Hey gang.
I've been learning more and more about cars recently, and ironicly the more I learn about cars, the more I learn how awesome mine is not.

The symptoms I'm trying to solve:
1. Steering wheel likes to jerk around a lot, especially on bumpy roads.
2. car pulls to the left like that's its job, despite the alignment I got 1 month ago.

Things that are suspicious:
-the left radius rod is missing the 1st bolt, but not the 2nd
-front sway bar bushings look like hell
-right lower ball joint is destroyed, but refuses to come out (I'm working on it)
-there's a bushing on a bar that runs from the tranny down the centerline of the car... it looks utterly twisted and destroyed... I can't describe the bar too well, other than it sits to the left of the exhaust pipe... there are 2, but this is the shorter one, and more "leftward" one...
-left axle shaft was actually broken in the CV boot before I replaced it.

My (I hope) solution:
-Get 2nd bolt for radius rod
-replace right lower balljoint
-install Energy Suspension hyperflex kit?
-do a DIY alignment and hope all is right with the world?

Stuff I replaced: left lower balljoint, left axle, right axle.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

P.S. what tools are needed for the E.S. kit install? I hoped to install the majority of them by hand, or with a big clamp/vice...

oh yeah- 1989 CRX w/ b16a

 

Uh as far as the full energy suspension install I had my shop do it and they were telling me about how hard it was and how much torching they had to do, etc. If you're doing it yourself, good luck. Also, it doesn't include a bushing for the shift linkage if you're running a b16, and it's missing another important bushing (can't remember exactly what).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jesterian &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Uh as far as the full energy suspension install I had my shop do it and they were telling me about how hard it was and how much torching they had to do, etc. If you're doing it yourself, good luck. Also, it doesn't include a bushing for the shift linkage if you're running a b16, and it's missing another important bushing (can't remember exactly what).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well I replaced the Rear Trailing Arm bushings myself, which meant using a sawzaw and a torch, but getting it in wasn't really a problem. I was wondering if there are any that need to be pressed in by a machine shop or something.

 

Umm... some more ideas/ comments?

 

does the steering wheel shake like crazy when you brake from 40mph or higher??

 

My 91 Civic Si shakes when braking...

What is it?

 

search "Rack End Bushing"

 

Thanks, must be a common problem?

 

replace your steering rack end bushing and adjust the pinion gearbox while youre down there.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1117870

and also check the condition of your tie rods.

i dont recommend replacing your suspension bushings with energy suspension. thats not likely your problem anyway.

there are ways to DIY alignment with the right tools and knowledge, but i HIGHLY recommend you pay a professional to get it done.


Modified by Tyson at 11:25 AM 5/4/2006

 

When you did an alignment, how were your numbers?

My old EF had frame damage causing it to have caster problems. The wheel was very easy to turn, and every bump in the road caused my steering to wander...sometimes when there is a crack or something on the road that was going in the same direction i was driving and my tire got in it, the car turned into a train, had to yank the wheel out of the crack to keep it going where i wanted it to. Scary, especially in the rain.

 

double check your SAI and IA angles

make sure your rubber components are all still good and replace any worn components

 

Yeah I think you guys hit the nail on the head... car does like to shake when braking... also, if I "race" and shift hard, when the clutch grabs, it might as well be grabbing my wheel, because my wheels turn a good 15+ degrees to the left. felt like I was going to end up in a different lane.

I'll get right on replacing the steering rack end bushing.
Thanks guys.

 

Hey do you have a pick of your car? cuz i want to see how low it sit before i get the suspension that you have...and how is that ebay intake working for you?