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2002 civic control arm bushing


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dr.donut
User

Nov 19, 2016, 10:22 AM

Post #1 of 9 (1765 views)
2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

Putting snow tires on the 02 civic with a 1.7 and 230k on the dial , had the drivers front tire off and decided to check out the foremost lower control arm bushing . I supported the frame and put the jack under the arm to raise it . It raised at least a 1/4" before the frame moved up . Is this too much play ? I would think any amount is too much for that joint .


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 19, 2016, 10:59 AM

Post #2 of 9 (1762 views)
Re: 2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

Wheel fell off? While driving? What the heck happened to the brake parts and hub? Here a new one with both bushings for the arm..........

This doesn't include sway bar link, ball joint just FYI from that place. You can get just bushings but have to be in more trouble than just one,


Depending now on right where you were checking 1/4" is way too much. If that's still in place it didn't cause wheel to come off unless it took all those parts with it if it was on properly.


Need also to check wheel, hub and lugs - all of it - BOTH sides and rear too in fact make a whole inspection list on this thing if that control arm is that loose no telling what else is wrong,


T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 19, 2016, 11:07 AM)


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Nov 19, 2016, 12:11 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1750 views)
Re: 2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

The front bushing on the control arm will have some up and down play. Make sure the rubber isn't ripped or torn. You shouldn't be able to move the front of the control arm and up down by hand. It is common for that style of control arm bushing to go bad allowing the control arm to rest on the frame when you jack up the vehicle.

The rear bushing shouldn't have any play in or out or up and down.





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(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 19, 2016, 12:14 PM)


dr.donut
User

Nov 19, 2016, 9:31 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1739 views)
Re: 2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

I thought it looked wimpy , a little uneven wear on one tire so yeah ball joints , that bushing and those double jointed sway links ? ? .They are good cars and this one isn't rotted at all . Can't drive it through winter improper , not the way I might drive .


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 19, 2016, 10:23 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1736 views)
Re: 2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

Sorry - I keep reading your first post and see somehow the wheel FELL off but you seem to be checking it - great. As DS said some motion on the larger is expected but matters how you checked it or were precisely hoisting from. IDK - I'd pry around on bushings. Some motion of course but NOT any for ball joints or tie rod ends.


Uneven wear? Indicates a problem if you know that tire came from that wheel for a while.


A responsible alignment job should be checking all these things even tire pressure is correct and tire wear and size before aligning a car. At least one would hope so or provide a check list.


Point is that periodic job should be checking the safety and condition of all things that could effect that and if worn the job couldn't really be done so is proof of things being OK.


Do know where to pry or how to check joints where pressure and weight has to be,


T



dr.donut
User

Nov 21, 2016, 8:35 AM

Post #6 of 9 (1721 views)
Re: 2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

I didn't have time to check things out that day and I have a good idea of what carries the weight and stresses and what should and shouldn't move around , I'll be back on line if I'm not sure . Never had any foreign car before , I've put a lot of miles on it already and the gas money alone ,vs the truck with a V8 , is worth it to me . I bought it from a mechanic and he just did the inspection so I don't think any wheels will come off before I get to it .


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 21, 2016, 9:21 AM

Post #7 of 9 (1719 views)
Re: 2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

More for checking ball joints you want to hold the weight by the control arm outermost NOT the body as the pressure down from a hanging wheel would take up noticeable free-play.


McPherson (sp?) struts type designs are in many assorted vehicles not just foreign named. The forces on the bushings of an "A" framed control arm are both some weight, some from holding the wheel from coming outwards from the bottom and in FWD for this hold the wheel from going forward or to the rear with forces of power, braking and doing so while under assorted loads of weight.


Those do flex some, the exact time to be concerned you should see with minimal prying or them falling apart perhaps?


You also have some high miles so about anything could have wear exceeding any limits so worth knowing,


T



dr.donut
User

Nov 21, 2016, 1:24 PM

Post #8 of 9 (1706 views)
Re: 2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

I see . I was told to check if the front struts are bad to go into a corner fast and see how it handles , turn into the corner a little tighter and see if it "dives" . There must be a better way .


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 21, 2016, 2:11 PM

Post #9 of 9 (1704 views)
Re: 2002 civic control arm bushing Sign In

NO!
A total strut is all of the spring that maintains ride height, a shock absorber like any works, lower ball joint on some and twists at top on yet another bushing set up.


For just shock absorption checking just bounce down on the fenders one by one. Should quit any motion and return to full height instantly when you stop.


Ball joints are checked by supporting lower control arms by the arm and pry up with wheel on no slop there and best if you watch the joint so hard to do alone if marginal. If you hoisted just the body seam and checked a ball joint could be tight from the spring.


Real best way to know is get the thing aligned at a reputable shop. Everything gets checked - tire pressure, wear of all suspension and steering parts and if tire wear will play a factor. You really can't do a decent alignment if all isn't correct which means it's good - ask specifically if need be but shouldn't have to.


You should get a printed report that all is right and within specs when done. Enough


Enough miles and roads suk as we know to need this now and then anyway IMO and it's part of doing an alignment or you get a notice it can't be done without XYZ parts being fixed/replaced,


T


T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 21, 2016, 2:13 PM)






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