Hi guys. I've got this ancient 91 wagon with 333,000 miles, and I am planning on rebuilding the engine (overhauling it). However, the suspension and brake systems seem to have taken their toll due to age. The brake pedal is very stiff and stops too slowly, and the suspension is wobbly.

Being that I am a beginning in car building and don't know what to get, I want to know what I need to buy and replace in order to rejuvenate the suspension and the brakes.

If someone can just list the parts I probably need it would very appreciated.

Maybe there is a thread devoted to this subject I could check out.


Thnks


Misha.

 

Nobody knows anything? A list of parts would be great. My brakes and suspension are bad.

 

Ah well, I tried.

 

Patience, Daniel-Son

Someone will be with you soon, they are probably enjoying the good weather and off work today.

 

Fellow '91 wagon owner here with 315k. Upper control arms are easy to replace yourself without any special tools other than a torque wrench. Check the FAQs. You can go with aftermarket there because they are an easy half day job at most. That and possbily worn tie rod ends on your steering rack are probably what's causing the wobble. The lower ball joints have to be pressed into the knuckle or there's Youtube video showing a guy knocking them out and back in with a hammer. You can knock them out easy but I recomend at least a ball joint press like the one I rented from AutoZone near me. I don't feel good about my aim while hammering new ball joints. OEM from Hondapartsunlimited.com didn't cost me much more than aftermarket. Getting everying off so the knuckle is bare and ready to work with takes a bit of knowhow. I recomend all OEM parts on the front end except for the UCAs, they are easy to do if you have issues down the road and there's no aligment adjustment on them. I snagged some 3 month old OEM UCAs, off a rear-ended car, from Ebay. I got a rebuilt OEM steering rack from the RackDoctor online. Look him up, lifetime gurantee. I used new OEM mounting bushings when I put the rebuilt rack in and that's helped cut down road noise. My old ones were like rock. I went with KYB Excel-G struts all around from Justsuspension.com. You can re-use your old rubbers when replacing the struts but going with new ones may also cut down road noise like it did for me.

I haven't done anything in the rear or with my brakes so can't help you there. Could you possibly have a bad brake booster? Is there any hissing when you use the brake? If I ever have to replace rear susp bushings I will probably look for a disk brake set-up off another car. It all bolts in if you have the proper parking cables too...again FAQs.

All hoses for steering and A/C I replaced with OEM. There's a guy on Ebay selling Denso A/C pump resealing kits and provides a Youtube link on how to do it yourself. Just need the seal tool/sleeve (also he sells), some mineral oil and a torque wrench. Also replaced the dryer and press switch then recharged it at a shop for $100. Works better than ever now.

A possible source for a motor is www.hmotorsonline.com. I've been considering a change up if I have to make a decision regarding my engine. I have what sounds like a couple rod knocks when it's cold. I don't know if that's low oil pressure or some big clearances in my rod bearings or both.

Spend some time browsing the FAQs. Good luck.

 

If your car has power brakes verify that the booster is working.

With the car off pump the pedal several times to release any built up vacuum.
Place your foot firmly on the brake pedal, and start the car, the brake pedal should drop ~1". If it does the booster is working. If it does not drop the booster is not providing assist. Find out if it is actually the booster or if the vacuum supply is not hooked up.