s2kdriver80

So I have 125k miles on my 03 S2000 right now. At around 115k miles, I had upgraded from the stock 03 suspension to the CR suspension (coilovers and antiroll bars). At the time, the A-arm bushings seemed fine. But not anymore. The front driver side bushing on the lower A-arm is hosed. Although I have high mileage, I have a feeling that the high mileage in addition to the additional stress from the stiffer coilovers might have contributed to the bushing failure.

Now if I want to keep the OEM system, it seems like I would have to buy the entire A-arm since Honda does not sell A-arm bushings by themselves. The question is - should I replace every A-arm bushing on the car for good measure?

Thanks.

Keith

Yep, the upper control arms are the same part numbers -> 51450-S2A-003

Keith

negcamber

Front upper a-arm is the same part number for all years:

51450-S2A-003 right
51460-S2A-003 left

Here is a helpful site that gives Honda part numbers.

http://www.slhondaparts.com/browse.asp?Model=S2000

negcamber

The rear upper a-arms are not the same between ap1 and ap2.

s2kdriver80

Thanks guys and negcamber for the link...

2003 Honda S2000 A-Arms

FRONT DRIVER
51460-S2A-003 ARM, L. FR. (UPPER) $162.97
51360-S2A-030 ARM, L. FR. (LOWER) $223.32

FRONT PASSENGER
51450-S2A-003 ARM, R. FR. (UPPER) $162.97
51350-S2A-030 ARM, R. FR. (LOWER) $229.65

REAR DRIVER
52400-S2A-003 ARM, L. RR. (UPPER) $185.31
52360-S2A-000 ARM, L. RR. (LOWER) $274.10
52345-S2A-003 ARM, L. RR. CONTROL $57.74

REAR PASSENGER
52390-S2A-003 ARM, R. RR. (UPPER) $185.31
52350-S2A-000 ARM, R. RR. (LOWER) $274.10
52340-S2A-003 ARM, R. RR. CONTROL $57.74

==========================================

2 major questions...

1) Since the driver front lower A-arm bushing is hosed, I will definitely need that A-arm, no question. Since the car is at 125k miles, would it be advisable to get every A-arm in order to get the fresh bushings? I guess it is a matter of whether or not bushing performance is an all-or-nothing issue. Is bushing performance akin to shocks where damping ability gradually decreases as it ages or is bushing performance akin to say a power window motor where it works like new until the day it dies? If the latter, then I guess I can replace A-arms as the bushings fail and save money for now. I just want the car handling the way it's meant to... with sharp and quick reflexes with no sloppiness.

2) If on the other hand, I should replace everything with new pieces... for the rears, there are 3 components, not 2 like the fronts. What is this "control" part? Does this part have a bushing in it? If not, then maybe I won't need this.

Thanks.

SC_Highlander

King motorsports sells the 'mugen' bushings for the lower arms. I replaced the rearmost 'compliance' bushing on a used arm a couple of weeks ago. They sell for $85 a pair. I say they are 'mugen' because, though they are stamped in a mugen package, they look and feel identical to the stock bushings right down to the molded numbers in the rubber.

s2kdriver80

Thanks. I went to King's site and these are all of the bushings I could find. Do these make up every bushing that go on all of the A-arms? Do some of these overlap? What to do? And when they say 2 piece set, is it 1 for each side or 2 on one corner? When they say 4 piece set, is it 2 for each side or 4 on one corner?


Front Compliance Set - 2 Piece Set [51391-XGS-S0N0]
S2000 (2000-2003)
$88.00

Front Lower Arm Set - 2 Piece Set [51353-XGS-S0N0]
S2000 (2000-2003)
$97.00

Front Lower Damper Set - 2 Piece Set [51810-XGS-S0N0]
S2000 (2000-2003)
$132.00

Front Upper Arm Set - 4 Piece Set [51455-XGS-S0N0]
S2000 (2000-2003)
$347.00

Spring Mounting Set - 4 Piece Set [51686-XGS-S0N0]
S2000 (2000-2003)
$81.00

Rear Control Arm Set - 2 Piece Set [52366-XGS-S0N0]
S2000 (2000-2003)
$92.00

Rear Lower Arm Set - 2 Piece Set [52353-XGS-S0N0]
S2000 (2000-2003)
$88.00

SC_Highlander

2 piece set is one for each side of the car, so the 'compliance' bushing set is 2 compliance bushings, one for the right lower control arm, and one for the left. The 4 piece sets are 2 for each side of the car -- the upper control arms connect to the chassis in 2 identical spots, so it uses the same bushing.

Incidentally, if you are in need of the "Front Lower Arm Set - 2 Piece Set [51353-XGS-S0N0]", I have them sitting on my shelf in the garage. I bought them with the intention of doing both bushings on that side of the LCA, but ran out of time and just did the compliance bushing. Shoot me a PM if you want them.

s2kdriver80

Ok thanks - I will let you know. I'm going to see Billman250 in 2 weeks and will see what needs to be fixed.