Number 3 on the picture, has anyone just replaced that section? If you have, is it relatively easy? I ask because my 92 hatch mated with a tow hitch of a suburban. Only the upper was damaged from what i can see and I'd much rather use OEM parts than replacing it with an aftermarket core support and the price of just the upper is similar to that of an aftermarket support.

Any input would be great, thanks.

 

Show pics of the damage. Are you sure the damage is isolated to just the upper bulkhead? Whether you change just the upper piece or the whole core support it's a pretty easy job if you have a decent amount of experience working on cars. Just removing everything that's attatched to it, drill out the spot welds, test fit the new piece, and then tack weld the new one in place. Once tack welded, put your car back together, close the hood, and make sure everything lines up. If all is good take it all back apart and finish welding it up permanently by welding the same locations as the original spot welds. Replacing the whole core support is a lot more involved but still fairly easy.

Here's a link to my myspace photos to give you an idea on how it's done when doing the whole core support. For just the upper piece it will be easier but the work involved is similar. Look at the pics for Civic part 1 or the one with the blue Prelude. http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...riendID=568608

 

wow that's some awesome work tony! thanks for sharing

So are there really only about 40 spot welds to drill out? with 90% of them being on the frame rail area?

I've been having a hard time finding a good condition OEM core support, and would much rather not buy an aftermarket one.

Here are pics of the damage, it looks like I could just get away with replacing the upper portion?

 

it does look like you can get away with just replacing the bulkhead, just make sure you measure everything. There are dial measurements on the internet that will show you what your lengths should be. they are cross sectioned diagrams from diagonal corner to corner,as long as they match up to the measurements you should be good for everything to line up. Im sure that middle support is bent but its a relatively thin piece of metal and can be manipulated back to straight. Oh and a rule of thumb in our shop, if a honda has any front end damage, replace the hood hinges even if you dont think they need to be, they are the first things to buckle, and the first thing to do when trying to get a front end back to proper.

 

Yes, make sure you measure everything multiple times. That piece was replaced in my integra and it was done really bad. Looks like they used a hammer to make it fit.

 

cool thanks for the info and tips guys. i'm looking forward to replacing this thing. Ijust wanted to try and avoid replacing the whole core support as much as possible.

hopefully I can find those measurement diagrams online.