so my upper rear knuckle bushings are pretty much non-existant and i'd like to replace them sometime in the near future - prolly with the ES ones. what tools will I need besides the typical sockets and whatnot? do i need a spring compressor? i'm not sure how many of the bushings i'll do since i know what a PITA they can be. the knuckle bushings definitely need replacement though. car's clunking all around the place atm. thanks
#32293, "RE: rear knuckle bushing replacement tools" In response to Reply # 0
I replaced mine with the ES bushings and the upper knuckle bushings didn't last but a few hundred miles. So I got some Prothane upper knuckle bushings i'm going to install sometime in the near future. The prothane bushings are a lot easier to install because they are 2 piece bushings that don't require a press to install them. Prothane is more expensive than ES but I think they are worth the extra.
Here's a pic of my ES bushings after only a short time and few miles.
#32294, "RE: rear knuckle bushing replacement tools" In response to Reply # 1
can you get a blurrier pic? I can almost make out what that pic is
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#32295, "RE: rear knuckle bushing replacement tools" In response to Reply # 2 May-14-09 06:03 PM by DirtMegirt
Daes, the same thing happened with the ES bushing on the drivers side rear. How are the P's different? As far as what tools, I did all the rear bushings fron the ES kit the same. I scraped out most of the rubber so that the metal sleeve was exposed, used a hacksaw to cut across the circumference in two places about a 1/4" apart, pryed that piece out to relieve the pressure on the sleeve, and then popped that out. As far as installing them, I didn't have to use a press, just some of the lube in the ES kit and some elbow grease. Of course a metric socket set and wrenches are useful. If you use this method, be careful not to damage the surfaces that the new bushing goes into by cutting to far with the hacksaw.
#32297, "RE: rear knuckle bushing replacement tools" In response to Reply # 4
ES bushings are a softer polyurethane than the Prothane bushings. I like having a car that NO ONE wants to ride in. So I did all Prothane bushings and motor mounts.
#32298, "RE: rear knuckle bushing replacement tools" In response to Reply # 4
Originally posted by MCubed45 were any other bushings replaced at the same time? maybe other bad bushings allowed too much play and premature wear on the new knuckle bushing?
The ES master kit that I had replaced all 3 rear knuckle bushings(I only replaced two, the top and the frontside, I have no idea why ), both rear upper control arm bushings, as well as the larger trailing arm bushings. It makes sense what freelance says about the softer compound, and maybe that does allow for more play and premature wear?
#32300, "RE: rear knuckle bushing replacement tools" In response to Reply # 7
Originally posted by daes_venge I replaced all of the rear bushings at the same time with ES bushings. Those upper knuckle bushings are the only ones that have failed so far.
weird. maybe it's just the design of our suspension? it seems pretty common for the stock top knuckle bushing to go so i guess that particular bushing just sees a lot of stress?
for those of you with the prothane inserts, how have those been holding up?
#32301, "RE: rear knuckle bushing replacement tools" In response to Reply # 8
I have those rear knuckle bushings as well. Im going on 8 months including winter on mine and they are still ok.
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