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Lower front control arm bushing

Tiny
CHAD97Z
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 ACURA TL
  • 3.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 94,000 MILES
Can you press the front compliance bushing out of the arm using a socket that is slightly smaller than the outer rim of the bushing? So basically the socket will sit on the rubber area. I notice there are two rubber looking stoppers that are opposite to the "axis" in which the bushing flex's. So I am wondering if I can press on that instead of the outer metal rim which is very very thin and it takes a specific size to hit that without getting stuck in the arm itself while pressing out the bushing. See?
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Wednesday, November 21st, 2018 AT 11:30 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny,

I suppose that might work but the easiest way would be to use a a bushing removal/installation set. Most auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and will rent you one. That would be ways more simple. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Wednesday, November 21st, 2018 AT 10:06 PM
Tiny
CHAD97Z
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Thanks for the reply. I have already been to 3 stores, autozone and orielly and napa and none of them had it but napa had one at another location which was far away from me. But I already have a bearing / bushing press kit but I do not have the exact size. So I am wondering if I even need to have the perfect size because of the way the bushing is built. It has those little rubber tabs on the opposite sides of the "flex axis". See "push here" that is what I am referring to. Also, see how thin the outer edge is? In order to have the perfect size, you basically might get your tool Stuck in the arm. I mean the press tool, has to be smaller that the outer edge otherwise it will get stuck in the arm. If I cannot "press here", it seems illogical that Honda would make that outer rim so thin if I had to press in it to get it to come out. Therefore it seems logical to me, that those are little tabs, which should allow you to press the bushing out without breaking the rubber. Plus you have to ask, "why are those little tabs even there"? Those side spots, which I am calling "tabs", have no function because the flex axis is opposite to those tabs. And the tabs do not support anything. So, I am wonder why it would require a special tool to remove the bushing? Any socket should work that is wide enough to hit those 2 tabs! See?
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Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
CHAD97Z
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Like what size socket/flange thing did he use here? See minute marker 3:10 It does not look very precise! No special tool. But it is hard to tell completely.
https://youtu.be/g_hj1hRSNgg
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Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 AT 10:53 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Yes, at 3:10 in the video that is a thin wall bushing removal tool from a bushing removal/installation set. That is not a socket. That is why the bushing tool set is recommended. If you use a socket and it is too small it will bust the rubber out leaving the metal ring stuck in the control arm. Use a socket too big and it will enlarge/ruin the opening in the control arm and leave too much gap not allowing new bushing to fit due to enlarged/damaged control arm. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions if needed. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
CHAD97Z
  • MEMBER
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Not True. I have looked at about thirty difference "bushing removal sets" at AutoZone because they could not find one for my Acura TL. And none of them had a scrap metal piece that is in the video at 3:11. Not only that, if you look closer at that scrap metal at 3:11, the top of it has indention's on it. That is a soft piece of metal. Real bushing sets are not soft metal. At 3:02, that is a real bushing/bearing piece that comes from a kit. Now that piece of a metal is hardened and you will not find any intentions on that. So, the metal piece at 3:11 is not a "thin-walled bushing tool". Secondly, even if I use a piece of metal that is too small to push out the bushing, and if it rips the rubber insert out of the bushing wall, then so what! That bushing is old. I do not want it anyway. Then all I have to do to remove the old remaining sleeve from arm, is use the New Bushing to push out the old one. See, are you not glad to have guys like me who help you understand how all this works? You should get a press someday and try to do this before you give advice.
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Friday, November 23rd, 2018 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

Sorry about the confusion. I was the one that made the video so I can help. That piece you see at 3:11 is a bushing removal tool but it from an older set that came with the shop. I found after I did the job it would have been better to replace the control arm for $49.00.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079D486QZ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2carprcom-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B079D486QZ&linkId=32e9b9d0c6b82d383c871d5dadffa407

You cannot push on the rubber to get the bushing out. The other way is to push the rubber out then grab a air chisel and push a slot in the bushing ring to collapse it. The new bushing will push right in. Sorry that is such a thin wall bushing and I know they make new ones but it is better to get the entire arm.

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, November 23rd, 2018 AT 4:58 PM

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