I have a 2002 SE, about 110K miles. It runs very well. I routinely get the service done at the Nissan dealership. But when they told me that, in order to replace the trailing arm bushings, I would need an entire rear end... and that it would cost ~$2500, I was a little %^$#*&. I see some old threads on this site for TA bushings, but nothing current and the photo journals are no longer active. I'm not interested in doing this job myself. Does anyone know of a good suspension mechanic that can press in some new bushings in the Los Angeles or Orange County area? I'm in zip code 90242. I see ES has some urethane bushings for ~$90. Anyone have this job done before? Thanks.

 

I think you would have a better chance of finding someone to press in the Dorman TA bushings. Much less work. They can be done with a ball joint press in litttle time.

 

I can vouch for the ES trailing arm bushings. Pretty much every mount and bushing under my car is from ES.

 

I'm thrilled beyond all measure, (NOT), that a mechanic would actually stoop so low to quote $2500 for a relatively inexpensive job. While I haven't done this repair, it goes to show how ripoff thiefs in special clothing, like even doctors, exist everywhere and multiple opinions and research seem to always be necessary.

I hope you get it done quickly, smoothly, and inexpensive.

 

Thanks, everyone, for the replies thus far. And thanks for the photo journal. I've seen the Dorman & ES bushings on Amazon and couldn't really understand what the metal pieces were for on the Dormans. The photos cleared that up for me. And, yes, the replacement of the entire rear end for ~$2500 was really offensive and finally killed the relationship I had with my local Nissan dealer service department.

I tried a local independent mechanic and he had never replaced the bushings before so he didn't know how to quote the job. For comparison though, he wanted ~$1500 to replace the entire rear end. Seeing the Dorman photos, it looks simple enough, but not for me. Seems like if you had that Dorman metal cup tool and a c-clamp, you could press in either the ES or the Dormans... I'll try another shop here in town next week..


AND-- would anyone say that with either the Dorman or ES, I would expect a softer or firmer ride and compared to the factory bushings?

Appreciate everyone's input. Once I find mechanic to do the job, I'll report back.

 

The ES is a little firmer in the rear end, but the tradeoff in precision of handling is well worth it. The actual pressing in the bushings portion is a pretty minor portion of the overall job, it's much more time consuming removing the rear end, removing the old bushings, and reinstalling the rear end than it is pressing the bushings. I did this myself and it took me several days to get it all finished. Mind you, I tend to take my time when working on my car, and I live up North where rust is a major issue to deal with when tackling something like this job.

To press in the bushings I used a large c clamp and a short portion of ABS pipe which I was able to fit over the outside of the bushing housing.

 

Thanks again for the input. I'm still trying to find a competent suspension mechanic willing to do this job in my area... I've spoken to three and none have done it before and others say it's not possible-- despite the proof on this website. Some are willing to replace the entire rear end. My best price on that is still around $1500. I'm not up to doing this myself. I can always do nothing and live with it.

 

sometimes people need to be spoon fed and i am feeling hungry

Can i get a link to the ES bushings and dorman.

Thank you

 

I've done it and it is a lot of work. It's not a good started project for someone without a lot of experience and a good place to work.

Where do you live? Someone may be close and know a good shop.

 

derrick, how do u like what the TA es bushings did for your ride???? can u describe how they feel ? i kinda heard it didnt do all that much??? especially for the huge project that they are to replace
(ps i have a new box of them on my fridge for 2 years now)

ok so Kevin how do you like the bushings back there now? can u describe what they have done?
and yea dude your right, its not about how techincal or if u did it before, it is just a completely huge a$$ project for 2 bushings, u have to rip apart the entire rear end to be able to access removing the bushings them selves, and most shops i have asked check the book or manual how to do something they havne't done to see how to do it and quote it, and its just as much of a project to understand on paper.

some people have suggested buying or getting a secondary rear end w trailing arms attached and bushings replaced and changing them it with your current one , seems like a lot but...it was a decent idea depending on the situation

i am in same boat and would like a shop to do it, but honestly havent even found a shop that would be $500 and under to tactle this PITA project... so the pretty black shiny bushings remain on top of my fridge

 

i have ultra racing side lower bars which connect right to the frame right next to the TA bushings and i cant even freaking imagine how dope these would compliment what the side lower bars have done, and put it in perspective , once i installed the side lower bars, the back end came alive and felt very very connected w the front, and the more i thought about it, they connect right next to the rear trailing arms !!

 

The Dorman website for those that needed a link:

https://www.dormanproducts.com/

just plug-in the make/model/year...

I live in a Los Angeles suburb-- Downey, CA and have contacted five local shops. I'm sure someone is out there, but I'm finding that most mechanics don't want to fix the part you have-- they just want to remove & replace the part-- in this case, they want to replace the entire rear axle and not replace the bushings. I can't really do without the car for more than a couple or three days, so a shop where I can show-up with the parts and have a mechanic (that's done it before) do the job in a single day is very appealing.... If anyone has experience with a suspension mechanic in my area, I'd be glad for the referral.

 

Got mine done in February, about $300 total labor, uninstalling, pressing, installing. Made a difference thats for sure.

 

well you got really lucky, maybe cuz no rust down there,

cheap and impressive.

 

Is it impossible to replace trailing arm bushings by removing trailing arm bushing bolt and lowering it out of bracket, without dropping the entire beam out?

 

That's how I installed my Super Pro bushings on my 98. I took them out that way too. No need to unbolt much, maybe just the bottom strut bolt.

 

So you were able to remove and replace the trailing arm bushings without dropping the beam assembly. If I understand you correctly you just pulled the bolts from the TA bushings and the lower strut and tilted the arms out of the bracket? Did you have the vehicle lifted and the axle or beam hanging, or did you take up the weight of the beam? How did you get the bushings out, burn and cut or press? And what did you replace with? Thanks very much for the response.

 

A 4th gen is different but here's my thread. Post 50 is how I did it installed on the car.
https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...-fits-a32.html

 

side note in post 50 there was that you don't like RSB ! =) very interesting,

also after reading your post it is very motivating, i have had the ES trailing arm bushings sitting on top of the fridge for 4 years now.... because as far as I knew you had to drop the beam remove tons of stuff with 3-4 hours plus kinda job. but your method seems way simpler keeping most parts on the car

and in the broader sense you said you didn't really recognize it the mod much after installing either...so blahh.

 

I had a Progress RSB as one of my first mods before I owned a Maxima. I had it on my dad's 96 with Intrax and AGX. In 04 I put it on my 98 with Eibach and AGX. Both had stock wheels. Something about that setup was not right. I did some sprited, albeit dumb, driving and they were tail happy. Snap oversteer is scary if you are inexperienced. Also around certain (bumpy) roads the back had a strange feeling. I sold it because I felt it did more harm than good. Plus I was on a huge weight reduction kick. It's a big chunk of unsprung weight.

Fast forward to last year and my 99. I got an Addco for basically nothing. I figured why not try it again. I have not felt the same sort of effects. I also don't drive like a nimrod any more.

I do plan on installing my Super Pro bushings in the 99, maybe this year. It really is not hard to do. They came out super easy from my 98 and are still in great condition.

 

thanks for the info ! and unsprung weigh... sighh =) i have 3 underbody chassis bars. hahah.....they are so worth it though IMO !
ill keep an eye out if you post any impressions from the RTA bushings on 99. i wish it was easy for me.... im too new and inexperienced ripping something like suspension apart, (trust me i have seen it done and it dosen't look too too bad, nothing like engine but yea) and being a daily...sometimes it's not easy to get into things like that.

 

What bars do you have?

 

blehmco ltb stage 2, ultra racing lower side bars (think sub frame connectors but bolt on),

heres a pic for reference (ur-sd6-1167), and tho its slightly topic you could bring it on topic, showing how close these bars connect to the body at the trailing arm points !

 

Thanks for the info ...