[s-cars] Rear susp bushings....to replace or not to?

[Aaron Ryba]

So I am in the middle of tearing apart the rear suspension to install H$R & Bilstein sports. I did purchased all new bushings however it looks like most all of them will be a PITA to remove & replace . I don't have much of a shop, no press except the 5" vise I just bought. I though I might be able to press them in & out with a large hand held ball joint press but that's not going to work. 

The existing bushings all look good and besides the  bad OE shocks there was no clunking or improper tire wear. Alignment was achievable also.

I have the trap arms & hubs out however it looks like another PITA to get the rear subframe crossmember out with the parking cable running through it and all.

The question is while I have the ass end all apart now is it worth it to replace all these bushings if they seem to be in decent shape? It will be 75% of the trouble for the whole job and maybe only 5% of the difference in the performance upgrade.

I was going to have a machine shop press in new rear bearings and I was thinking I could have them do all the metal collared bearings. Is that asking to much though? Bentley has some very specific instructions about installing some of these bearings. 

Car has 140k miles.

Also, I have new rear bearings to have a shop press in but the circlip seems frozen in there. Any BTDTs?

Thanks,
Aaron Ryba




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