cracked lower control arm Bushing

[C(-)ris]

space-time wrote:
or I could just forget about it... but then I would be like the 99% of people.

The worst that could happen is you wear out a tire, of course you would have to never rotate for this to happen and a few cracks wouldn't do it. Maybe if most of the rubber disintegrated...

[space-time]

Thanks C(-)ris

[Carm]

What C(-)ris said.
Bushing Press. http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Co...B00061SGOU 69.99

Backyard mechanic way: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=154137


Joe

[mrbigstuff]

well, in my car the bushing was causing klunks and the car could not align without replacement. so... looking at what was a decent arm save the bushing, I thought I was being both frugal and conservative by replacing just the bushing

[deckeda]

Are you sure he wasn't talking about the lower ball joints? They get pressed into the control arm. That's a serious alignment, handling and safety issue if it's bad, but they tend to last the life of the car unless damaged in an accident.

Either way, get a second opinion. If you want to remove the control arm yourself, any decent machine shop should be able to press out the old and press in the new ball joint. And if you can do that part, congratulations — I got the bench vise, and arbor press but never could figure out a way to press out the old ones on my Honda's lower control arms. Even if you bought new control arms with the ball joints installed (no, you don't need to get them from Honda IMO) you'd still come out cheaper than having someone else do it.

So, you have options.

[deckeda]

Carm wrote:
What C(-)ris said.
Bushing Press. http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Co...B00061SGOU 69.99

Backyard mechanic way: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=154137


Joe

Hmm, think that particular bushing press would work for a Honda's LCA? It says it's for RWD domestics, but that seems pretty broad. Those "backyard mechanic way" pics brought back some painful memories for me.

[mrbigstuff]

carm, good links. that TDI arm is very similar to my Volvo arm, although the Volvo is forged aluminum.

that is also essentially what I wanted to do with the press, but I gave up after some time of struggle. my workshop is not what it should be.

as to buying the Honda vs. aftermarket bushing: do you want to have to do this again...? why cheap out when the price difference is probably so little? you know, the whole penny wise, pound foolish thing.

[deckeda]

It does pay to ask around on a dedicated forum. There are reputable companies who make and sell very high quality replacement suspension bushings and kits for Hondas, whether OEM style or performance-oriented urethane/graphic impregnated urethane.

[voodoopenguin]

space-time wrote:
he has more experience, he had to, he drove one of these

That is a Dacia, did he drive a Dacia or the car it was based on, a Renault 12? My in-laws had two Renault 12s which weren't very exciting but very comfortable and lasted for years.

Paul

[space-time]

yes Paul, a Dacia