Honda Element/CRV Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Replacement -EricTheCarGuy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 พ.ย. 2015
- While doing a brake job one day, I noticed that the front bushings on the lower control arms of my 2004 Honda element were torn. At first I thought I was going to have to replace both lower control arms until I found out the bushings were available through Honda. Replacing them was something of a challenge, but it can save you quite a bit of money if you decide to just replace the bushings. Fair warning though, you could be in for a fight.
This information will also apply to CRV's of the same vintage.
Camera: Brian Kast
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Tools
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Ear Plugs: www.jbtoolsales.com/sas-safety...
Air Hammer with bushing cutter set: www.jbtoolsales.com/aircat-510...
Angle Die Grinder Kit: www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-871...
Wire Wheel Set: www.jbtoolsales.com/performanc...
Zep Penetrating Oil: www.zepautomotive.com/product/...
Honda Bushings
Inner Bushings: 51392-S5A-701: www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/...
Front Bushings Set: 04513-SCV-000: www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/...
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Not gonna lie Eric, watching you struggle is extremely entertaining to me. Watching you finally win the battle is satisfying as hell! I think anyone that has worked on cars or motorcycles can relate to the all day struggle of man versus metal!
+BadShadd1 It is encouraging to see that the mighty ETCG also struggles with stubborn parts.
BadShadd1 not enough bleeding knuckles tho
I think many of us driveway mechanics who will normally only encounter a job once or twice, imagine it's almost always plain sailings, for the professional that is. Watching a professional hit the same problems we do, and more importantly how they overcome them is refreshing. You watch this stuff on TV it is sanitized, and edited. I know I learn more this way.
Thanks for all you do Eric! Have fun at Sema...
Best comment ever! So true to reality! Glad to see even a professional can run into hang ups on, what should be, rather easy jobs.
You gotta love how honest and unedited Eric's vids are mistakes or not.
About halfway through this video, new control arms are looking pretty good to me. Haha
Once you add up the price of the individual bushings and your time is cheaper to buy a whole lower control arm
"I make these mistakes so you don't have to" this is what I like about this guy's vids.. he does it REAL. No hiding things that are hard to do like most DO TO videos and missing out steps that are going to stop another person. he shows it, he talks about it. thank you. And after watching this Video.. I'll leave this one for someone else to do on my car. so I learned a lot.
Thanks Eric. This video convinced me to buy a lower control arm with fresh bushings and ball joint already installed :-)
lmao :)
You lazy sack!
Heh, for my car the entire control arm with bushings and ball joint costs all of 69 euros :D Just the time spent in knocking the old ones out would be more than the price of the arm.
Exactly, I just ordered both left and right control arms after watching this. What a hassle, even with all these correct tools. But I appreciate the great instructions.
Thats a lot of work..just buy the control arm with every thing..in it.
today on ETCG, Eric drops many many things :-)
I miss your prime years on this channel Eric, timeless videos which will be helpful for many years to come. Glad you 'made it' and found well earned success
Eric, god bless your soul man. Honestly the amount of patience that you have when things arent going your way just baffles me. If it was me i would have threw it against a wall, used the impact cursing my ass off, set it on fire, put it on the car and purposely totaled it for the amount of freakin fraustration it has put me through. I have to say i wish I wish I had the amount of patience you have on some of my customers beat up, rusted up; duct tape together p.o.s cars. I kid you not sometimes certain cars make me want to cry. I am a mobile mechanic so I work out of my car until I can save enough to have my own shop.. and I wish i had some of the tools you have. I have to rely on cordless impact guns, strenth, pipes and most of all cursing and watching youtube videos. I applaude you man. Bravo.
Whenever I see a video that has a two minute montage of Eric progressively leveraging in more and more impact tools you know it's gonna be entertaining. Then he finally resorts to the nuclear option of "let's cut it out". Classic.
Great episode. Thanks for including the mess ups. It really shows everyone what to expect when tackling the same job. -John
This demonstrates the skills Eric has, the average Mechanic would just buy the new control arm to save time which would probably be more economical in a busy shop, but that would not show us how it can be done for someone who has plenty of time to work on their own car and has the tools, you are a real professional Eric with mechanical and video skills, the best on TH-cam in my opinion.
I just got done doing this job on a 03 CRV. I used a drill to get out the rubber bushing and then a hack saw to cut the sleeve. She popped out with a couple light taps after that. Love the vids eric.
Honda now sells ball joint boots separately for these vehicles (both upper and lower) so you don't have to replace the whole ball joint. Easy to install and way cheap!
Thanks Eric for this valuable and helpful guide. Hoping to see you back online one day. Many blessing to you.
It's nice to see I'm not the only one who's run into major roadblocks trying to get a recalcitrant bushing out of a Honda control arm. Makes me feel a little less like an idiot. :D
Not gonna lie. It’s pretty encouraging to see you wrestle with this. Took me a whole day to get 2 to press and I thought it was just me.
..I’m doing bushing installs for a new rear subframe on a modern Durango, and to press them in, here’s what i ended up doing. rental set cup/sleeves weren’t big enough. Thusly introducing field ingenuity and there began the creative process and approaches similar to what remotely deployed field technicians need to implement -> I ended up using the long rod bolt, spacer disc and nut from the kit on the bottom. Up top (for the empty subframe corner) *here’s where it gets interesting* i used an old giant rear (drum in hat 🎩) brake rotor and cut the center hub hole out bigger to match the bushing size.. with a steel plate with a hole in the middle bridged across. Then finally used one of the cup sleeves and top disc - for added hight - with the top impact spindle nut (that has a ball bearing ring and double washer / ball track rings for friction reduction.. i held that low nut and impact blasted the top. The spacers and steel plate held against the rotor disc while the rod and bushing were pulled, through the subframe and into the rotor drum space -> and there we have it…
What a great contribution Eric has made to us students of auto repair. Thanks Eric.
Great video, and the “die, gas pumper” reference from The Jerk was most appreciated.
Just a little FYI: The compliance bushings on my '05 Pilot were showing wear but the lower ball joint and the other front lower control bushing were perfectly fine(unlike the CRV and Element the lower ball joint on the 1st Gen Pilots is attached to the lower arm and isn't replaceable). I have just over 200K on the Pilot but the ball joints are still extremely tight so there was no need to scrap the entire lower arm due to worn-out compliance bushings. I picked up a pair of Honda OEM compliance bushings on Amazon for a great price and then picked up the KTC Tools Honda bushing tool on ebay for $50 shipped. I applied some moly grease to big bolt on the tool and it effortlessly pushed out the old bushings and pushed in the new ones. I mention this because the tool also works on '02-'06 CRV's...any Honda which uses the 65mm bushing. Counting the cost of the tool the job only set me back around $100 and my time. Keep in mind Eric also replaced the smaller bushing and in his admission he stated it really wasn't necessary and he only did it to show what was involved. I honestly was pleasantly surprised how easily the tool handled those large compliance bushings...no stress to the large bolt whatsoever as far as I could tell...no flex or grinding.
The bushing that gave the most trouble is easily removed with this..Schley Products Honda/Acura Front Compliance Bushing R&R Tool (SLY-68100). About $140. It worked for the front control arms and also helped with doing the rear trailing arm bushings as well. $140 was a bargain since we have 2 Elements, a Pilot, Accord and a Fit in our family. They will all need this sooner or later. Kudos to Eric, I've learned a ton from you!
God bless you, Eric, very helpful. You can't do bushings without a press, folks - I tried hard and 24" breaker bar didn't do it. Had to get 12 ton press from harbor Freight for $99 and it was easy except the pushing it back in. Bent first bushing, but second one went OK after watching Eric's step to push with the press on the high crooked side. Thank you, Eric!
Thats what i love about Eric's videos, he shows his mistakes so we can learn from them! Great video Eric!Keep up the good work.
You make a great point in this video -- all this is possible and could be fun, but even with a spacious shop, a lift, powerful air tools, and a shop press, it was a challenge for a seasoned mechanic. I think if I undertook this at home in my garage on jackstands with hand tools, it would be an entire day filled with frustration and despair. I am getting to the point where replacing assemblies is more appealing and cost-effective than replacing components. I think I will replace the entire arm. Thank you!
Great video! Just did a similar repair to this on my '05 CR-V and just wanted to add a bit of info. The OEM stabilizer links have a little hole at the end for a hex key to hold it in place while you put a wrench or open end socket on it, so you don't have to ruin the links to disconnect them.
Struggling to solve the problem, and getting it back together only to realize you messed up and have to do it all again is the worst. I did a rear bearing this year and had to undo it all because I forgot to put the dust shield on first. Some times I ask myself if it's worth the cost. Unfortunately, the answer is always yes, and I keep on wrenching. Thanks for the great videos, and making mistakes so I don't have to.
Reality TV right here. It can never be as real as this with mechanics and DIYers as well! This is why Eric is the man! Thanks Eric!
Thanks Eric. What great is that I have the same year Element. I recently watched your video on the stabilizer link repair , because of the same symptoms. What I found is that what made the links fail is that the passenger side strut mount bushing broke . Thus putting all the stress on the links. What lead me to this video is that while doing the repair I noticed how bad the control arm bushings are. After watching your video I feel super confident that the job will be a snap. No pun intended. Thanks again
ERIC I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the exact same car as me and for being a mechanic that likes to work on cars as well as does an excellent job of filming every aspect of your projects I can say for certain watching you has saved me a lot of time and head aches not to mention you have given me courage to do things that I would have procrastinated on for ever. You have a knack for taking the most difficult approach which is very educational. You HID lighting video for example was epic.
You the man Eric! We appreciate your honesty, and didn’t edit the video.
Changing just bushings is a job that most people only do once. Putting the bushings in the freezer definitely helps shrink them for easier installation.
Using a hole saw to cut out the inside of the bushing then carefully making a notch in the outside of the bushing with a Dremel is the fastest way to remove them if you don't have a C clamp kit or press.
Personally, I just budget for new control arms but I do appreciate the reminder of how stubborn those things can be when trying to save money.
That looked like it just wasn't your mechanical day man. Keep up the good work! I've been watching your videos for years now and its always interesting and educating.
Thanks man!
Great video. It's nice to see mechanics that actually show the problems they run into.
There's always problems and I want to see them so I know what I'm getting into and it was a fantastic video thank you.
Thanks, I just ordered the lower control arm w/bushings.
Eric, The ball joints looked tight and replacing only the rubber is also an option for around $8.00. The parts are readily available on Amazon or E-Bay and will save you much disassembly of the Rotor assembly, etc. Bought myself a Harbor Freight 20 Ton press and its a joy to change bearings with it. I go to Auto Zone to get the Bearing removal kit, then return it so I don't have to own that tool.
I just changed the upper and lower control arm bushings on my tacoma from stock rubber to urethane, and I ended up having to heat up the rubber with a torch and press the center of the bushing out with a ball joint kit like the one in your video. I had to leave the steel sleeves in the control arms so that the urethane could sit in them so I had to take a burr and grid out the rest of the rubber once it had cooled off.... SUCH A PAIN... though next time I need to replace the bushings all i have to do is pull off the arm and slide the bushing out and slide a new one in. easy peasy. Anyways... good work Eric. thanks for the vids and keep kicking ass.
I actually get happy and can't wait to get home when I see a new ETC video in the timeline :)
Hi Eric,
love your videos with all the straight hard facts good and bad. Good to see that you can self critique without just editing it out. Gives us, the end users, a real life measuring stick on the difficulty level involved. Many thanks and for producing these informative videos!
hey Eric, in that kit there is a an adaptor to take out the one-sided bushing out so you don't have to damage the whole control arm with your various tool investments.. oh and viewers never use an impact wrench on Bush removing tools to reduce thread wear
so many mechanics on youtube just use editing to jump ahead - past the hard parts to the finish line. and i learn so much more by seeing the process and experimentation; and watching while you make mistakes and think out loud. thank you - your therapist would be proud! "you were very vulnerable Eric and i think we made real progress here today. see you next week then?" :)
OMG this is every repair for me! Thank you for all that you do and for just being real, it absolutely makes all the difference.
I’m on a bushing, strut, ball joint, and suspension video watching binge!!!! Way to go Eric on posting these videos; they’re keeping me sane through this coronavirus pandemic! :-)
Thank you Eric. I am having to do this this coming weekend. (the easy way, replacing the whole control arm) I also have to replace the ball joints. Well you know what that means, I have to remove the steering knuckle. I hope that I can press it out and press the new one in. I have noticed that not all kits come with the retaining clip and wondered whether it was necessary. I guess I should have said it is a 2003 Honda CR-V. I hope you are getting things done that you wanted to during this period and look for to the next generation of videos in the near future.
Eric, Thanks for the helpful video. This video was the deciding factor, I went with the complete lower control arm assembly and I was much easier than the battle you had replacing the bushings. A little more money a lot less headache.
ERIC!!!!!!!!
Haven't you told us many times in the past, to always mark down the orientation of the old bushing before removing it so you know how to install it? Or were you too excited about getting to play with your new toys? LOL
it was just a senior-moment
👍🏼
Eric your timing is amazing... I had my '06 CRV at the dealership for service on Saturday and they showed me where the fronts were in the process of tearing, so I may be looking at doing this in the not too distant future. Great info, as always!
The job is simple to do mate 👍
Bro that looked like hard work and you had all the tools and experience. I've got not much of either so I will if required I will take your advice and buy the whole control arm. Thanks muchly for all the effort it takes to make these videos.
You're a hard worker so 👏👏👏.
enjoyed the video. there are a lot of good tips. Unfortunately when I did the passenger side I installed them in the opposite order. It made aligning the front bushing a royal pain. Live and learn. Thanks Eric.
Eric is the truth and I love how he tries the hard way even though he doesn't need to for us poor folk. Thanks for everything I've learned from you.
That is an honest auto tech that actually tells ya if it is really worth doing it cheap or not....
Keep up the good work, Eric. And that is the correct installment of a front lower control arm for a Macpherson front end, rather than the bad mechanic one (cheating in installation).
hi eric! I've followed you for years, great work again... I had to change my bushings on Honda pilot. by the time I would have got bushings n ball joints. then press out, mind I don't have the shop.... I had found moog brand A arms on line with new bushings n ball joints. great price n free shipping. it was like 10 or 15 dollars more per side, but no special tools, press, shops needed.
Yes, it's easier to replace the control arm, but most after market control arm bushings probably won't last long. Plus the steel/engineering/dimensions from the OEM ones are much better.
OEM Honda parts are worth it. The originals last almost forever, and so will the new part.
Thanks for excellent instructions and a nice organized clean service area! I am looking at getting upper control arm and ball joints for 2000 Honda CRV front and I am not a happy camper! Thru Pep Boys!
thx eric u are a youtube allstar! u have saved me so much money on repairs. Keep up the good work!
Great video!! That seemed like a slight battle!! I'm glad I just got the whole new uppers on my ford truck when it needed ball joints. Already assembled with the new ball joint and bushings.
Awesome video. I realized I'm never going to replace pushing the minute I saw Eric painfully working on that first one lol. Then he read my mind at the end of the video
I had to do the front bushings on my car, it ended up being only about €20 more expensive to get both control arms instead of just the bushings, so it was well worth installing all new arms to save the effort of having to replace the bushings.
I think this is the best video to guide me on how to change the lower control arms on my 05 crv. Plus You Erick give us details on how to do it and why to do it like that. Like why to tight the bushing while the car is on the ground. I bet mechanic shops dont want to spend more time on the car and they just do it while the car is up on the lift, cuz they just want to be done with the job and dont care if the bushings have more pressure than what they need to. Best videos ever from you. I have a questions about a subaru engine that i am swaping and engine, but i will finf a video of a subaru from you and i will ask the questions there. Thank you.
Kidding aside in my last comment, I do love watching you work!
Heat the control arm slightly and put the bushings in the freezer for half an hour and they go in easier. Coming out, the bushing will slide out if you have the right insert which is available with the kit rented from Auto Zone. I bought a 20 ton press to accomplish this project on my HOnda 2007 SC. Note Many parts on the Element SC are different from the CRV and the Element LX and EX.
You are the best. I thought no no he forgot to orientate the bush....but then you fessed up to doing it wrong and showing the fix. Awesome honesty and great work. Used your site heaps. Thanks from Oz
A warren county plate, that's sick. I'm from Waynesville, I just started watching you not too long ago and didn't know that. That's awesome man!
Well thank you Eric for convincing me to just replace the whole control arm 😅
those control arms from Honda are $$$. having the means and know-how to replace just the bushings is huge.
I replaced the trailing arm bushings on my pathfinder, had to take the whole thing out, air hammer the old bushings out and press the new ones in. Took a couple of hours but my car doesn't wobble anymore so I'm still alive, which is nice.
Working on so many neglected early model cars like I have- parts like *@**17:11* are very common. Nothing comes apart easy. I feel your pain, Eric!
I did mine the other day on my jazz, found it so much easier after some heat ! Also you should leave nut loose on the thread on ball joint so if you miss with hammer while breaking the ball joint taper
You do not damage the end of the thread ! I'm guessing you knew that ??/ keep up the good work Eric,
Thanks Eric........you make all of us mechanical guys smile.....cuz we know.......lol........and since I just got an 08 Element.....I for one really appreciate your vids........cheers !!!
Just took my car to inspection and it failed due to the same flat bushing featured in this video. Thank you Eric for making the mistake's you make so I don't have to.
7:19 Yes, it was harder than it needed to be. Did the control, arm bushings on my '01 PT Cruiser and when I noticed how hard it could be to remove the horizontal bushing and that it was intact anyway, I just left the old one in there. It's still in there to this day after 150,000 miles. Sometimes it is best not to be a perfectionist and to leave well enough alone.
Man, that rear bushing makes you question everything bahahaha pushed the center out(I have the same kit) then cut it with my sawzall...went a little too far but I'm not worried about it, I'm pooped gonna do the front on the press at work, THANK YOU ERIC!
Eric, Your voice and explanation is awesome!!
had to do this on my TSX about a year ago. Moog sells the whole arm and new bushings in place for a lil over the cost of getting the three bushings I needed and pressing them in and out manually.
i know this was posted a long time a go but i appreciate the video it helped make switching my control arms fast and easy, my first time ever doing it and i did them both in a hours without a lift but i put brand new arms in, i was planning on pressing the bushings out myself until i seen this video lol
This just reminds me to buy the control arm with bushings...
Yeah that's what i'm going to do much easier
I'm doing this job on my Element as we speak. "That was a lot harder than it needed to be" describes my experience as well.
Eric, thanks for the detailed info, good to see the parts before starting the job. cheers, Andy
Thanks, Eric. Another great E fix that's keeping me on the road!
Since that Eric has his lift the show should be called "EricTheMuscledCarGuy" XD Always trying to force something on lol
Those compliance bushings are notorious for failing (my ride is 04 TL 6MT). I once changed mine with OEM and it was starting to crack only after 20,000+ miles/2 years. I replaced them with PCI's all-metal bearing-type bushing and it improved handling as well (a hefty $300 for 3G TL but well worth it if you plan to keep your Honda/Acura for a long time). I use the OEM bushing as removal/installation tool (heat & melt the rubber and use the metal part as a driving tool).
I replaced the stabilizer link rods with MOOG, which come with grease fittings and are not as poorly designed as the OEM (the OEMs come with allen key hole which of course rusts out and becomes useless during removal).
When I remove LWR/UPR ball joints, I use Honda ball joint separator tools to avoid damage. Forget OEM steel cotter pins, I use stainless steel pins I get at True Value.
Rubber parts, in general, are known to start deteriorating after about 5 years. I do my bushings at every 10 years/100,000 miles unless damaged/deteriorated. I do ALL of them when I replace suspension bushings.
Honda/Acura sells a can of spray type silicone lube, which is extremely handy in winter (spray the hell out of the under-carriage [except the engine, CAT or whatever gets hot] once/week in winter where salt is used on the road).
Hi Eric, thank you for this video! I had a garage about a year ago fit lowering springs and I said at the time they must torque down the bolts with the car's weight loaded down on the suspension. Well they didn't which I saw when I fitted coilovers last weekend. So I have upper and lower wishbone bushings to replace, is your method applicable to all suspension bushes? The ones I have to replace are rubber on the outside with a metal tube in the middle... One other question, as I don't have your set up torquing up the bolts after is dam near impossible on the ground so I was thinking if I loaded up the suspension with two trolley jacks lifting the car slightly off of the jack stands and then cranking the bolts down would that suffice?
Getting ready to do this on my 04 MDX - thank you for the excellent video!
Your the best simply because you've got charisma! The older I get I hate vehicles in general.Btw those Honda Elements are very versatle vehicles! I know one for sale right now, same color as this one.
I feel very lucky in the fact that one of TH-cam's best car mechanics also owns my vehicle!!
yes I did this job on my 2003 accord. same exact setup. lucky I bought whole new arms as you said I don't have the tools you do.
problem for my I had to cut out one of the bolts as it seized in the bushing. not fun.
can you recommend a die set? I slipped and ruined my lower ball joint thread and had to replace it as well since I couldn't find a dye in time.
01 odyssey. At highway speed the van veers right when foot taken off accelerator. The steering wheel a actually ticks slightly left when this happens. Then the van corrects itself when accelerator is pressed again. And goes back to straight.
There is tiny tie-rod play both sides. Tires have even wear.
Van cluncks front left when accelerating after coming to a complete stop.
Front and upper right motor mounts were just replaced.
My nephew replaced both struts and springs about a month ago.
Passrnger side vertical control arm bushing has some cracking.
Van has 191,000 miles. All rubber suspension bushings were replaced at 135,000. Plus motor and tranny mounts.
2:55 FINALLY a manufacturer stops trying to piss off us mechanics and puts the dam nut on the bottom away from the c.v. shaft!
7:52 Hitting the control arm where the bushing goes through can help brake it loose and move it along if the impact (Or ratchet/breaker bar) you're using to drive it through loads up enough that it's obviously not moving. Many of those ball joint drivers implicitly state not to use an impact on them in the instructions so hitting the control arm can help. Same with installation.
I've done control arm bushings on several different vehicles and have another job doing that coming up on my dakota. I've noticed that installing aftermarket polyurethane bushings tends to be just as bad as stock but give a better ride and longer life. I prefer them in my own vehicles.
22:00 If you have a situation where the bolt is fused inside the bushing, sometimes the only option is to cut it. I only recommend that if you don't have a captured nut and can get o.e.m. replacement hardware though as they usually don't use standard bolt sizes; at least on the vehicles where I've had that problem.
Aren't bushings fun?
+hellcat1988 Wait until you have to change one of those ball joints. They're a pain in ... a certain part of your body. There's a reason Eric didn't replace them then even with a lift.
I've done it before and you have to take the knuckle completely off the car. Then put 300 bucks into deposits to rent the "free" rental press(150) AND the separate set of adapters(another 150) that has the one you need in it.
Co Jones
I have a ball joint press, but not the adapters. I've noticed though, over many years of doing ball joints BEFORE I got the tool that you can get the old ones out without the press if you really want to. Hammers and chisels and punches and drills and a hell of a lot of effort might be required, but it can be done. I've done a few ball joints on other vehicles where a press might have come in handy but I didn't have one yet.
The ball joints on that don't look like they'd be that much more difficult than ones that I've already had to deal with in the past with my navajoke.
I'm breaking a sweat just watching, Eric.
Anyhow, Thanks!
Love to watch your chanel. I always feel like I got the real info I'm looking for and can trust you.
I found this video to be immensely satisfying. Thank you.
Really appreciate your effort to educate us , thanks Eric
“You sure you want to do this for a living kids” (23:50) lol I had to laugh I actually wanted to pursue a career in automobile technology and mechanics after getting my first good used car and actually changing the headlights on my own (easy task btw hahahaah) but overall after looking at the engine and seeing how a car works. It’s awesome! Then after watching this video. It is a TONNNN of labor intensive work. Especially if you don’t have the tools like a pro automechanic has. Hmm although if I DID have all the tools. And a good skill set. Then yea for sure! I would do it! I love cars! The engineering that goes behind them is amazing human feats. I’ve seen your channel before but I think this is the first time I’ve seen you really put a TON of effort. And I agree with what you said. It may as well be better to replace the whole thing. Unless if someone was seriously broke and had a super low budget it’s understandable. I came through to this video because I’m always worried that the control arms or sway bars on my car, could someday break from too violent hits on a pot whole or overall bad roads. I’m curious. And hopefully you can respond Eric the car guy, just how tough are the suspension systems on these cars?
And how much of an estimate would be if say we wanted to replace the ENTIRE suspension? Sway bars, lower control arms. The struts. Maybe even the tie rods etc I know it wouldn’t be cheap but what would be the reasonable amount? And say for these Honda elements, what would be a total cost for a complete new suspension.
Not for a Honda, but for a smaller car: sway bar 130, sway bar bushings 25, sway bar links (drop links) 30, control arms with bushings and ball joints 150, tie rods and hardware 80, struts 150, springs 40, strut hardware (pinch bolts and nuts, boots, bump stops, disc plates, top mounts and bearings) 150, and all various nuts and bolts that sometimes must be replaced by spec ~50-100 depending on availability (older cars might get more expensive due to lack of stock). So that right about 805 - 855 for a full rebuild, provided you have all the tools needed. If you also do the CV axles, you can add another 150 for the parts and another 50 if you don't have the special tool.
For a bigger car, it's probably about 50 % extra, so around 1200 - 1500. Some cars have far more expensive OE-spec parts, so it could get even more costly. My wife's Honda Jazz is a small car, but has *really* expensive parts, even with good availability of parts.
As for toughness. Normal sudden potholes might be just a big shock, but if you are unlucky, they can knock your alignment off and you'll have to get the steering aligned for about 80. But a huge pothole *can* damage your suspension. The most likely case is that your spring will crack/split. You can still drive the car carefully, but you should change the spring ASAP, as it is dangerous and unpredictable to drive. Bushings and links wear out quite quickly even in normal use, but they are cheap and easy (usually) to fix, except for the control arm bushings. But replacing the entire control arm with included pre-installed bushings and ball joint is fairly cheap and easy. You'll notice it is time when your car starts to clunk when going in rough/bumpy roads. Most likely either the sway bar links or the bushings themselves are going out. Sometimes the ball joint in the control arm.
You pulled off a Monty Python reference AND and "the jerk" reference in one video...nicely done
Eric, I am not a pro mechanic, i am a diy (engineer) on my own vehicle, since it is your vehicle 1. why dont you use antiseize to re assemble and avoid future lockups. 2. give the parts a light paint touch up to remove rust or wire brush it and put oil minimum. 3. use the press more I do it for those parts. again you are the pro !!!!
I enjoy your vids, they’re unedited, explanatory and full of mechanics mistakes. I would have use the press to get them out, one just have to align the cups right.
Yes! Finally you are using ear protection also. Good job! :)
this video is useful with 01-05 Honda Civics as well! suspension is set up the same way
Day in the life of a mechanic 😄
No wonder us homegamers struggle like a muth fuga sometimes when we encounter similar issues but have a 10th of the tools at our disposal. Every DIY dude has encountered that seized part that takes an extra day or 2 to butcher out due to the lack of tools and knowledge 👊👊
thanks eric for many tutorial videos, I have 2007 Honda crv lower arm bracket front compliance there is looks like bolt is that removal or need puller to remove the rubber boot please any videos or explain how to remove . Thanks.
one small note here as I tried this years ago. installed energy systems polyurethane bushings instead of figuring out how to press those bushings back in. When I get ready to do this again I will take Erics route because honda oem is way better than the aftermarket crap. Just going out and buying a new control arm is actually not as good. Eric installed the HONDA BUSHINGS! New aftermarket control arms are made by doorman! Not sure if anybody else makes them.