Its time to replace my rear trailing arm bushings. I’ve been looking and have gound the ES bushings and the Prothane bushings. What are the difference in the two? The Prothane costs about 3 times as much as the ES. I dont care to pay more for a better product but is this worth it? Also I would like to know where I can get a better deal on them online??? I’ll try to take pics of the install for the TegTips section.
I’m just guessing at this, but it’s likely the Prothane bushings are a “trailing arm package” or something, including all of the bushings on the trailing arms and possibly control arms too.
I hope you have access to one huge press 
http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=426
That page has more details on changing those bushings.
The ES kit is just the bushings, so you have to remove the metal parts of the bushings and reuse them. The Prothane ones contain all new metal sleeves and centerpiece, but NOT the trailing arm or anything else like that. If you have decent tools and a decent press, the prothane ones will probably be easier to install because you don’t have to grind/cut/etc. all the rubber off of the old metal parts to reuse them. Otherwise the ES will probably be easier, just more time consuming to install.
Originally posted by 90RioGS
[B]I’m just guessing at this, but it’s likely the Prothane bushings are a “trailing arm package” or something, including all of the bushings on the trailing arms and possibly control arms too.
I hope you have access to one huge press 
http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=426
That page has more details on changing those bushings. [/B]
You guessed wrong.
Prothane trailing arm bushing kit,
a direct replacement that requires a hydrolic press, you only reuse the factory bolts to fasten the trailing arm bushing to the unibody.
Prothane is harder than Suspension Techniques (firmer ride)
Suspension Techniques trailing arm bushing.
Is only the bushing, you have to reuse the factory bushing ring / housing and bushing insert. A press is not required but does help. This one is for the do it yourself type with limited tooling.
I tryed to get the Prothane kit for my car but was shipped the civic kit that is 1/2 inch too small. I ended up with the Suspension techniques bushings and an very pleased with them.
Do a search there is a post with more info: tierod and control arm bushings (or something like that)
Hey guys, a big hydrolic press is not necessary with the Prothane Bushings. I did mine with a big hammer when the trailing arms where removed from the car… The shop where I bought the bushings were able to replace the TA bushings on a civic with the trailing arms still attached to the car. So take out a big hammer instead of the big hydrolic press!
Originally posted by Answer
Hey guys, a big hydrolic press is not necessary with the Prothane Bushings. I did mine with a big hammer when the trailing arms where removed from the car… The shop where I bought the bushings were able to replace the TA bushings on a civic with the trailing arms still attached to the car. So take out a big hammer instead of the big hydrolic press!
I was wondering if that was possible, the sleeves for the prothane as well as the stock sleeves are tapered slightly, and presumably can be just knocked out; much easier than the ones that aren’t tapered and have to be pressed. I had a friend with a machine shop do my rta bushings with a large press, so I didn’t get a chance to try just knocking them out. Good to know!
The company I work for has a pretty well stocked machine shop so the press is no problem. What I would like to know is how hard is it to get the trailing arm off the car and what should I leave attached to it??? I will probably go with the Prothane bushings. I read somewhere where the mounting holes are ovaled for camber adjustment. I dont need it now but maybe in the future…