So today I decided to do my timing belt (which was a huge fail), and decided to take off my bumper,fenders,lights, etc for fun just to get a feel of how the front end is put together. But anyway, I'm just curious how the true "builders" out there can manage to strip their cars down to NOTHING, and put it back together? I'm sure you break clips, etc... Because i've noticed that once i take off (say a door panel) it NEVER fits the same... Do you use the honda epc to get blown up diagrams of every bolt, etc? I'm itching to take alot of stuff off the front end and do it RIGHT (car was wrecked twice), and there is some missing bolts, clips, etc that I need to figure out... Just would like some advice before tearing it back down... Also, does anyone have a writeup on adjusting b16a2 valves?

 

Alot of people just tear into their car. Others, like myself, label everything as it's being taken off. If everything is gonna be torn down for a while, i usually put bolts, screws, nuts, clips etc into sandwich bags and label the bags for what part they belong to. I don't like missing parts or extras at the end. If it helps you, take pictures of stuff as you take it apart. I don't know what year your car is, but those plastic clips get fragile after time. Just be careful when you're pulling it apart, and expect to have to replace some clips... good luck with everything.

 

It's not difficult, it really isn't. While converting my friend's 97 4 door to RHD we removed everything. All glass, doors, everything.

As you long as you lable everything, and have the space to store things, and the main thing is to not loose anything!

It's going back togther, slowly but surely.

Don't be suprised, or mad when you break those most clips. I am missing several on my door panels, it's not a "huge deal". Most clips, for the door panels and such can be bought from autozone for not much money. Or go to honda your call.

What clips are you missing? bolts? I replaced EVERY bolt/clip on the front of my car, not to difficult, most are the same.

 

Yeah dude, until your comfortable to do tear downs without labels n what not, make sure you label and bag everything. EG and EK tear downs ive done soooooo many of them that stuff like that is second nature. I put all the bolts in magnetic trays in the order i took them out and i get 99% percent of the stuff back where it goes. Do it enough and you'll get it. And yeah, hont-tech has helped me through many of my first tear down with the FAQ's. Had my laptop out in the garage with me with HT up on my internet browser lol. And other stuff i just figured it out. May have broke stuff in the process but know i now

I had the same thoughts when i did my first clutch and tranny R&R. My master-tech was able to just take the bolts out, throw them in a tray and get them all back in the right place. In my mind i was like, how the hell does he do that!?!?! lol but now i get it. Now i can do the same thing whem i do clutches and/or trannys

 

If I'm going to do something I inspect the area first. If I think something's going to snap or break I order replacement parts before had. I follow a manual for disassembly and reassembly and TAKE MY TIME. I also use the right tools and keep track of everything.

 

I guess my situation is a bit different... The previous owners kind of half assed putting the front end back together, alot of missing bolts, body panels don't line up for nothing, etc. I've done a cylinder head on an 05 jetta, and used baggies to label bolts, etc, but when ripping out the dash, etc, i'm sure it can be difficult to remember the routing of all the harnesses, etc. When you put everything back together, do the rattles and looseness go away? or is it worse?

 

I just label and usually buy new screws and replace them.

 

Sometimes stuff just never goes back on as good as it was prior to removing it. You get get little rattles here and there

 

Over the years I've pretty much memorized many components of these cars from having to tear them apart numerous times. Read: experience.
True "builders", those who do it for a living, know their cars inside and out.

How many people in this forum can swap an axle in less than half an hour with hand tools and no lift? Many.

 

Practice makes perfect. The only way to get experience is to dig in.