Are Bushings worth the effort...........

[import_convert]

Are performance pushings worth my time for me to install into a daily driver? Or should i just got with stock bushings from the dealer? I want to have a good ground planting ride but not something thats not going to give me any play or movement when i move over a speed bump or hit a small pot hole.

[jwn7]

there really not that hard to install - provided you have the tools. stock bushings from the dealer are almost just as difficult to install, because you still have to rip the car apart; however, pressing them in and out may or may not be a little easier. either way, i would not attempt this install without a press and impact tools.

my friend and i put 1000s of poly bushings, coilovers, and a rear anti-sway/tie bar on my car in 5 hours. we basically ripped the whole suspension up, pressed all the bushings in, and put everything back together. i couldn't imagine doing this by hand; unless you have a few days and a lot of paitence, you're going to need impact tools and a press.

also, the poly bushings you get from energy suspension, are actually cheaper than oem honda ones. if you want a good planting ride, you want poly bushings.

[Calesta]

If you're going to change your bushings no matter what, go with the poly units. I have a full Energy Suspension set on my Civic, and the difference from stock is amazing. The car feels much tighter, and the response time is awesome. You'll notice an even greater difference if your stock bushings were worn out.

If you're going to go through the trouble anyway, upgrade. Just make sure that you apply enough lube when you install- otherwise you might squeak a lot later on down the road. Mine are whisper quiet- not everyone's are.

Good luck!

[984drcivic]

I was thinking about getting new bushings for my civic. The only problem is do I have to have a heavy duty commercial press or is there a more affordable press you can use.

[B16B]

yes, you can use a vise, but a press is going to work a lot better. I did these for my older civic a few years ago. If you like the "feel" the road and have a better responding car in the corners etc., this is for you. If you get nervous when the car squeeks, and hate a rougher ride, this is not for you. Its kinda a funny thing, you trade creature comfort for performance enhancement. If you have the patience(you will need it) the time, and the most of all the tools to do, it is a great mod especially if you are replacing old worn out bushings.

[honda93]

...If you like the "feel" the road and have a better responding car in the corners etc., this is for you. If you get nervous when the car squeeks, and hate a rougher ride, this is not for you.

...it is a great mod especially if you are replacing old worn out bushings.


Hello all,

I had the ES bushing master set on my nationally competitive (SCCA Solo2) 1993 Civic DX...

Liked them for the first year, then I loathed them, then I flat out hated them. Why???

Part of what stiffens things up is the fact that the outer face of the bushing isolates the damper forks, control arms, etc. This is awesome when new, but over time, the material gets beat up, cracks, flakes, you name it. Then the bushing itself inside the control arms begin to crack due to the stresses of racing and the elements in general.

Truth be told, Honda bushings are quite small in size in relation to other cars, and when you factor in the metal sleeve they are encased in, the rubber unit's actually got a pretty small surface area thus, they're stiffer than people realize...Check with the magazine Grassroots Motorsports if you don't believe me.

IMHO, the OEM rubber units are the best way to go. As far as difficulty installing them, for the money, I just replace the entire control arm now! I sell the bushing-less control arm to someone who is convinced they NEED poly bushings because I'm selling a product where much of the hard part is done already. One final option are the Mugen hard rubber bushings... Their stuff is real good, but one needs the budget from the BAR F1 team to afford anything!

In general, on matters like this, try to take advice from real racers and autocrossers, not just people who try to build street rides. Hope this helps.

Anthony "Mario" Crea

[import_convert]

it does help but the thing is that i'm not going to be racing it all that much i'm just looking for that extra bit of handling....well ok alot more handling then most but it will be driven everyday. And i thank u very much for opinion and i will deffinaly take that and use it in my decition.

[45psi]

yes

[B16B]

Why not upgrade add add some ITR sway bars? I did for my 93 hatch and wow, what a difference