i just picked up some struts off a 90 crx that i found in the junkyard. i got home and took off my tire off my 89 crx dx and saw that the LCA was different and also how the struts mounted on. so do i have to grab the LCA off the 90 crx for them to work on my 89?

 

if im not mistaken it should still work/fit

 

the 88 crx had "ITR" style rear lower control arms. 89-91 have the same.

 

Top = 1988 rear LCA
Bottom = 1989-91 rear LCA

The rear struts for an 88 have an eyehole style bottom and mount inside the rear LCA.
The rear struts for 89-91 have a bracket style bottom, and mount around the outside of the LCA.