FourthGenHatch

I just got mine today and after reading the instructions I am pleasently surprised. I thought I had to drill holes in the crossmembers but apparently it comes with 2 heavy duty brackets that go where the tow hooks go, so no drilling that I know of. I went and pieced it all together so I know how everything goes and made sure I had all of the parts.

How easy/hard is this to actually install, doesn't look that bad.

Also, do I HAVE to smash off the bolt on the strut or can I skip that and it will work fine?

lilcasino

I dont know about the nut on a 88-91 civic but on the 92-95 you just reverse the shock around so that the welded nut faces the rear.

keithv

it looks like from this pic (courtesy of driven)


and this one (courtesy of driven)


that you shouldn't have to hammer off the fixed nut on the strut. not sure why St says to do that and i can't remember if there was a reason when i helped tbone install his swaybar.

give it a try without hammering off the nut. worse comes to worse, you'll have to take it a apart and do it over.



[Modified by breaka_1_9, 10:41 AM 8/2/2002]

FourthGenHatch

If anyone is positive let know, and I only care about EF as the others are different.

Aron Parsons

you have to cut the welded nut off so that the ST bracket will mount flush to the shock. other than that, everything is straight bolt-on, no skill required (except maybe squeezing the bushings over the bar, watch your fingers!). good luck, it's easy.

Mugen Dom

so on the 88 u need to cut it off the control arm im guessin

keithv

i hear what your saying. i wonder if you could just rotate the shock body 180 of the stock install and not hammer off the nut?

just seeing if there is a simplier way of doing the install. if i ever do one, i'll use my friend's air chisel. it takes like 5 seconds to get the nut to come off.


yeah i would think so. that would make me a bit leery.


[Modified by breaka_1_9, 1:30 PM 8/2/2002]

JOEY F.

HMMM....I see how it would bolt up to the 89-91 rear LCA's but how about the 88's..(inboard shock mount)...NE manufacturer that makes and easy to install sway bar fer the 88 LCA???

Driven

Installation of ST Rear Sway Bar:
It comes with everything you need... the instructions even tell you to hack off the welded nut off the shock - DO THIS! Rotating it won't work either, cause you'll have the spring perch on the wrong side...plus the bolt thread.

Here's the easiest way to hack that welded nut off:

1. Grab a heavy hammer.
2. Grab the shock.
3. grab a chisel or large strong flat-head screwdriver.
4. bring stuff to an open area where a flying object won't break or damage anything (empty garage works).
5. Stand the shock on the forks and place the shock between your legs
6. place screwdriver on one of the spot welds of the shock nut.
7. hammer the crap out of it until it flies off (it will shoot far too...)

viola... no more welded nut. the ST bar comes with a nut to use... use it!

About the '88 LCAs... couldn't tell ya. You're screwed! Just get 89-91 LCAs and forget the stamped pieces...you're gonna have hell forever if you use them.


[Modified by Driven, 1:13 PM 8/2/2002]

Jaker

You could easily use the 88 LCAs. You just need to use a spacer to move the ST bracket out a bit , and use a slightly longer bolt. I will not loose my 88 LCAs, because I am running a set of ITR Teins, and would not part with them for anything less.

91cvcsi

does anyone have a problem with the sway bar resting against the shock...after looking at those pics it looks like my sway is sitting to far foward...anyone know?

mackymcg

ST sells a adapter kit for the 88 LCA. It's anti-swaybar adapter kit #55320. There a way to use it without the kit that was on the resource board in the autocross forum.

ncrx1

quote
" - DO THIS! Rotating it won't work either, cause you'll have the spring perch on the wrong side...plus the bolt thread."

but the koni yellow spring perch comes loose/separate piece, b/c of the adjustable spring perch height. So u can rotate it.

I don't get what u mean about the bolt thread though, kuz u'd just be bolting it in from the other end neways.

but i could be wrong


[Modified by ncrx1, 2:55 PM 8/2/2002]

JOEY F.

SOWEEEEET! ..thanks...i guess us JDM REAR lca users arent screwed after all! Whew....

Driven

i don't know of any other shock that comes with this though...

FourthGenHatch

Actually I have my KYB GR2s still in the box and I was looking at them and the screw on the ST Bar won't thread into that nut on the KYB so it is too small, so thats why you need to bash it off. It doesn't look like it's welded on that great though so a pry bar and hammer should take it off.