Loganrempert

I just bought a 2003 Civic LX from some guy off craigslist this past month for $1100. It has 193,xxx miles on it. I recently just replaced the oil and the Auxilary cigarette lighter adapter. I just brought the car into the honda dealership so I could get the outstanding recalls fixed. Something about some airbags. But that is beside the point. Upon receiving my car, they informed me that Both of my Rear sway bar links are broken, my LF sway bar link is loose, and that my LF Outer Axle Boot is Leaking Grease. I'm just wondering what I should replace first and how to go about this. My grandfather was/has been a mechanic for over 20 years and I believe I could get his help with some of this. I'm just curious on what measures I should take in fixing this. I will be getting my license in the next month and want this car to be in perfect driving condition when I plan to start driving it every day.
What repairs should I do, and how should I go about this?

Logan

lazlong

Believe it or not those swaybars actually help a lot with side to side movement (sway). While not intrinsically dangerous they do help with handling and you should be ok as long as you don't drive it like a race car or in bad weather. The links are very easy to replace and are self explanatory when you see them. Jack up the whole rear end and put it on jack stands. Then replace both links and both bushings (the rubber in the body mounts). It's always best to replace suspension in sets (both sides) as the old parts on the side you don't replace wear out even faster.

As to the boot, if it's already leaking grease the axle is probably already damaged. It's not immediately important to replace the axle unless it's already clicking. If it's not clicking just replace the boot.

Also, at 193,000 miles it's time to change the timing belt, tensioner and waterpump. You're probably living on borrowed time with that already.