Rear suspension bushes for 2002 Insight.

[Robin]

This problem is likely to occur at MoT time again this year, although the front lower bushes are also likely to be mentioned as they were marked as an advisory last year.
Has there been any progress in finding suitable replacements in the last few months?
Honda still will not, or cannot, supply replacement bushes, and the parts manager at my local Honda dealer (in Cornwall) told me recently that replacement bushes are also unavailable for all the current Honda cars, only expensive complete components.
It seems to me that this policy is quite outrageous, and I have never encountered it before with any other make of car; it is bound to cause Honda a great deal of trouble with Honda owners long-term, and I simply cannot understand why Honda are doing it. In the case of older cars, it could result in otherwise perfectly good cars being consigned to the scrap heap because the cost of repair far outweighs the value of the car.

[jonnyvtec]

Honda are a pain in the ass, Corrado ones I plan to start trial fitting, slightly narrower and around 44 dia. rather than 50 so we need a sleeve.


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[retepsnikrep]

There has been a lot of discussion in various threads on here about them, but until the problems becomes serious for a critical mass of owners then I suspect no one will make the effort to solve the problem. We really need some exact copies of the original which can be pressed out. I have lent out old bushes to various people who thought they might be able to help but no one has come up yet with a solid and reasonably priced solution yet. I spent quite a bit of time and effort trying to deal with some of the polybush firms but got nowhere due to the small quantities involved.

[Robin]

Thanks for the responses to my post. I have not yet had to remove any of the bushes from my Insight but, if anyone could let me know the precise dimensions of both the rear and front suspension bushes, I will do my very best to find a source of supply for replacements. I should mention that I have many years experience as one of the medical officers for the Isle of Man TT & Manx Grand Prix races and, as a result, have many contacts in the motorcycle racing world. Polyurethane bushes are in widespread use in both bikes and cars, and there must be some out there which should be suitable.

[Mark Elvin]

I've spoken with my contact at Superflex and there is little they can offer. They have said we could get polyurethane bar stock and turn/mill as required.

[retepsnikrep]

Shaun at TDI has one of my bushes IIRC I have e-mailed him for any update.

I do not have any spare front bushes/arms so can't help with measurements.
I will get Shaun to send the bush onto you if you wish if he is unable to assist.
Others took the suspension from the car we broke last year they may be able to help.
In fact there may be a rear beam axle available if reqd.

Peter

[Mark Elvin]

I did do some work whist at Willians F1 with a copoany called Butser Rubber. If we supplied the metallic parts they may be able to make a suitable mould for the rubber.

May even be able to scan the old bush to see if we can replicate it accurately.

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[Robin]

Thanks for your responses. Tomorrow I am taking my car to an independent experienced mechanic`s workshop where it will be put up on a lift for a detailed examination of all the suspension bushes before deciding what to do next. Watch this space, as they say.........

[retepsnikrep]

Originally Posted by Mark Elvin

I did do some work whist at Willians F1 with a copoany called Butser Rubber. If we supplied the metallic parts they may be able to make a suitable mould for the rubber.

I can send a good bush to forward to the rubber people if you believe they def can help (we need to confirm this with them first), but only on the strict understanding it is returned. I had them removed from late year low mileage crashed cars in the US and sent to me for my stock.

[Mark Elvin]

Peter, I could generate the CAD data for the bush, measure the shore hardness of the rubber and then we could take it from there.