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HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem

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Old 07-15-2002, 08:03 PM
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Default HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem

I bought this car a little over 7 months ago. Its is a 96 Civic EX Coupe. The previous owner had been in a small accident and was hit in the left front. We got a great deal on it, and it had already been fixed so we bought it. Just Recently i noticed that the left front wheel was slightly further back in the wheel well than the right front. Im suspecting a castor issue, that when it was hit they put a right side upper control arm instead of a left upper control arm. Supposdly, swapping control arms will induce 2 degrees of castor on a civic.

Any other suggestions as to what could cause the wheel to sit further back?

Should I, if the upper control arm is the problem, replace it by itself or should i buy other stock parts also? If so which parts?

Please help me quickly!!!

Thanks in advance
Old 07-15-2002, 08:45 PM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

come on guys i really need some help!!!!!
Old 07-15-2002, 08:46 PM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

YOu need to figure out what is messed up obviously.

We can't see your car so we cant tell you what is messed up

So find broke or bent parts and REPLACE.

What else do you want any of us to tell you?
Old 07-15-2002, 08:48 PM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

they put a right side upper control arm instead of a left upper control arm. Supposdly, swapping control arms will induce 2 degrees of castor on a civic.
I never heard this. Can it even be done???
Old 07-15-2002, 08:48 PM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (tonyxcom)

take it to a body shop and have em put it on the frame racks..they can measure **** and see whats out of spec.
Old 07-16-2002, 02:35 AM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

replace left lower control arm, likely was missed.
Old 07-16-2002, 01:15 PM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

Ok thanks for the input

I just took it to a shop and they checked everything, nothing is bent or broken but somehow the caster is off.

I was under the impression that castor was not adjustable on a 6 gen civic so how do i fix it?

Does having the wrong upper control arm affect the caster or is that a myth?

Thanks
Old 07-16-2002, 01:17 PM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

No it is not a myth, sevral road racers I know have done this on thier integra's and civics, it is very possiable that they put the wrong upper control arm on the car. If the rest of the car is strait then buy the correct upper control arm and see what happens.

P.S. For those who would like to try it, increasing your caster will make your car harder to turn.
Old 07-17-2002, 03:33 AM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

castor is off because of bent parts, seen it many times. Usually a bent LCA, I've got 2 myself from last wreck. I swapped on some Teg LS LCA's I had laying around.
Old 07-17-2002, 10:21 AM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

I'm having the same problem after a big wreck. It's in the shop (again, someone backed into it...) and have 'em throw it on the frame machine and hopefully get to the bottom of it. Check your LCA and front subframe assembly (it looks like my subframe is a bit loose. This 0 castor is causing my car to be excessively "loose" at high speed, and the steering doesn't feedback quite like it should.
Old 07-17-2002, 12:20 PM
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Default Re: HELP...MAJOR Suspension Problem (falcon_rar)

friend had the same problem on his 99 Si after having a run-in w/ a curb. It was in fact a bent LCA.
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