dgmorr

1993 Civic Hatch DX
I tried to search, but the search function is unavailable right now.

Anyway, I'm trying to replace my shocks. I had some rattling that I thought were some bushings, but couldn't find any bad bushings. I have discovered that the stock shock shaft has play and moves around in the shock body. I tried unbolting the shock bolt on the LCA, but it's siezed. I used a 8"(?) handle and tried to use the weight of the car to come down on it so as to generate some good force, but it's siezed. I moved on to trying that method on the bolt that holds the LCA to the trailing arm, but still stuck! Will the constant impact of an air tool help at all? I'm about to give up and might just take it to the garage, I know that will be a lot of labour. I don't mind replacing the LCA with some trick arms, I just want all that rattling gone. Are there any other methods to at least getting the LCA/Shock off?

MikeD718

My bolts were stuck too. The heads broke off and i ended up drilling them out. its a common problem. if you try it yourself be ready for a big job.

dgmorr

Did you use air tools to try and get them off? I might just cut the bolt holding the shock to the LCA. Where can I buy replacements? Home Depot?

civic_driver

home depot ones are not strong enough...

best place to get stock is online since they're a little cheaper.. don't even go to the local dealership, they will rip you a new ******* with their prices

dgmorr

What size are they? What are they called? I have bad luck when buying bolts of the poper size.

Mark D. Surface

The bolt that holds the shock to the LCA is called a damper bolt, part# 90172-SK7-A01
I got a pair from the dealership for $27. I also had to replace the LCA because the bolt was rusted to the bushing.

RacingShoeBox

i did my suspension 2 weeks ago (koni yellows/tein) and that happened to me on both rears shyt just snapped... i took it to the mechanic for the first one and cost me 120 (i had to because i wasnt home at the time so i couldnt leave it there) but when the second one broke i drilled it out myself

suggest
titanium drill bits (NEEDED i broke about 3 reg ones and actually broke one titanium one)

the other drill bits just strip because this aint no sucker of a bolt also you are gona need a dremel i havent found one 2 finish it so the end is kind of rigidy but after you do that just get a grade 8 bolt in and put washers on both sides youll be fine... it took me 2 days of work 2 get the bolt out was such a bitch go with titanium bits only dont waste your money

L8apex

And when you put it back together, anti-seize is your friend.

civic_driver

cut the bolt in two places around the shock and towards the "welded nut" side leave some slack from the bolt. This way, once you cut it, you can use vise grips to take out the rest of the bolt from the nut. It will take some heating (propane torch) some spray of WD-40 or PB Blaster and a lot of twisting force.

I had to cut 4 bolts and do that same procedure on all 4 of them. The problematic bolts are usually those with the most pressure on them (shock is stuck the most, then the outer ones towards the wheels). The ones in the middle usually come out no problem.

Good luck, and know that the bolts at the dealershipg bolts are a rip off.

THe size of the bolts are as follows:

LCA bolt: 10x80x1.25 (fine thread)
Shock bolt: 10x85x1.25 (fine thread)

make sure it's a bolt that is rated for automotive use (zinc plated, tempered, etc.)

that's if you go with a bolt from anywhere besides the dealership..

at my local dealership, they wanted $12 a piece for the 80mm (lca) bolt and $14 a piece for the 85mm (shock) bolt. You do the math.

dgmorr

What about replacing that nut that the bold screws into? I'm not too sure what to do about that.

EL Vap133

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dgmorr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What about replacing that nut that the bold screws into? I'm not too sure what to do about that.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Did the nut come off? It's supposed to be welded onto the shock. I have a set of those bolts you need if you're interested.

civic_driver

i didn't cut the nut even though it'd be much easier if you do... but then it'd be harder to tighten the bolts since the new bolt you use will slide around AND it might not be sitting flat if you cut a curve at the nut/lca weld...

so i cut the bolt on the inside, and heated the bolt that's left in the welded nut and took it out with some vise grips...

Mista Bone

cut the bolt on both side of the LCA, replace the bushing ( http://www.suspension.com ) and using a air chisel remove the welded nut.