I just bought some Prothane trailing arm bushings for my 88 Civic. Has
anyone on the list done this replacement?
I thought I read somewhere that you can just 'burn out' the old bushings.
But, isn't there a metal rim around them like the replacement ones, or are
they bonded directly to the trailing arm? Or, are the Prothane bushings
designed to press inside the old rim, and it is supposed to remain intact?

It looks to be that there is a very very narrow rim around the old bushing,
but I can't imagine getting a press in there to push it out - how would you
gain any purchase on that narrow band?

Any help would be appreciated. I am likely taking this to an auto shop to
have done, but I'd like to be able to advise them if they aren't sure of
this stuff too.

Frank

 

Frank van Hoof wrote:
>
> I just bought some Prothane trailing arm bushings for my 88 Civic. Has
> anyone on the list done this replacement?
> I thought I read somewhere that you can just 'burn out' the old bushings.
> But, isn't there a metal rim around them like the replacement ones, or are
> they bonded directly to the trailing arm? Or, are the Prothane bushings
> designed to press inside the old rim, and it is supposed to remain intact?
>
> It looks to be that there is a very very narrow rim around the old bushing,
> but I can't imagine getting a press in there to push it out - how would you
> gain any purchase on that narrow band?
>
> Any help would be appreciated. I am likely taking this to an auto shop to
> have done, but I'd like to be able to advise them if they aren't sure of
> this stuff too.
>

The old bushings need to be pressed out and the new bushings need to be pressed
in. There is a service bulletin available for this job. It indicates the need
to completely remove the trailing arms from the car and use a special drift to
remove/replace the bushings. I'm not familiar with Prothane bushings. I had
stock ones installed and not having a hydraulic press available I had a shop do
it for me. The car will also need a 4 wheel alignment once everything is back
together.

Eric

 

Frank van Hoof wrote:
>
> I just bought some Prothane trailing arm bushings for my 88 Civic. Has
> anyone on the list done this replacement?
> I thought I read somewhere that you can just 'burn out' the old bushings.
> But, isn't there a metal rim around them like the replacement ones, or are
> they bonded directly to the trailing arm? Or, are the Prothane bushings
> designed to press inside the old rim, and it is supposed to remain intact?
>
> It looks to be that there is a very very narrow rim around the old bushing,
> but I can't imagine getting a press in there to push it out - how would you
> gain any purchase on that narrow band?
>
> Any help would be appreciated. I am likely taking this to an auto shop to
> have done, but I'd like to be able to advise them if they aren't sure of
> this stuff too.
>

The old bushings need to be pressed out and the new bushings need to be pressed
in. There is a service bulletin available for this job. It indicates the need
to completely remove the trailing arms from the car and use a special drift to
remove/replace the bushings. I'm not familiar with Prothane bushings. I had
stock ones installed and not having a hydraulic press available I had a shop do
it for me. The car will also need a 4 wheel alignment once everything is back
together.

Eric