my wife drives a 2003 Honda Civic took it in and the dealer says there is a tear in the compliance arm bushing. is this hard to replace? any special tools? how many hours?
It maybe easiest for the do-it yourself-er to purchase a new control arm with the bushings already installed. You will also need to put a new ball joint on as well. The total coast of parts less the $100.00 on line.
I would get a second opinion from an independent mechanic. This is the sort of thing dealers use to generate profits.
What’s your level of expertise?
Locate a service manual for your Civic and read through the procedure. Then you can decide how hard it is.
I wouldn’t undertake this project in my garage.
Here’s some previous topics about this very same thing:
http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/1483211.page
http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/1909213.page
http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/2160616.page
BC.
thanks everyone for all your help I’ll look into this more and get a non-dealer to look at it. I have a mechanics background but in aviation which is a little different. You guys are the best. I love Car Talk and can never get enough of the great stories that come from the show. Thanks again