BIG PROBLEM!!! Need serious help fast?
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From: Miami (Pembroke Pines), Florida
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BIG PROBLEM!!! Need serious help fast? Ok so I purchased the stock OEM suspension setup from another member who said it came off of a 02 ex coupe with 20K miles on it. I also have a 02 ex coupe, so I got it.
Well I went to install the assembly today, and I got the front on with no problems but I ran into a big problem with the rear. After I got the aftermarket assembly off, I went to put the OEM strut in and it doesnt fit into that trailing arm bracket. The bushing extends out farther then the bracket. I had a tech at my work look at it and he said it is the wrong strut for the car. But when I called honda and gave them the part number, it matched a 02 civic. I dont know what to do here. I tried bending the bracket on the trailing arm, but that didnt work, I hammered the **** out of the strut on the bottom to get it in but it didnt work. I am thinking about ordering new bushings for each of the struts, what do you think? I dont know what else to do. The actual bushings sits in the housing fine, but the metal part that the bolt goes through extends out to far. SO now I am stuck with stock in the front and aftermarket in the rear.
What would anyone recommend? I dont like the look of it now with the back lower then the front. Please anyone help on this.
Well I went to install the assembly today, and I got the front on with no problems but I ran into a big problem with the rear. After I got the aftermarket assembly off, I went to put the OEM strut in and it doesnt fit into that trailing arm bracket. The bushing extends out farther then the bracket. I had a tech at my work look at it and he said it is the wrong strut for the car. But when I called honda and gave them the part number, it matched a 02 civic. I dont know what to do here. I tried bending the bracket on the trailing arm, but that didnt work, I hammered the **** out of the strut on the bottom to get it in but it didnt work. I am thinking about ordering new bushings for each of the struts, what do you think? I dont know what else to do. The actual bushings sits in the housing fine, but the metal part that the bolt goes through extends out to far. SO now I am stuck with stock in the front and aftermarket in the rear.
What would anyone recommend? I dont like the look of it now with the back lower then the front. Please anyone help on this.
Last edited by streetglower; Jun 18, 2005 at 07:20 PM.
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Rep Power: 452 Anyone? I really need to know what the problem might be. I dont think the strut is wrong because I know the front struts have different sizes, but dont the rear have all the same sizes? I have the feeling the bushing in the strut is the problem, but not sure. That is why I want to buy another one. If you look at the bottom of the strut you see the metal part of the bushings sticking way out the sides. The aftermarket one is flush with the actually strut.
BTW do you think I did any damage to the strut when I hit the bottom of it with a hammer.
BTW do you think I did any damage to the strut when I hit the bottom of it with a hammer.
Last edited by streetglower; Jun 18, 2005 at 07:55 PM.
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
Rep Power: 412 1) You didn't probably damage the strut by hitting it with a hammer, but I suggest using a rubber mallet next time
2) The bushing is the problem and not the strut. All rears are the same for all years. The bushing is either busted or has moved out of position. You can get it pressed out and get a new one pressed in or see if DIY.
BTW take a pic and let us see what is going on.
2) The bushing is the problem and not the strut. All rears are the same for all years. The bushing is either busted or has moved out of position. You can get it pressed out and get a new one pressed in or see if DIY.
BTW take a pic and let us see what is going on.
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Rep Power: 310 Measure the width of the LCA where the strut mounts into and make sure that its wide enough to accomodate the bushings sleeve(the metal tube in the middle of the bushing). Obviously it should be short enough to fit in between the LCA mount. If the bushing sleeve isnt centered, lay it on its side on a piece of wood and whack it a couple of times until its centered. Afterwards make sure the bolt still goes through. If not you might have to file it a little.
The hardest part I found when installing the rears was that the shock wasnt compressed enough, it was to long overall and the hole wouldnt line up. I think it might be from the swaybar holding the LCA up higher. So instead of removing the swaybar, I just used an 11mm socket on top of my floor jack and jacked up the shock until it lined up with the bolt hole.
The hardest part I found when installing the rears was that the shock wasnt compressed enough, it was to long overall and the hole wouldnt line up. I think it might be from the swaybar holding the LCA up higher. So instead of removing the swaybar, I just used an 11mm socket on top of my floor jack and jacked up the shock until it lined up with the bolt hole.
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Rep Power: 452 Ok, I just talked to robbclark1, and we both think it is the bushing. He measured his and it extends out 1/4 of a inch on both sides. Mine sticks out just over a 1/4 inch on one side and a bit under 1/2 on the other side. So I am going to order a new bushing from honda tomorrow and see if this makes the difference.
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Originally Posted by flotsamm
Measure the width of the LCA where the strut mounts into and make sure that its wide enough to accomodate the bushings sleeve(the metal tube in the middle of the bushing). Obviously it should be short enough to fit in between the LCA mount. If the bushing sleeve isnt centered, lay it on its side on a piece of wood and whack it a couple of times until its centered. Afterwards make sure the bolt still goes through. If not you might have to file it a little.
The hardest part I found when installing the rears was that the shock wasnt compressed enough, it was to long overall and the hole wouldnt line up. I think it might be from the swaybar holding the LCA up higher. So instead of removing the swaybar, I just used an 11mm socket on top of my floor jack and jacked up the shock until it lined up with the bolt hole.
The hardest part I found when installing the rears was that the shock wasnt compressed enough, it was to long overall and the hole wouldnt line up. I think it might be from the swaybar holding the LCA up higher. So instead of removing the swaybar, I just used an 11mm socket on top of my floor jack and jacked up the shock until it lined up with the bolt hole.
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From: Miami (Pembroke Pines), Florida
Rep Power: 452 well I got the new bushings on tuesday and they were alot smaller then the old ones. I guess the material in the old bushings wore out or something. But I got the new ones pressed in at school and the whole assembly slipped right in, in about 15 minutes. So everything is ok now.
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