CL9 lower control arm bushings: which to get?

19090 Views 17 Replies 7 Participants Last post by tphillipsum3216, 2 mo ago

ZaneKaminski

Discussion Starter · Dec 20, 2016

Hello everyone. The title basically says it all. The large bushings (are these called the "compliance bushings"?) on both of my front lower control arms are torn and I plan to replace them soon. I've got about 72k miles currently.

But which brand should I get?

Energy Suspension does not seem to offer any TSX bushings.

I see these PSB brand bushings for 7th-gen Honda Accord: Honda Accord - Problem Solving Polyurethane Bushings - PSB Will these work? I see them for sale and said to be compatible with TSX here: https://www.armstrongdistributors.c...=18229922501&gclid=CMCJ6aPog9ECFQkKaQodAfcEIQ

Is this a good choice? Or should I just get OEM? Some say they're a lot cheaper, but I was told by the parts guy of my Acura dealer that they sell only a set consisting of the control arm and the three bushings, and do not sell the bushings separately separately. Is this really true, or is he mistaken?

And while I'm doing this, should I replace the other two bushings on each control arm? I planned to take the arm off, so I figured I should, but maybe I can just replace the one bushing with the arm still on the car.

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tr3flip

· #2 · Dec 21, 2016

I replaced my front compliance bushing with the PCI spherical replacement. It makes the steering a lot tighter and will last much longer than the cheap rubber Honda uses.

FWIW, Honda and Acura will sell the bushings separately. They were only about $12 each.

I didn't replace any other bushings other than the front compliance. That's where you'll feel the biggest performance gain, especially if your stock bushings are blown out.

https://www.heeltoeauto.com/bushing...8-acura-tsx-all-flp.compliancebearing.pr.html

phen8tk

· #3 · Dec 22, 2016

Does PCI compliance bushings compromise ride comfort in any way? I was considering these bushings a few months back, but ended up replacing them with OEM ones instead.

ZaneKaminski

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 23, 2016

That PCI part looks really cool. I'm interested as well in how it affects the ride comfort

ZaneKaminski

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 1, 2017

I think I'm just gonna get the polyurethane ones from PSB. It will be some time before I can install them. I'll post here with my thoughts on them once they're installed.

2.2Lude

· #6 · Jan 1, 2017

ZaneKaminski said:
I think I'm just gonna get the polyurethane ones from PSB. It will be some time before I can install them. I'll post here with my thoughts on them once they're installed.

Just took a look at PSB's site :

Acura - Problem Solving Polyurethane Bushings - PSB

Unless I missed it somewhere the only bushings they list are the front control arms REAR position bushing, not the front control arms FRONT compliance bushing.
You maybe want to confirm which bushings you'll be getting before ordering.

ZaneKaminski

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 3, 2017

Hmm, you seem to be right. Well I'll do the spherical bearings then. Hopefully they won't mess up the ride comfort. The bushings allow movement in a way that the bearings seem not to is why I hesitate.

Brock

· #8 · Jan 4, 2017

2

I had the PCI bearings installed last summer. I liked the quicker steering response but they
made all bumps noticeable. If I drove over a toothpic, I could feel it. Road noise was increased too.
I didn't think the increased steering response was worth the degraded NVH, so I put the TL Type-S
bushings back in. These are firmer than stock, but still rubber. I would recommend replacing only the
compliance bushings, part number is 51394-SEP-A11. They have a specific orientation to allow
proper stretching of the rubber, so pay attention when installing them.
Below are pics of the PCI bushings in a TSX LCA and a stock TL LCA for reference.

After the TL bushings were back in, I installed the Spoon rigid collars for the front and rear subframes.
This increased the steering response almost as much as the PCI bearings but actually reduced NVH.
It made the chassis feel more solid. This by far was the best mod I ever did to improve driving feel.
If you LIKE driving your TSX, then you will LOVE driving it after installing the rigid collars.

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2.2Lude

· #9 · Jan 5, 2017

I didn't think of the TL-S bushings, good to know they work and are an upgrade in terms of stiffness.

ZaneKaminski

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 6, 2017

Are the 51394-SEP-A11 bushings for the Type-S only? I understood that the -A11 part is for all '07-'08 TL models and the -A01 part is for '04-'06.

Brock

· #11 · Jan 6, 2017 (Edited)

Yeah, the 51394-SEP-A11 is for all 07-08 TLs, including the Type-S.

Edit: I recently read a press release for the 2007 TL and it states that
the compliance bushings are softer than previous years. So, it looks
like the bushing of choice is 51394-SEP-A01 (04-06 TL).

EconoBox

· #12 · Jan 7, 2017

I have the PCI sphericals in my 2006 with Fortune Auto coilovers and 235/45r18 Nitto Neogens. I took it on a 2000 mile road trip right after installing them and absolutely love them. The NVH wasn't any issue at all for me. When I got back I even went ahead and installed the Hasport front and rear engine mounts with 70A bushings.

What I'm getting at is it's personal preference. Some people use the OEM bushings cause they liked the car stock, some use Moog replacement arms cause they don't have access to a press or want to pay for the install, some use TL bushings, some use spherical. Just read reviews and pick which one you like. I will tell you the sphericals reduce steering effort, improve response, and increase road feel.

phen8tk

· #13 · Jan 8, 2017

Brock said:
I had the PCI bearings installed last summer. I liked the quicker steering response but they
made all bumps noticeable. If I drove over a toothpic, I could feel it. Road noise was increased too.
I didn't think the increased steering response was worth the degraded NVH, so I put the TL Type-S
bushings back in. These are firmer than stock, but still rubber. I would recommend replacing only the
compliance bushings, part number is 51394-SEP-A11. They have a specific orientation to allow
proper stretching of the rubber, so pay attention when installing them.
Below are pics of the PCI bushings in a TSX LCA and a stock TL LCA for reference.

After the TL bushings were back in, I installed the Spoon rigid collars for the front and rear subframes.
This increased the steering response almost as much as the PCI bearings but actually reduced NVH.
It made the chassis feel more solid. This by far was the best mod I ever did to improve driving feel.
If you LIKE driving your TSX, then you will LOVE driving it after installing the rigid collars.

Brock,
This is a bit off topic, but your comment on the rigid collars really intrigued me. Do you know if these collars are one time use only? I'm anticipating a clutch job in the not so distant future and wanted to know if I should just wait then to get these collars installed since the subframe will be dropped anyway. Also, do you think it's worth having the collars for both front and rear?

2.2Lude

· #14 · Jan 8, 2017

phen8tk said:
Brock,
This is a bit off topic, but your comment on the rigid collars really intrigued me. Do you know if these collars are one time use only? I'm anticipating a clutch job in the not so distant future and wanted to know if I should just wait then to get these collars installed since the subframe will be dropped anyway. Also, do you think it's worth having the collars for both front and rear?

I know the question was for Brock but seeing as I rock the front/rear spoon collars Ill throw in my 2 cents.

A few people online have mentioned they could be a one time use item, because collar "meshes" and conforms to its mounting points. I personally don't think that will be an issue. Spoon claims they are some random material but honestly they feel like aluminum to me. The portion of the collars that centers the bolt and goes between the frame and mount point is what really makes these work.

I would wait to install the collars until your clutch job unless you have a thing for dropping your subframe twice. Also note that the install is pretty involved, and unlike the s2000 you need to either drop or lower the header and exhaust. I tried without lowering the exhaust and unbolting the header but I couldn't pry the subframe far enough downward to install the collars. Doing this on a lift is enormously helpful.

I did both the front and rear at the same time so I can't really comment on the feel of only having the front or rear. But I would get them both, they tighten up the chassis, increase steering response, and cut down movement when going over choppy streets a decent amount.

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phen8tk

· #15 · Jan 8, 2017

Thanks! Sounds like a great mod. Having them reusesable makes ~$500 cost (for front and rear) easier to swallow.

Brock

· #16 · Jan 8, 2017

2.2Lude pretty much answered the question, but I'll add my thoughts...
The collars are definitely aluminum and deform to the shape of the two mating surfaces and inside holes.
If you drop the subframe after installing them, then make sure you put the collars back in the same spots.

I had the car on jack stands and used two jacks to lower the subframe about 2" to get them in place.
I left all the bolts in place but backed out most of the way. I installed one collar at a time then slowly
tightened the bolts until they were sort of snug. I moved the subframe with a pry bar to get the collars
seated before tightening the rest of the way.

If you install the collars like this, then you will have to disconnect the exhaust but not the header.
You need to unbolt the two engine/trans side mounts so that the engine can be lowered with the subframe.
I can't remember if there was other stuff that I disconnected, but just watch the engine as you lower
the subframe and make sure nothing is binding. Make sure all chassis/collar mating surfaces are clean.

The rear is much easier, but you should have a small board under the subframe to spread the load from
the jack.

I did the front a couple of weeks before the rear and the improvement was noticeable but the alignment
was way off, so it was hard to quantify. After doing the rear, the alignment was almost perfect and
the improvement was quite obvious. Do both the front and rear. You will love driving your TSX after that.

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Reactions: 2

ZaneKaminski

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 18, 2017

Will look into the collars in the future. I intend to keep my car as long as possible so it seems worthwhile. For now, I got the '07-'08 TL bushings and will install them soon

tphillipsum3216

· #18 · 2 mo ago

Brock said:
I had the PCI bearings installed last summer. I liked the quicker steering response but they
made all bumps noticeable. If I drove over a toothpic, I could feel it. Road noise was increased too.
I didn't think the increased steering response was worth the degraded NVH, so I put the TL Type-S
bushings back in. These are firmer than stock, but still rubber. I would recommend replacing only the
compliance bushings, part number is 51394-SEP-A11. They have a specific orientation to allow
proper stretching of the rubber, so pay attention when installing them.
Below are pics of the PCI bushings in a TSX LCA and a stock TL LCA for reference.

After the TL bushings were back in, I installed the Spoon rigid collars for the front and rear subframes.
This increased the steering response almost as much as the PCI bearings but actually reduced NVH.
It made the chassis feel more solid. This by far was the best mod I ever did to improve driving feel.
If you LIKE driving your TSX, then you will LOVE driving it after installing the rigid collars.

I can’t find where to get tl type s bushings anywhere. Where would I get everything I need to swap my oem bushings for tl type s bushings? I’ve been looking forever but I can only find just tl bushings

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