Front suspension crossmember?

Have had my CRX for a few years and I really don't want to part with it. It had been making a rattle for a few months and a mechanic friend of mine told me it had to do with a front suspension crossmember (I know very little about cars, myself). From what I can gather, the part would be about 800 bucks to get a new replacement installed, which I can't afford to put into a car with 335,000 miles. Do you guys think I should go looking around in junkyards and would I be able to install the piece myself with a little help in the right direction? Thanks.

It should be pretty easy to put in and take out... I think most ppl do that when they want to take out the engine and dont have a hoist... I would def a check local junk yards and even eBay... Could have it done for less than $200... Hell theres one on there now (with some rust on it) for $20 + $35 shipping... Cant see just how bad the rust is in the pics tho...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7978368156&category=33583&sspagename=WD1V

the front crossmember is the easy one to take out. its only 4 bolts holding it to the frame, and two radius rods and one motor mount.

Its odd that its making a rattle, I think it must be something else he's talking about, like steering rack.

probably so. unless the radius rods are loose and those big washers are rattling

the front crossmember is the easy one to take out. its only 4 bolts holding it to the frame, and two radius rods and one motor mount.

word...also i replaced my steering rack, front and read croos member, axle left LCA, left UCA comeplete left suspension radius rods, other stuff too (hit a curb in the snow)with no exprience under a honda, basically saw what i needed, took it off at the junk yard and then put it on the exact way it came off. its not brain surgery, just alot of muscle stuff. but yea the front cross member is prolly like 20 bucks and 4 bolts, 14 mms. the rear cross member bolts are 17 mms

Or unless its all rusted out, which depending on his location is a definate possibility...