My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

I picked up my 91 crx dx a little over a year ago for 700 buck. Let's just say I paid way too much lol. It's been a slow process but things are starting to take shape. I started by de-ricing the hanous hand-painted custom interior to stock si black, followed by a complete engine rebuild. I posted a build thread on that stuff last year, you can view it here https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/91-crx-rebuild-2641933/ . On to the good stuff! So now that my car runs like a champ I felt like it only be fair if it steers, brakes, and handles like one. The transmission that I bought it with grinded like a mofo so I'm upgrading that as well. Hers's what I'll be installing: Energy Suspension master bushing kit, trailing arm bushings, inner and outer tie rods, ball joints, steering rack bushing/lube, slotted and cross-drilled rotors, brake pads, ss brake lines, rebuild calipers, rear disk conversion, si transmission, and stock struts and springs. Here's the goodies.

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

I started by putting in the front suspension bushings. I did the upper control arms first. Hers's the camber bolts and bushing, I had some unknown adjustable camber kit the previous owner had installed because he had slammed the car on tokico blues (ugh!) at least he had the sense to use a camber kit.

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Looks like all the stuff I get to do in one day along with put the head back on the engine. Its not a lot of fun. Hopefully it will fix my wheel wobble that feels like the rim is going to fall off.

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Energy bushing

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

I pressed it in using a 12 ton harbor freight shop press. It makes most bushing installs super easy. Make sure you lube up :)

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Once you have the bushing in it's time to repeat the process with the metal sleeve and you're good to go!

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Well I'm heading to bed, I'll upload the rest of what I have tomorrow. Stay tuned :)

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

in on suspension set up

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

So next I did the ball joint boot. A lot of people don't like to use the ES boots because they don't have a groove on it for the retaining clip. I agree, it kinda sucks getting it on but I found a way to old it on. Use the retaining clip that usually holds on the balljoint itself and it will lock it in the groove. You might have to use two, one to hold on the boot and one to hold the ball joint in. I haven't tried putting two on yet I just have the one holding the boot on.

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

I've been trying to figure out how to insert text in between pics on the same post and for the life of me can't. Someone enlighten me lol.

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

but have the "[img]"http:blah blah blah stuff together.... not on the next line, and end the picture link with the "[/img]" (without quotes) I only did that so it wouldn't actually show the picture and it'd show the coding to use. :]

So in other words, don't use the "manage attachments/jpeg" shit. Just upload the image on www.photobucket.com or www.imageshack.us.

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Thanks Nooch! Here it goes.

The next thing I did was the lower control arms. I got the bushings out using my press again with a 30mm socket for the big hole and a 24mm for the small I believe.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7039378_n.jpg

Closer view, I cleaned out the rust and debris using a die grinder with metal brush attachment.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8335035_n.jpg

Both bushings pressed in.

Nooch you are the MAN! Thanks dude :)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3505833_n.jpg

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Lookin Good, keep it up,

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Thanks man, it's definitely a process lol.

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

You are whipping out some quality threads, dude. Im subscribing to this one.

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Thanks bro, finally someone subscribed :)

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

So now onto the steering rack rebuild! I didn't take a ton of pics for this one but there are a few. I took a video of how my rex sounded steering and driving prior to the upgrades but I'm having troubles uploading it from my phone. It's hilarious, sounds like an old wooden door with rusty hinges everytime I turn the wheel lol. Any way I started by removing the rack and disassembling everything, it's quite easy just follow the how to in the faq. I didn't run into and problems. The lock washers were super easy to get off, just use a cresent wrench and turn it. It will break the tabs so you'll need new ones. Next I replaced the rack end bushing followed by the inner tie rods. I also re-lubed all the internal components with grease and adjusted the steering gear.

Here's the rack out

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2528584_n.jpg

Look how nasty that is!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4838046_n.jpg

Worn out outer tie rods

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7273570_n.jpg

This is how you remove the steering rack from the subframe. Compress the driver side tie rod all the way in and you'll be able to snake it through.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4060588_n.jpg

Nice and clean :0

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2494832_n.jpg

New inner tie rod plus lubey lube.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6158098_n.jpg

Other side

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2985047_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...5_542309_n.jpg

Put on the boots and you are donezo :)

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Next I removed the old lower ball joints and installed the new ones. The write up in the faq is really good but there is a much easier way to remove and install them. You don't need a press or shims or anything like that, in fact trying to use a press is a big pain. All you need is a hammer of your choice (I used a soft dead blow), 17mm deep socket, and retaining clip pliers. The easiest way possible to remove it is if you have air use an air hammer and this will take seconds.

First remove the knuckle from the car. Then remove the old boot, mine was missing lol. Then remove the retaining clip. After that go to the backside and remove the bearing guard ring thing, it overlaps the ball joint. Just use a flat head or pry bar, it pops right out.

The dark ring is the thing I'm talking about.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1788077_n.jpg

Here's it removed.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7101821_n.jpg

Here's the ball joint (this is already after I removed it so that's why it's sticking out)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8018999_n.jpg

Put a 17mm deep socket on the stud and whack away!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5519944_n.jpg

Blamo! You have now removed a ball joint :)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4856184_n.jpg

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Here's the new balljoint.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7226982_n.jpg

Start by removing the boot so it fits and you don't tear it on the install. Remove the key chain ring thing lol. I found the easiest way was to use a flat head and pry one side up and snake it up off the boot.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1997790_n.jpg

Boot off.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2490560_n.jpg

Slide the BJ into place, I used a little grease to help.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8036655_n.jpg

Use a soft hammer and whack it in. It's a funny angle so you might wanna use a punch or something.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7886860_n.jpg

Now install the retaining clip, now would also be the time to grease the BJ.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5718449_n.jpg

Install the boot and snap ring and you're done!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2871333_n.jpg

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Looking real good brother. This is my favorite quote by far- :leghump:

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Lol, thanks bro. I didn't even notice the hilarity of that sentance ;)

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

So now I'm on to the rear trailing arm bushing. I picked up a rear disk conversion from a 91 si for super cheap at a junk yard. The only bad thing was that the rotor screws were super stripped out. I tried using my impact screwdriver but managed to strip them even more and break one of my bits! I have a new trick now though that works every time. Use a punch and get it into one of the groves and hit it with a hammer losening up the screw. It's way easier than an impact screwdriver. After I got the old rotors off I started to cut out the bushing because with ES bushings you have to reuse the metal sleeves. I used the torch/knife trick heating the blade red hot and melting through the bushing. This works pretty well but leaves a lot of residue that needs to be cleaned. Also here is where I will insert my safety announcement. USE CAUTION AND WEAR GLOVES! Or this will happen.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1237617_n.jpg

The black stuff is melted skin/rubber bushing lol.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1945986_n.jpg

The weird thing is that it didn't hurt at all and didn't bleed for the first 40 minutes. The blade was red hot so it cauterized my nerves and tissue. I only needed 4 stiches. Sorry if this is grossing anyone out.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3713488_n.jpg

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Onto the tech! Here's all the tools I used. Tourch, die grinder with sanding pads, knife, and dollar store steak knives, which suck.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...4_181320_n.jpg

Here's the knife that got me. Bastard! lol

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5521174_n.jpg

Rear trailing arm

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4847281_n.jpg

Look how cracked that bushing is!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6392394_n.jpg

Part of the bushing cut out.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7350769_n.jpg

The left over rubber

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5996095_n.jpg

The best way I got this off was to burn the rubber with the tourch and scrape and cut it off.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4388296_n.jpg

Next to get the metal extemely clean for the new bushing I used a die grinder with sanding/scotch brite disks.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6041525_n.jpg

Here's the left over debitage.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1423460_n.jpg

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Now here's my question. Does anyone know which way you are supposed to put the ES bushing in, part number in or out?

Re: My 91 crx suspension/steering/brake rebuild
 

Nice pics of the carnage, lol. Is the bushing symmetrical? As long as it is, I don't think it matters which side the part number is on.