Honda lower control arm bushing replacement using ball joint remover install kit: 2003 Accord

I demonstrate Honda lower control arm bushing replacement, using a ball joint remover install kit. The rear and outer lower control arm bushings are removed and pressed in on a 2003 Honda Accord using the universal ball joint remover/install kit. The video shows how to change control arm bushings.
This video does not detail the removal of the lower control arm from the vehicle, that procedure can be found in this earlier video: • Front lower control ar...
Get the ball joint/bushing press set on Amazon: amzn.to/3sKCSXX
Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission from purchases made through the links above.

[@trancextend]

Wow!! Finally found a proper video for this annoying bushings. One question thou. These sleeves have to touch the metal bot pushing out and in, right?

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Yep. The sleeves have to go over the circumference of the metal part of the bushing. Thanks for the compliment!

[@trancextend]

@@DIYAutoworksNG alright, thanks.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

You're welcome

[@schifoso]

The compliance bushing seems to fail more, and it's a bit harder to find the press kit parts that fit.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

You're spot on. I go those that have a press for that one.

[@adegbiteolalekan9744]

I need this instrument

[@MisledDan]

I tried using the same type of kit for my truck's control arm bushings but none of the adapters would fit the outer sleeves... either too small or too big. It did work great for however for the ball joints.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

This is correct. This particular kit has limited accessories. I remember I did not have the matching sleeve for removing the lower compliance bushing for the control arm. There are kits with more accessories though.

[@miguelmendez4690]

good video my friend from Guatemala 🇬🇹 I, send my like 👍🏼

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Much appreciated! Thanks a lot!

[@BPoweredLove]

So many dudes working on cars either barefoot or with flipflop sandals. Very interesting!

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

My bad...

[@weishen2630]

Thanks for making this video. I tried to follow your instruction by pushing the shock absorber out with a Gear Wrench 28mm impact socket, but had no luck with it. As I was comparing the 28mm impact socket with the end diameter of the shock bushing, I've found the 28mm impact socket to be just a tad undersized. After that, I used my caliper to measure the end diameter of the socket, and discovered it is around 40mm (needs to be at least 41mm wide). Anyway, I am curious to the brand of the 28mm impact socket that you were using. Please let me know!

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Thanks for the compliment! Sorry the 28mm didn't quite fit on yours. To be honest, I picked that socket off the shelve, unbranded. It just had confirmation that it was made with chrome-vanadium alloy. You've already done the right thing by identifying the size of socket you need. Coming to think of it, are you referring to the largest bushing (lower arm compliance bushing) on that control arm? I also take it that you are doing this on the 2003 - 2007 Accord. Or no?

[@weishen2630]

​@@DIYAutoworksNG Mine is 02 Accord V6. It has the older style lower control arm that connects to a radius rod and sway bar link. As for the bushing, it is the compliance bushing that mates with the suspension fork. According to the spec found on Rockauto, the bushing's outside diameter is 42.2m on the 02 Accord. Interestingly, the 03-07 Accord uses a different part number lower control arm bushing, but the dimension of both bushings is identical. That's the main reason why I think your method should work on my 02 Accord.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

I see. Maybe they are the same dimension but perhaps the 7th gen's design is such that the style of the 28mm I had could fit. Anyways, the important thing is just to get a socket that matches. Are you able to?

[@clarkhull7546]

Put the bushings in the freezer for an hour or two. That makes them fit a little better.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Gospel! I do this, though I didn't state it.

[@oluwadarefavour9698]

Do you order your parts from outside the country? or you have a supplier here the country.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Some I get outside, some I get used here.

[@HaydenMiami]

Thank you !! Great video, easy to follow

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Thanks!

[@rhemyis]

I am planning to do the same for my Accord including ball joints if I find them worn. Watched all the video I could find about this procedure and have not seen anyone using a dab of grease on the new bushings to help them slide easier. Is it a bad idea or you don't need to? In your case I saw you could remove and install them quite easily but you said you already changed them once.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

I personally wouldn't use grease since the parts are meant to be held by friction. One hack you can use instead is to put the bushing in the freezer🥶 for say an hour or so. The metal will contract in size and go in easier.

[@rhemyis]

Did you also change the ball joints for your car, do you have any experience with aftermarket ball joints? Mines have no play but look rusty and the boot has small cracks although not torn yet. The oem in my country cost about $100 each and for this price they don't include the nut and cotter pin, you have to buy them separately and not cheap if oem for such a small items. Aftermarket offer for ball joints is vast and way cheaper but I am so afraid of a potential failure, heard some cases with AM ball joints. The difference in price is also high, you can find ball joints from reputable makers for 20, 30 dollars.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

I changed those lower ball joints just before I fully turned PRO in DIY😅. I used a repair shop but bought the OEM myself. Cost about $70 a piece then. Think it was 2015 or so. I still have the same ball joints. They still have no play. I haven't tried AM ball joints for Honda and don't plan to. I've just seen a lot of those embarrassing failures on the road. Also, although the OEM cost a lot, they last a really long time way longer than AM's. On yours, since there's no play, I would leave it alone. If its just surface cracks with no grease leaking you should be good.

[@colinjohnson5515]

Great technique! I think I can save money and replace the bushings instead of buying a new lower control arm!

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Yep. Thanks!

[@emailseyi]

i have been following you on nairaland, good you have a channel on you tube

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Thanks Boss!

[@saginaw60]

Wish someone would show how to orient the large bushing.

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

I agree! I've been getting some noise from the driver side suspension. If its this bushing, I would do a video.

[@rafaellizaola3501]

You are supposed to line up the dot on the bushing to the dot on the control arm

[@GUILLERMOHENRIQUEZ]

Good job

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Thanks!

[@shantor100]

Did you replace the compliance bushing, the largest one?

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Not on this DIY. I had replaced the lower compliance bushing prior to this.

[@shantor100]

@@DIYAutoworksNG 👍

[@ehidenny5185]

Please where did you get the replacement parts?

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Hello Ehi, Parts came from m.buycarparts.co.uk The UK accord shares a lot of parts with the US version.

[@RYU583]

Big help! Thanks!!!!

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful.

[@mikhail6518]

How much rust do you get where you live?

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

A bit. Not really bad, since it's tropical and there's no need for road salt. Some who stay in coastal cities do have more rust. The rust you see was largely there when I got the car (used).

[@mikhail6518]

@@DIYAutoworksNG thank you for your reply

[@Allen-bm6tz]

The larger bushing that you replaced before but was still in good shape, how did you remove it the first time? Were you able to find a cup from your ball joint kit that worked?

[@DIYAutoworksNG]

Very good question. There is no cup from this kit that fit the large bushing. I had to take the control arm to a press to remove and install the new one.