Rear Trailing Arm Bushing - Honda Service Bulletin

doitdubdoitdub familEE
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
I'm about to replace my rear trailing arm bushings with some OE bushings I bought from Honda several years ago (just been sitting in a box, never got around to it). Anyway, during my search to make sure these were in-fact the right part # since I've accumulated quite a few parts with different vehicles over these years, I found a service bulletin that troubled me.
http://downloads.hondatech.info/Auto/Se ... 0-006e.pdf
Export Service Bulletin 00-006
2002 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved XTB 21723-23591 (0202) 1 of 2
February 2002

Applies To: 1988–00 Civic – ALL
Clunk From Rear Suspension
(Supersedes 00-006, dated August 2000)

Failed Part: P/N 52385-SR3-000
PARTS INFORMATION (replacement part)
Rear Trailing Arm Bushing: P/N 52385-S21-003

Now I have the part they are mentioning as "Failed Part". I am guessing they just improved it, but what is crazy is they are about double the price of the 'new' part and from everything I've found online, you have a better chance finding these 'failed' parts at your Honda dealership than the new 52385-S21-003, but that's hearsay as I haven't called any dealerships. So the other possibility is that they could have found a cheaper supplier seeing as the new parts are 1/2 the price. I dunno.

Now I'm still planning on installing these as I spent a good amount of money on them and don't think there would be an issue. The reason for my post is this:

1) Inform anyone buying trailing arm bushings to ask for the right part
2) to see if anyone has compared the two part numbers side by side, to see what the difference is
3) to see if anyone has installed the 52385-SR3-000 and any input (premature wear, not stiff, whatever)

Comments

  • ogwagonogwagon Wagonist
    Good info. Did you ever consider using the Energy Suspension replacements? I know you already have the OEM parts and will most likely use them since you already bought them, but just a suggestion. I have seen quite a few people replace the trail arm bushings w/OEM parts at the delear(both Honda and Acura) only to have them tear again within 3 to 5 years. They are not a very sturdy part to begin with and wear out even sooner on lowered vehicles. I have installed the Energy Suspension RTA bushings on both of my wagons and hatchback and immediately felt a noticeable difference in the way the cars handle and drive. They do however make the rear suspension feel a little more rigid when going over bumpy roads. They are relatively inexpensive, last for many years, and would be a good alternative to the OEM part.
  • PrefaderPrefader Band Wagon
    My poly TA bushings squeak a lot in the cold. During the warmer months around here, I don't notice any noise from them, but once it gets around 40-ish or lower, it sounds pretty crazy back there. I don't think it's a problem, just something to be ready for. Dead easy to install, too. I did mine with a couple wood blocks and a c clamp.
  • nominousnominous familEE
    I have an RTA OEM Honda bush in a bag I'll check the part number.

    I did the Energy RTA bush a while back on a CRX.
    I hated it. It's seemingly like chalk and cheese. Some love it, some hate it.
    I felt it messed up the whole rear end and made it feel like it was going to snap loose. I lost the progressive rear steer which I enjoyed.

    My the ITR forum here they did a group buy a longtime ago on a Mugen RTA bush.
    It's a stiffer material but same style part.

    The part flexes in many directions. The energy one cannot do it to the same extent.
    I'm happy with all the other bushes replaced with energy, but I'd leave that one stock or upgrade it to the Mugen one mentioned.


    I consider it to be a consumable.
    We can get them here as pattern parts for about $15 per side.
    I'd replace it every year if it was failing, it's not a hard job, you just need a big hammer TBH.
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