Front crossmember has to come out :\

[Rufes1]

Hey all,

Well My front cross member is bent (the one the front lower control arms mount to and the rack). From what I can see rack has to come out and exhaust/ shift linkages has to be dropped.

Has anyone else done this that can give me a few pointers? What estimated time do you recon with the right tools?

89' civic btw

Thanks again

[Problem_Si]

I'd say around 2hrs or so depending on if anything else is bent, and if any suspension bolts seize.

If the latter happens...good effin luck!

z10 engineering makes a tubular crossmember for the ef, cost around $500, and eliminates wheel hop. Great upgrade if you have the cash, and why not if youre already down there. The thing is a big weight saving, not to mention they offer it in chromoly as well.

[91civicDXdude]

he is talking about the "rear" crossmember, or "k-frame" or whatever you want to call it.

[Jay eS Iye]

when your crossmember is bent, how obvious is it? sounds like a dumb question, but i'm still battling my wheels-pushed-back-towards-my-doors suspension problem and i'm running out of thigns to replace

[Problem_Si]

thats the rear beam.

even if its the rear beam...its still an issue of time, and whether the suspension bolts want to cooperate. The bolts are made of hardened steel, and are damn near impossible to cut without air tools. Ive had a few seize up on me, now i dont even bother with them unless ive had them out recently.

The steering rack, if its bent, is a pretty big and complicated job. I wouldnt recommend it to someone who isnt qualified to do it. Also, if you replace it, you should get an alignment immediately afterwards.

[Setanta]

Originally Posted by Problem_Si

z10 engineering makes a tubular crossmember for the ef, cost around $500, and eliminates wheel hop.

Rufes is another Aussie - it might be a bit far for him to ship the tubular crossmember.

[Rufes1]

yeh, im an apprentice mechanic. Ive done racks before. It looks fairly straight forward.

About the being bent. when you look at where the control arm mounts, the mounting on the crossmember has popped off its weld. quite clear.

I had the wheel pushed back problem and was lower arm bent. Most likely your crossmember is bent.

91civicDXdude: I am talking about the front. Thats if your post was directed towards me.

I am in aus, and there isnt much aftermarket support for the 4thgen. So I will be replacing with standard.

Cheers