Honda/Acura Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Replacement

This trailing arm bushing repair will apply to:

Honda Civics 1989-2000
Honda CRV 1997-2001
Acura Integra 1990-2001

It is very common for the trailing arm bushings on older Honda Civics and Acura Integras to degrade and break.

Honda wants to sell you the entire control arm, but with the tool in this video, a new set of aftermarket bushings, and this video, you can fix up your rear suspension in no time.

Thanks for watching!

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ETCG

Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.  Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy®.

[BigDog]

FYI, if you want to install a genuine Honda bushing, you can buy just the bushing but Honda does not make it easy to find. The Honda part number for 1988-2000 Civics is 52385-SR3-000 (1997-2001 CRVs use Part # 52385-SR3-003). Good job getting is fixed Eric!

[zxztv]

Thanks for leaving in the problems, too many creators edit it out.

That tool looks good, but there needs to be a wide thick foot that fits over the bolt end.
Less wobble effect, a straighter push on the new part.

[pete]

On behalf of DIYer's who don't go this far mechanically, thanks Eric!
Shedding some light on the challenges a "real" mechanic goes through has educated me, and hopefully many others.
This might pose as a reminder for would be clients to put aside a few extra bucks (for additional parts n' labour) when having this kind of repair done.
Further proof that mechanic/auto technician does not equal crook.

[ruinunes]

That job with a lift makes life much easier. I own 2 civics and I went through that job at least 4 times as far as I remember. And I don’t have a lift.
I have a different bushing removal tool, I have the LASER 4716, it is expensive but nice sturdy piece of kit. I will put my bit of input here.
I usually mark the position of the trailing arm bushing while the car is sitting on the ground.
Fot the alignment bolt, I usually use something sharp to make a marking all around the washer, so when the job is done you just sit the washer around the marking you have done earlier and if you do it precisely, you don’t need an alignment. Lucky me, my civics didn’t have such a stubborn bolt like yours.
All the bushings I bought here in Uk, already came with the chamfered edge, that is a huge help.
Those 2 bolts at 16:00 minutes, the very top ones, I strongly recommend start putting them in by hand, they are a pig to start getting them in, I usually use a floor jack to lift the trailing arm up in position the make life easier. Using the impact straight away to put them in, risks cross thread the threads on the body where the bolts are bolted in place. The previous owner of one of my civics did just that and when the time came for me to change the bushings, I had a bit of hard time to put one of the bolts back in place.

[John-fzij]

Fellow rust belter here, this job is a right of passage for civic/integra owners. Especially if you have to do it without that special tool, on jack stands, in the winter time. In my case most of those bolts were totally seized, days of penetrating oil and heat didn't work and I ended up snapping 5 of them, I'm sure frustration played no role there. It can* be done without removing the toe adjustment bolt but is a serious PITA, you need something like a block of wood to hold the trailing arm down. Key thing is patience with troublesome bolts which Eric demonstrates very well. You rarely see him snapping a bolt and make a hard job worse. Chamfering and a hammer (or mini sledge) are definitely your friend for getting the bushing started to go in.

[AlphaMaxx]

I did both of those trail arm bushings in my Honda Civic 2000 LX about 8 months ago and they were easy to replace with a no special tools (an air hammer would help a lot, though). I gathered a lot of info before I did my work and according to a few sources you have to push the bushing from the inside to the outside and not the other way because either the bushing replacement or the arm is actually beveled. A 4 lb sledge hammer is your best friend for this job.

[sirnik]

Started watching your channel when I had a civic like this one. Sold that thing years ago. But I still watch because I find great value in how you overcome when things go sideways. This video is a great example. Watching you struggle gives me tricks so I struggle less. Thanks for the video. Cheers.

[jonathankuhn]

I helped a buddy with his car and we had a bolt frozen in the bushing. Freaking pain in the butt. I'm glad I'm in good company!! Awesome video as always!

[ChoisissezUnNom]

Hey Éric ( sorry for my bad english, I am a French canadian hehe) I just want to tell you thank you. A couple year ago I started to watch your video and started to work on my own car. Now I'm a young mechanic and I share my passion with other people. Thank you and keep on doing your great work.

[jean-philippegrenier]

While the car is in the shop, the customer takes a coffee, open the fridge for some milk, there are bushings where the popcicles used to be.

[davidcrumley]

Man this video is fantastic. You seriously saved my bacon going through the possible issues with this bushing replacement. I ended up throwing the bushings in the freezer a few days before doing this and that helped when pressing them in.

[ughmas]

Howdy Eric, Just wanted to thank you for this video from 2022, Finally decided to replace my shot trailing arm bushings in my 99 Civic SI. I had done this on a 98 civic many years ago using a large socket the size of the bushing, and a large hammer (needless to say this wasn't fun going out or in, but I got it done), so I had bought the special tool in advance. Soaked all the bolts in penetrating oil for a couple days in preparation, but I should have taken heed: "Surely my alignment bolt wont be that stuck, I don't need to order the compensator arms" 'Lo and behold, the dreaded bushing sleeve spin. Thankfully it wasn't stuck in the end nut just the bushing, so I didn't have to use heat or drill a hole, I was able to grab the bushing after a couple attempts with vise grips and get the bolt out. One more hit to the wallet and all the new arms and bolts are on the way... thankfully I have time to do it right. Appreciate all your videos over the years.

[basharrikabi]

the way of patience you're showing here is really teaching me a lot in blessed you dear brother

[kevincrush]

I have a '98 CRV and I'm in the middle of replacing the rear trailing arm bushings(with Honda OEM..not messing around with the aftermarket on such a critical item), rear stabilizer bar end-links & bushings, rear struts, and the compensating arms. I bought new bolts for the bottom strut mount and four bolts for the compensating arms. After watching Eric struggle with the inner compensating arm bolt I was fearing the worst since I've owned the vehicle for 22+ years and I know those bolts have never been removed. I live in the Atlantic City area(around 8 miles inland) so although we're certainly not the Rust Belt we do occasionally get snow and our roads are often treated with salt. I was relieved and thrilled when both of the inner compensating arm bolts came loose without too much effort. Before I loosened them I scribed around the bolts to insure they'll be in the same position when I put everything back together. The new trailing arm bushings are resting comfortably in the freezer awaiting installation. Hopefully today goes as well as yesterday.

[frugalprepper]

The videos just get better and better lately Eric!

[TheDoeVideos]

Last time I tried to use that tool it ended up bending the trailing arm because the bushing was too seized. Had to use a press to get it out. Really surprised that it came out so easy for you, especially with what happened with the toe arm!

[arthurfricchione]

Nice video Eric. Real world auto mechanics. How hard can it be. Nothing is as easy as it looks. Thanks for the tips. 👍

[within_cells]

Did a rear disc swap on my del sol years ago, also added stainless steel lines and solid bushings. No rust and all of my fasteners came out without issue. Guess I got lucky. Brings back memories!

[Pablocrz]

4:56 "I could be scared, or I could just do it" if that's not the truest thing I've ever heard I don't know what is

[ahatch]

Just did this job on my 98 crv in the driveway. This tool made it so much easier. I sprayed the toe adjustment bolts every day for about three days with kroil prior to trying to loosen them. Now my integra needs the same treatment.