Bushing Basics.pdf - Acura Vigor Club

arm bushings can be checked onlywith the wheels hanging or otherwiseunloaded.Service Tools & TechniquesMost factory service manualsspecify special tools for use asbushing drivers. That’s fine, butmost real-world techs don’t haveaccess to these tools. So they relyon a small set of dedicated bushingdrivers and a large array ofsockets for most bushing R&R operations.Both Bill Beard and LyleBurgess concur. Burgess, based insunny California, states that anappropriately sized socket orbushing driver and a good hammerare usually all it takes to replaceand reinstall a worn bushing.He cautions that if a bushingbegins to cock in its bore duringinstallation, it’s important tostraighten it out immediately, toprevent damage to the bore.Beard, from the midwest, endorsesusing a bench vise as a press forbushing reinstallation. Bothstressed the importance of properlysupporting the workpiece andcarefully selecting the appropriatedriver. “You don’t want to bendanything—especially the outersleeve or the flange—during installation,”says Burgess.In areas subjected to heavyroad-salt use, it pays to thoroughlyclean the bore before attemptingto install a new bushing. Use awire wheel, a flex-stone hone oreven a sandblaster to remove anyrust and corrosion. In some instances,a small amount of a nonpermanentlubricant (like liquidsoap) may be needed to ease installation.But remember, thebushing shell must be locked inplace, so use any lube sparingly.ConclusionBushing problems are easy to miss.You must inspect the entire suspensionsystem in both the loadedand unloaded modes. Select replacementbushings based on vehicleuse and the bushing’s environment.Be careful to avoid damagingthem during replacement. Andremember that the clunking noisefrom the rear of your customer’svehicle may not signal a strut job,just some worn stabilizer barmounting bushings.Visit www.motor.com to downloada free copy of this article.June 200339