suggested at rec.autos.tech. I
> threw it in my notes, then revisited it last night to see if
> others were using it and maybe a description existed. Voila.
> Others do talk about using it in the Usenet archives, but
> not the Honda newsgroups.
>
> Not sure if there's any chance of getting the much larger
> (rear) trailing arm bushings out using this
> sockets-bolts-nuts-washers approach. But I think I'm awhile
> away from trying to tackle those.
>
> I'm still considering the 12-ton A-frame press at Harbor
> Freight for $80, on sale through May. Another Mazda guy
> described using such a press at
> http://www.rx7club.com/archive/index.php/t-268904.html . I'm
> just not wild about having the press take up space in my
> garage (admittedly a big garage) when I use it so rarely.
> I'd be surprised if I could just rent one.
>
> Dunno about the torch. Seems a little tricky heating the
> control arm (around the bushing) with all the home-made
> "press gear" in place.
>
> I'm pretty settled on Kingmotorsports.com 's Mugen bushings.
> I read their site and see their claims that they are Honda
> specialized and the only dealer in North America for Mugen.
> Their front lower control arm bushing set is about ten
> dollars less than the usual online OEM parts places
> (slhonda, Majestic, Team Honda, etc.) I've pretty much
> talked myself out of polyurethane bushings because of the
> noise people report (including, IIRC, J. Beam's experiences)
> and the greater difficult (I suspect) of installing these.
> Also, the web site
> http://www.performanceforum.com/wesv...g/bushing.html
> suggests the rubber bushings now available are better than
> the original ones installed. Honda Co. made an explicit
> change to the material design, or so it seems.
>
> "'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote
> > Can you get us a link to an item number at
> > www.slhondaparts.com so we
> > can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting
> > article, and
> > I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem
> > to be very
> > similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he
> > didn't warm
> > anything up just a bit with a torch.

Grumpy AuContraire

While the control arm is secure in a vise, I use a chisel and LARGE
hammer to collapse the outer metal shield of the bushing. Been doing
that for years.

When reinstalling, heat the whole control arm up to 150-200° F and the
new bushings will practically "fall into" position. Same trick works
great for leaf spring bushing installations...

JT

(The only laws to abide by are those dealing with physics)




Elle wrote:
>
> http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...RONT+LOWER+ARM
>
> The first two I want to try to replace are in the front
> lower control arms, items 8 and 11 in the drawing above.
>
> I thought the Mazda's "suspension arms" (as the author of
> the previous site called them at times) looked similar
> enough for my purposes.
>
> I first saw this approach suggested at rec.autos.tech. I
> threw it in my notes, then revisited it last night to see if
> others were using it and maybe a description existed. Voila.
> Others do talk about using it in the Usenet archives, but
> not the Honda newsgroups.
>
> Not sure if there's any chance of getting the much larger
> (rear) trailing arm bushings out using this
> sockets-bolts-nuts-washers approach. But I think I'm awhile
> away from trying to tackle those.
>
> I'm still considering the 12-ton A-frame press at Harbor
> Freight for $80, on sale through May. Another Mazda guy
> described using such a press at
> http://www.rx7club.com/archive/index.php/t-268904.html . I'm
> just not wild about having the press take up space in my
> garage (admittedly a big garage) when I use it so rarely.
> I'd be surprised if I could just rent one.
>
> Dunno about the torch. Seems a little tricky heating the
> control arm (around the bushing) with all the home-made
> "press gear" in place.
>
> I'm pretty settled on Kingmotorsports.com 's Mugen bushings.
> I read their site and see their claims that they are Honda
> specialized and the only dealer in North America for Mugen.
> Their front lower control arm bushing set is about ten
> dollars less than the usual online OEM parts places
> (slhonda, Majestic, Team Honda, etc.) I've pretty much
> talked myself out of polyurethane bushings because of the
> noise people report (including, IIRC, J. Beam's experiences)
> and the greater difficult (I suspect) of installing these.
> Also, the web site
> http://www.performanceforum.com/wesv...g/bushing.html
> suggests the rubber bushings now available are better than
> the original ones installed. Honda Co. made an explicit
> change to the material design, or so it seems.
>
> "'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote
> > Can you get us a link to an item number at
> > www.slhondaparts.com so we
> > can see which ones you're changing? It's an interesting
> > article, and
> > I've got some clunks on my CR-v but the parts don't seem
> > to be very
> > similar to the 1993 Mazda RX-7. I also wondered why he
> > didn't warm
> > anything up just a bit with a torch.

SoCalMike

Elle wrote:
> I'm pretty settled on Kingmotorsports.com 's Mugen bushings.
> I read their site and see their claims that they are Honda
> specialized and the only dealer in North America for Mugen.
> Their front lower control arm bushing set is about ten
> dollars less than the usual online OEM parts places
> (slhonda, Majestic, Team Honda, etc.) I've pretty much
> talked myself out of polyurethane bushings because of the
> noise people report (including, IIRC, J. Beam's experiences)

yes. i replaced lower control arm bushings on an 81 rabbit convertible
with aftermarket urethane bushings. they squeaked like i had a styrofoam
cooler under the hood. i dont remember if i was supposed to lube them or
not.