I had hit a curb going 50. Intially it looked like only the lower control arm was bent. When i started to replace the control arm I noticed the location where the arm is connected to the body is also bent and slightly broken. I will like to replace the ream beam myself and am wondering if someone has a guide/howto on it. Mine is a 1996 accord (5speed). Are there any "gotchas" to be aware of? Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

 

I don't have the time to rewrite the Helms manual. Everything you need to know is in there step by step with illustrations. Honda shop manual/Helms manual You should pick one up!

 

Thank you for your reply, ghostAccord. I dont have access to helms manual and the chilton/haynes have no information on it. I am not asking to rewrite the helms manual but only some guidance from the pros.

Thanks.


Modified by TouringAccord at 8:51 AM 9/29/2008

 

I did this in my 95 EX years ago.

I've written the steps out that are required for this before, if you search in the archives I'm sure you can find it. If not, I'll try finding it later.

 

I believe this is the post you were referring to:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2061089

Many thanks TouringAccord!!

 

Following the instructions from the ealier post (https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2061089 )

Can someone please describe the process to remove the rack and pinion out of the beam?

I was able to remove the beam with the rack and pinion still in it. Got confused about the following:

-Now disconnect the power steering lines from the power steering rack.

-Now remove the driver side tie rod from the power steering rack.

are these the power steering lines? as shown in this pic:



About the tie rod, is the instruction about removing the tie rod end


or the inner one which has a cover on it?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

yep thank you for using the search feature

yes, those look like the lines you need to disconnect from the rack to drop the rack out of the subframe.

remove the tie rod end, sorry about that. No need to remove the inner, just remove the end.

Looking back at that thread it looks like I may have missed a step I think you need to turn the steering wheel to the left til it stops, this way when you remove the tie rod end the inner tie rod will be able to pass through the subframe and allow the steering rack to finish being removed.

 

Now that the rack and pinion is separated from the car, is it safe/wise to turn it left? i'm worried about the steering wheel aligning properly with the rack in terms of turning?

 

So two questions at this time.
1. how do I adjust the steering as I connect it back. When I had disconnected the steering column the tires were straight but to remove the rack I had to turn it to one side so it could slide out.

2. After connecting the beam back to the car, the engine mount hole is slightly off. Also noticed that the center beam is not properly aligning. It is almost as if the front beam moved a little inwards to car. I have the car on stands and the engine was supported/raised on a jack.

Any suggestions/tips on how to align these?

Thanks!


Modified by zmofny at 9:20 PM 10/11/2008