Iagent

I am at wits end with trying to get the lower bolts loose. I have even cut the nut off of one side and nothing budges. Any help would be appreciated

Rick
630 497-0191

Here are pics.

Sleep_DEPRIVED_Sleeper

If you have a torch, burn out the rubber bushing. You need to buy a replacement bushing though... i don't think it's too expensive at the dealer. Go to a Honda dealer, usually cheaper than Acura... Ask for 97 Accord bushing...

$peed])emon

haha shit, samething happened to me. use your angle grinder and cut the bolt between the strut and bushing. do it on both sides. after that, you should be able to take the strut out. now you are left with the messed up bolt and bushing. tow it to a shop or buy those bushings and attempt to replace it your self. its very hard but i managed to do it myself with a bench vise. check out my thread on this similar topic.:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188904

$peed])emon

and this thread too

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/i-am-thinking-number-188863/

you should buy 2 bushings and 2 bolts in advance so you can get to work.

Iagent

Okay, saw your thread, and felt your misery.

Could you tell me what you used to punch out the metal ring on the outside of that bushing?

I have a pair of them bushings and bolts on order. I'm driving my backup CL (my daughters car) right now since she doesn't need it due to the fact that she doesn't even have her license yet. I bought it for her because I wanted a second CL in the family, but after today, I'm wondering.
Thanks,
Rick
BTW those bolts are made of serious metal doncha think. It was eating up Cobalt drill bts like nothing.

Dan3952

Torch.. rent what you don't have.. one of the Benz-O-Matics (like for plumbing) might not be a hot enough flame. Don't dispair.. There's worse things that could be wrong with the car than this.. I paid an extra hour in labour on each side to have this done two weeks ago. Apply some anti seize to some of the other bolts as well when you are done.

[QUOTE=Iagent]I am at wits end with trying to get the lower bolts loose. I have even cut the nut off of one side and nothing budges. Any help would be appreciated

$peed])emon

first, i used a plumbling torch to melt the rubber. then i used a screwdriver to push out the center piece that holds the bolt in place. do all this outside cuz it stinks.

second, after everything was cooled off, i used a hack saw with a metal blade to cut the outer ring. try not to cut too much into the knuckle, or it will make installation of the new bushings painful.


a tip: when using a hack saw, remove the blade then put the blade through the hole in the knuckle and then reattach the blade to the hack saw so that the saw could hang from the hole. it will be easier to cut the metal ring like that. sorry if you dont understand what im trying to say but it will make sense when you try to do it.

third, use a chisel and start banging out the metal ring. try hitting it close to where you made your cut so it pops out faster/easier.

fourth, the bushing and metal ring should be out by now. just sand down and clean the area for installation of the new bushing. if you cut too far into the knuckle try to sand it down flat.

fifth, lube the knuckle

sixth, this is the hard part. i used a bench vise, 27 mm socket, and 2 pieces of wood. i used the 27 mm socket to "push" the bushing into place so i dont rip the new rubber bushing. then on the other side i placed 2 pieced of wood so that the bushing could be fully "pressed" in, because they stick out abit. this should be easier foru you becaue you have your knuckle out, i didnt

seventh, put your knuckle back on your car and put on your struts.

eighth, send me the 100 bux you saved on labour to me throught paypal ;p


if you have any other questions, just post. ill try to answer them clearly for you.

Iagent

Thanks man.

As far as labor goes, I lost big time on this one. I should be working rather than beating my metal lol.

Thanks for the tips
Now I just need to decide whether to rework the side that is still installed on the car, or pull it like this one.

I think I will leave my other 97 CL at factory ride height for a while.

Iagent

Found a nice tool at the local Auto Parts store. I pressed the bushing out, and the other side I also pressed out and even on the car. What a difference a day makes. Now to just wait for the new bushings to arrive.

Sleep_DEPRIVED_Sleeper

what is the name of the tool and how much?

Iagent

My local Murrays auto parts store loans the tools out. However they sell it for $99 as that's what is on my card until I bring it back.





The tool for my springs, I had to buy since the loaner was too bulky for the tight Honda springs.

Palayah8ta

wow thats one rusted ass car.. is that from the snow?

GCaps

Iagent

Yeah, that's how they look here in Chicago. And I sprayed the sald off of the bottom pretty often.