[boss1111]

Hi All,
I drive 05 Accord LX I4. Saturday, i took my car to auto shop for oil change. I was expecting recommendation for front brakes and strut replacement as i fell vibration while braking and my car tilt alot while cornering.
But the real surprise was when i was told i need to replace driver side front lower control arm as the bush has slipped out of the arm casing (pic attached).
- Mechanic told me that just bush can't be replaced, so need to replace the control arm. I did some search online check if the rubber bush can be replaced instead of whole control arm. Seems like removing old bush from the control cashing and pushing in new bush a very tough job, i read somebody trying to burn the old bush with blow torch and then install new one. Is it good idea to install the new control arm instead?

-If i have to replace the control arm, any recommendations? which brand? from where to buy?
-Shop quoted me fron lower control arm for $265 and labor $142.
-Other side control arm if ok. Does it make sense replace both sides at same time?

Thanks alot.

 

[mobiless2]

Any mechanic that has a press can install the bushing. It's under $15.00 from Honda. Lower control arm is under $130.00 from http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/

 

[MM49]

Bushing can be replaced. As for which control arm to get I strongly suggest OEM if keeping the car for long time.

 

[sodaks2k]

+2 to both posts. The cost of removing and pressing the new bushing should be $30-$50.

 

[boss1111]

Thanks for replies.

I'll try to find mechanic who can replace the bushing for me. Auto shop said it is not doable, whole control arm needs to be replaced. And then quote $265 for the non-oem control arm whereas Honda oem is available for $130.

Does replaced bushing work like new control arm? I mean do it fit like new control arm and have similar running life? any experiences

cheers.

 

[Drew03Accord]

Any mechanic that has a press can install the bushing. It's under $15.00 from Honda. Lower control arm is under $130.00 from http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/

I believe NAPA auto parts might be able to press in the bushing. I'd give them a call and ask.

 

[mobiless2]

Thanks for replies.

I'll try to find mechanic who can replace the bushing for me. Auto shop said it is not doable, whole control arm needs to be replaced. And then quote $265 for the non-oem control arm whereas Honda oem is available for $130.

Does replaced bushing work like new control arm? I mean do it fit like new control arm and have similar running life? any experiences

cheers.

If Honda sells & install item, don't see why it should not work the same. Press in bushings have been around a long time.

 

[sodaks2k]

Does replaced bushing work like new control arm? I mean do it fit like new control arm and have similar running life? any experiences

The control arm is removed from your car. The bushing (in the control arm) is pushed out. The new bushing is pushed in. The control arm is then reinstalled. You still use the same control arm.

 

[CYANiDE]

Yes, replacing the bushings is okay. The control arm is a hunk of metal, so unless there is warping or something insane just replace the bushings. There are stiffer poly bushings available for the lower control arms.

 

[DreaminAccord]

:thumbsdow Sounds like your mechanic is just being lazy

Go to Honda and have a new bushing pressed in, get in your car, and ride away happy at the hundreds you just saved by switching to Honda :banana:

 

[cjy3]

:banana:2006 EX-L ,I4, 199K. I have the same issue but it it on the right side. I just bought the parts today. Bushing $19.40, Sway bar link $18.57,New nuts for link .55 each, Strut fork nut $2.64, Cotter pin for lower ball joint, free. All parts are OEM. That bushing can be replaced for $41.71 and some of your time.:banana:

 

[accordinGB]

Find a machine shop that presses in bearings, does rebuilds, etc. They will press it in for $30 (the cost to press a new bearing in my front wheel hub). Having a stealership do it will cost many times that, and they will end up taking it to a machine shop anyway (if they agree to do it that way at all).

Your mechanic just does not want to take the time and effort. The trade off is that you have to take the time and effort to remove/reinstall the parts. If you cannot afford to have your car laid up for that amount of time, pay the extra for convenience.

 

[Joeggernaut]

You can just buy new control arms for about $30-40 with the bushings already in place. Shop around, there are not hard to find. Plus you are going to want to have new bolts as the ones in the current arms are probably seized. Then it is just a direct bolt in and you don't have to get another alignment since it is the same control arm. The only thing you can really adjust in terms of alignment anyways is the toe with your tie-rods. That is what alignment shops only adjust on our cars.

Plus messing with the bushings takes time and the problem is not really how to press the bushing in, is is getting the old one out.

 

[cjy3]

You can just buy new control arms for about $30-40 with the bushings already in place. Shop around, there are not hard to find. Plus you are going to want to have new bolts as the ones in the current arms are probably seized. Then it is just a direct bolt in and you don't have to get another alignment since it is the same control arm. The only thing you can really adjust in terms of alignment anyways is the toe with your tie-rods. That is what alignment shops only adjust on our cars.

Plus messing with the bushings takes time and the problem is not really how to press the bushing in, is is getting the old one out.

:banana:Cost to have new bushing pressed in $23.oo. $30 to $40 for a front lower control arm with new bushing I think that is wrong. I know because I just replaced one today.:banana:

 

[Joeggernaut]

:banana:Cost to have new bushing pressed in $23.oo. $30 to $40 for a front lower control arm with new bushing I think that is wrong. I know because I just replaced one today.:banana:

aftermarket ones but who cares. It is a piece of metal and rubber. There is not much difference between quality or fitment.

I always go OEM though for electronics. Aftermarket tend to cut corners there. But when it comes to non-moving parts or simple to reproduce I look for aftermarket.

 

[cjy3]

aftermarket ones but who cares. It is a piece of metal and rubber. There is not much difference between quality or fitment.

I always go OEM though for electronics. Aftermarket tend to cut corners there. But when it comes to non-moving parts or simple to reproduce I look for aftermarket.

Autozone sway bar link $35,OEM @$19. Garage wanted to charge me $45 for front bushing from NAPA Part only,OEM @ $18. I think I will stay with OEM parts.:banana:

 

[Joeggernaut]

Autozone sway bar link $35,OEM @$19. Garage wanted to charge me $45 for front bushing from NAPA Part only,OEM @ $18. I think I will stay with OEM parts.:banana:

Yeah of course auto parts stores and garages will price gouge you. I never go there. When I say aftermarket I mean ebay/amazon/internet special.

 

[Watthepho]

So you can replace the bushing without replacing the whole arm right? I went to NTB and had same issue after installing my coilovers. they said the lower control arm needs to be replaced but im trying to see if i could just replace the bushing?

 

[needforaccord]

FYI 8th gen owners: I made the mistake to buy a tool that takes the bushings out with the control arm taken out partialy and therefore taking less time (9CL-11101-42211 Honda Bushing Tool).
Despite the description, it does NOT work for the 8th gen Accords (or TSXs for that matter). The ID of the socket is smaller than the OD of the main lower control arm bushing...

I'm trying to figure out a way to use this tool with some sot PVC pipe instead of the black stell socket they have