Notices
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Rear Compensator arm ??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-04-2013, 11:18 AM
  #1  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
gutted-dx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: OH/OR
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Rear Compensator arm ??

Finally pulled the trigger and decided the take off my rear suspension. The very last bolt was on the compensator arm bolt to the body. Of course it just spins inside the body. My question is can I just cut a whole in the floor and put a wrench on the other end? What is that best way to go at it this?


Thanks
Joe
Old 11-04-2013, 11:29 AM
  #2  
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (3)
 
purgat0ry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

Soak the fool in some type of penetrating oil, apply some heat, and bust that baby off.
Good luck, god speed o7
Old 11-04-2013, 11:41 AM
  #3  
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (1)
 
94CivicSi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Providence, RI, USA
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

I once saw a post where someone cut a little access hole through the bottom of the little "box" to gain access to the nut, then welded the access hole closed after they were done.
Old 11-04-2013, 11:45 AM
  #4  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
gutted-dx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: OH/OR
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

94CivicSi, so there is a nut on the inside the put a wrench on?
Old 11-04-2013, 12:19 PM
  #5  
Honda-Tech Member
 
B_Swapped93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto,Ontario
Posts: 9,721
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

Which bolt are we talking about ? having a hard time picturing it, is it the subframe to LCA one ?
Old 11-04-2013, 12:46 PM
  #6  
Seagull Management
 
94EG8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Miramichi, NB, Canada
Posts: 15,150
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 22 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

You can cut an access hole, but it needs to big enough for vice grips, that nut is round on the outside, it has no flat sides for a wrench.
Old 11-05-2013, 05:28 AM
  #7  
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (1)
 
94CivicSi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Providence, RI, USA
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

Originally Posted by gutted-dx
94CivicSi, so there is a nut on the inside the put a wrench on?
It's got (2) flat edges.

Here's that thread I was thinking of. https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/compensator-arm-question-pic-how-fix-broken-bolt-2076074/ Scroll down to post #10 for a nice write up with photos.
Old 11-05-2013, 11:54 AM
  #8  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
gutted-dx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: OH/OR
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

Thanks for the responses!

So I should leave the hole open for the alignment right? So should I replace the tab with a washer and nut? I doubt ill be able to put it back into the slot.
Old 11-05-2013, 12:51 PM
  #9  
Seagull Management
 
94EG8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Miramichi, NB, Canada
Posts: 15,150
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 22 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

Originally Posted by gutted-dx
I doubt ill be able to put it back into the slot.
You'll have to, you'll never get it lined up otherwise.
Old 11-06-2013, 12:55 AM
  #10  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
gutted-dx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: OH/OR
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

So if that little bracket rusts off i'm pretty much screwed?
Old 11-06-2013, 02:54 AM
  #11  
Seagull Management
 
94EG8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Miramichi, NB, Canada
Posts: 15,150
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 22 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

Originally Posted by gutted-dx
So if that little bracket rusts off i'm pretty much screwed?
Yes. If it is rusted off you can try to cut up a junked car for the nut and track and weld it on in the right place, or try a nut and washer like you said, but I don't think it will hold the alignment for any length of time doing the latter.
Old 11-06-2013, 04:36 AM
  #12  
Honda-Tech Member
 
Grape Ape Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

Originally Posted by 94EG8
Yes. If it is rusted off you can try to cut up a junked car for the nut and track and weld it on in the right place, or try a nut and washer like you said, but I don't think it will hold the alignment for any length of time doing the latter.
I am asking this out of curiosity, Isnt the flanged threaded piece (t nut if you will) nothing more than a nut and washer(welded together) captured in the frame? not saying it would be a perfect fix but with threadlock and it tightened properly i would assume this is the same thing as having that factory tnut back in place!?!
Old 11-06-2013, 05:04 AM
  #13  
Seagull Management
 
94EG8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Miramichi, NB, Canada
Posts: 15,150
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 22 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

The slide it runs adds some rigidity and thickness. I think you'll come to find that a nut and washer will loosen over time and start wearing the hole in the body where the bolt goes through bigger. I had the same problem with a front LCA, I cut an access hole and put a wrench on the formerly welded nut, tightened with a really good impact, but I could never keep it tight for very long, finally I just gave up and replaced the subframe, the hole was pretty baggy at that point.

Last edited by 94EG8; 11-06-2013 at 10:35 AM.
Old 11-06-2013, 06:35 AM
  #14  
Honda-Tech Member
 
Grape Ape Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

the nut your using isnt held in by anything if it is allowed to move in that slotted holder.... its does not allow the nut to spin. The cage that holds the nut is held in with 2 spot welds, its not a stout structual piece. Spot welds are great in shear, this is not adding any support to the surrounding metal. Again nut and washer with loctite or a nylock nut and washer should provide the same support as the above for a fix. I think assumptions of the cages ability to support the surrounding metal are incorrect.
Old 11-06-2013, 10:21 AM
  #15  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
gutted-dx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: OH/OR
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Rear Compensator arm ??

Originally Posted by Grape Ape Guy
the nut your using isnt held in by anything if it is allowed to move in that slotted holder.... its does not allow the nut to spin. The cage that holds the nut is held in with 2 spot welds, its not a stout structual piece. Spot welds are great in shear, this is not adding any support to the surrounding metal. Again nut and washer with loctite or a nylock nut and washer should provide the same support as the above for a fix. I think assumptions of the cages ability to support the surrounding metal are incorrect.
I guess I'll find out soon!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DougNuts
Suspension & Brakes
14
09-08-2012 08:46 AM
MrToxygen
Honda CRX / EF Civic (1988 - 1991)
4
04-27-2010 06:11 PM
ophdehEEzY
Acura Integra
8
09-08-2003 04:53 PM
MeanGreenEG9
Tech / Misc
5
09-18-2002 04:24 PM
CivicEK.PDX
Tech / Misc
15
09-12-2002 06:42 PM



Quick Reply: Rear Compensator arm ??



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:51 PM.