Okay. I was trying to disassemble my rear suspension on my 1988 CRX in order to change the bushings. But I ran into a MAJOR problem. Basically, some of the bolts on both rear lower control arms have managed to rust-weld themselves to the sleeves on the bushings, making them impossible to remove. In fact, I managed to shear off one of the bolt heads and really badly round off another to the point that a socket ALWAYS slips off. So the best (and perhaps only) option at this point in time appears to be replacement of the rear suspension parts. One option is to use the rear suspension from my wrecked 1989 HB (ie the newer style). The other option, of course, is to get the 1988 stuff at the local Pick-And-Pull. The 1988 stuff will cost money. But the 1989 stuff is, of course, free. This gives me a GOOD reason to go with the newer setup. But am I going to lose alot of the crisp cornering that this car has given me in the past (due to less radical passive rear wheel steering)? Or is it really something you hardly notice? In other words, is it worth it to buy the older parts rather than use the newer stuff (which is available to me for free)? Also, is the newer stuff even a direct bolt-on without any modifications?

 

You can change it over to the 89-91 suspension in the rear but I would suggest some heat on it first. And you can get it hot enough for it to release.

 

The "passive rear steer" is in where the front toe links bolts up to the body. The location is different between the 88 and 89-91. Credit Tyson for clearing this up in a past thread that I cannot find.
HTH
chris

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StorminMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But am I going to lose alot of the crisp cornering that this car has given me in the past (due to less radical passive rear wheel steering)? Or is it really something you hardly notice? </TD></TR></TABLE>

the loose rear end "feeling" you have wont be gone if you update the rear suspension. thats not where the difference is. i am using newer rear arms and still get it.

youve been fooled into thinking theres something called "passive rear steering", and that it has anything to do with the rear control arms.

heres more info.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1268359

 

if im not mistaken but th 88 91 crx civic susp. didnt change in the rear.the 91 came with rear dic brakes i think the front is the same too.someone please correct me if i am wrong.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vteckillenzc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">someone please correct me if i am wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes you are wrong and yes you need corrected. The 88 suspension is different from the 89-91 suspension. The 88 have ITR type struts where as the 89-91 have a fork at the LCA in the rear.

 

And the 90-91 Si had rear disc, but the control arms and trailing arms are all the same between the disc and drum cars.