I'm just posting this here to share my experience. Maybe it will help somebody in the future avoid the same problem.

I've been running on Apexi WS coilovers for about 18 months. I was pretty low, basicly no fender gap at all. I had been getting a clunking on acceleration and while turning. I figured I needed an inboard CV. I decided to replace both front axles since the car has 210k on it and I plan on keeping it for a while. So I bought new axles since I've heard so may stories about people getting bad remans. I take the car out for a spin with the new axles and the car vibrates like crazy over about 30mph. I talked to the guy who built the axles and through a little bit of discussion, he convinced me to try raising the car up. Vibration stopped. He explained to me what was going on inside the CVs to make it happen and it makes sense to me.

I was ready to swap the trans, since I figured it was a bad diff. I'm glad it's not.


SO anyway. Has anyone else ever had/heard of this problem? I have a 99 accord, and I know most people here have crx/civic/tegs, so not sure if their suspension design is differnt enough to make this not apply to them.

Oh and try and keep the "slammed is rice" comments to a minimum. I know why you shouldn't slam a car ( and facking how after this ), I was just going for "the look". guess I learned my lesson.

 

You want your axles as straight as possible, to minimize wear on the CV joints. The car was designed to keep the axle as straight as possible (as straight as the manufacturer could get them anyway with regards to chassis and transmission placement) under normal useage. With a car lowered 3+", you're running them at an angle all the time, and will be putting more stress on them.

1) Get stronger axles.
2) Raise the car.
3) Accept an inaccurate speedometer, raise the suspension, and run smaller diameter tires. This will keep the chassis at the same height, but not have the suspension altered as far from stock.

Oh wait, if you're doing this for purely appearance purposes, disregard #3, as it will increase the "wheel gap". If its purely for cosmetic purposes, raise the suspension and get larger diameter tires. You'll need 2" more tire diameter for 1" higher suspension setting, but that will keep the flushed look with less suspension geometry change from stock. Again, the speedometer will be off. 245/45-18s anyone? Those and a 275/40-18 are the largest diameter street tire I've ever seen. I suppose there's "street truck" tires that are bigger though.

Also, I've heard of Prelude owners just chewing through axles when they have their UCAs swapped left to right. Might be worth checking into. I know my Integra went from 1* caster to 2.5* caster flipping them, so your caster should be off if they're flipped. Not even sure if you can do that to an Accord though.

 

yeah I'm just going with #2 - raise the car. To be honest, I can't tell too much difference in the handling, and it sure as hell rides a lot better.

I'm pretty sure you could swap the UCAs, but I've owned the car since new, I'm certain they haven't been.

 

Yea I have H+R race springs on mine (which lower the car a noticable amount more then advertised)... going to be going on to the third pass. side axle in three months. After I pay for this next axle I'm going to go with some eibach sportlines...maybe even the pro-kits for the FUV look.