Suspension bushing question...

Need advice!

I'm in the middle of changing all the rear bushings on my '91 Integra's
rear suspension right now and a question just occurred to me.

I know the bushing bolts need to be tightened with the suspension
compressed to its natural state, as it will be in everyday use.

Is it OK to just push the arm up with the jack to approximately the right
height, or does the car actually need to be sitting on the ground and
rolled back and forth a bit before the bolts are tightened?

Pushing the arm up with seems to compress the suspension differently from
when the car is sitting on the ground.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

TeGGeR® wrote:
> Need advice!
>
> I'm in the middle of changing all the rear bushings on my '91 Integra's
> rear suspension right now and a question just occurred to me.
>
> I know the bushing bolts need to be tightened with the suspension
> compressed to its natural state, as it will be in everyday use.
>
> Is it OK to just push the arm up with the jack to approximately the right
> height, or does the car actually need to be sitting on the ground and
> rolled back and forth a bit before the bolts are tightened?

i've tried both, and the latter way definitely achieves the best result.
you can access all the necessary bolts from the ground if you don't
mind lying in the driveway.

>
> Pushing the arm up with seems to compress the suspension differently from
> when the car is sitting on the ground.
>
yes, but you need to do this anyway to get the lower arm bolts in. then
you can do whatever you need before full reassembly.