Just ordered some raceland coilovers because my shocks were blown anyway, and i like moar lowz, but in trying to prep for the install I've hit a road block. I cannot get my lower shock bolts lose in the rear. I've soaked then in penetrant, used heat, impact, strong arm, its really a wonder i didn't break one yet. So since I'm using a different set of lcas than what's on my car right now, I'mjust going to drop the shock and lca together.

But that leaves me with no bolts, so.......can i just go to the local hardware store and get bolts, or do i need to order them from Honda? I'm planning on going ahead and replacing all 6 bolts in the lca's.

If anybody knows the specs of the bolts of hand and would share the info, that would be appreciated as well.

 

It is probably recommended that you buy the correct bolts through a dealer because they are kinda specialized and are a certain grade strength. This is also a common problem and many people end up drilling them out. If you look on a website like acuraoemparts.com or mjajestic honda you will find the bots you are looking for and you can order through them online or just go to a local dealership an give them the part numbers you need. Good luck

 

It's fine to go to a hardware store and buy bolts, just make sure they are grade 8 or higher (or class 10.9 or higher, if metric).

That said I kind of prefer the OEM bolts for a few reasons.

 

I've broken a number of those LCA bolts when removing the rear suspension and I've always used the Honda bolts to replace them. I just don't trust a hardware store bolt for that type of use.. But that's just me.

 

Did you try PB blaster? I've never broken a bolt yet on any Honda suspension, but maybe I'm just lucky lol

 

It's not always enough.

 

Yeah, ask we stock is pb, and i swear by it, but it just want cutting out this time.

I was planning on getting them from Honda, because i figured the shaft would be slotted like the front sock bolts, but figured if see if there was any reason not to use hardware store bolts.

 

PB blaster is great, but I don't believe it reaches the problem that the LCA bolts have. The bolts seize to the metal collar inside the bushings. Which if PB blaster can't penetrate far enough into the bushings where the problem is, it is basically useless. A bit of heat(carefully done not to ruin the bushings) and using an impact gun carefully will be your best bet. But there's no guarantee.. What ever you do, just stay away from using a break bar.

 

Or keep a nice carbide bit on your reciprocating saw and have it handy. And say goodbye to your bushing.

 

That's why I'm swapping to another set of lca's, I'm putting new hard race bushings in them, so it's just a matter ofun bolt old, bolt up new.thanks for the replies everyone

 

Well in that case just get the bolts red hot so it melts the bushings in the middle where the problem is.always works for me