I've read the guides, it doesn't seem too bad but i'm not a mechanic by any means, i work with electronics so I am mechanically minded in some way but don't have a ton of experience other than putting bolt on mods on, can remove tires, install breaks rotors and simple stuff like that.

I need to replace the upper control arm (if it's just bent a bit can i just hammer it out and it'll be fine or is that not safe?)

I also have to replace the steering knuckle; tbh i dont even know what it looks like or how damaged it is. I know it's expensive to buy brand new but i can get one used pretty cheap. How difficult is this to install compared to say the upper control arm (which doesn't seem too bad for me)?

Can i do these repairs myself just to learn how to do it and for fun without messing up my suspension badly or should i just get someone who knows what they are doing to do it?

can a regular old person take on these repairs if they are good at fixing things in general, have the right tools, parts and time? To redo the suspension and buy one of those kits, is it that hard to do it all as well? i'm sure the integra could use it, everything is probably rusted out anyway.

 

Front upper control arms are very easy. Thr hardest part is getting the stupid cotter pin out of the hole. You can download manuals from hondahookup.com. you'll have to register (its free). Or find a DIY online.

Not sure what you mean by installing a kit....but anything on the rear suspension will most likely be difficult if the car has been driven on salted roads. You'll have to cut and torch a few things off and buy new components.

 

There are a few "finer points" in suspension install. Like not tightening bushing bolts till the arm is in the position it will be at ride height.

Use a torque wrench (on ball joint nuts especially). Don't use a pickle fork to seperate ball joints that you know you will re use.

Honda suspensions are very simple and very straight forward. Not a lot of secrets to doing suspension work.

 

Once you get the wheel off just take a look at how its setup and you'll realize how easy it is. As for the steering knuckle (tie rod end) when you back the lock nut off and get the ball joint loose count how many turns it take for it to come off and do the same amount putting it back on. As it will take a few spins to remove it. That will get you close enough for you to get to an alignment shop without it being crazy outta whack.

 

one of the easier cars. i did all energy suspension bushings in mine, not that bad

one word of caution. the main lower control arm bushings only last 30-40k miles or so if you use poly. they are under the most stress and the poly bushings sand themselves to the point you get slop. rest of the car they work fine. i didn't even mind the lower trailing arms

i would use rubber on the front LCA,

rear trailing arms it's also a maybe.

one nice thing about poly is you don't have to clock them

 

The only "hard" part will be the axel nut PB blaster and a 3/4''dr breaker bar recommended lol or an impact if you have the access. you can't hammer the UCA straight very easy to replace your replacing the FR suspension only right from the guy backing into you ?.

 

^yeah that's what i'm attempting to do but it's rusty down there and if it's easy enough to replace the bushings and tie rods then i may as well get them at the same time but i don't want to overwhelm myself and mess it all up

the strut bushing has kind of a groove in it but i think it's supposed to be like that but other than that i can only really tell that the upper control arm is bent a bit downwards, the knuckle doesn't look bad to me but i know about nothing about suspension.

i wish i could just bend the upper control arm up a bit and call it a day but if it's not too hard i may as well just do it properly. I'm trying to find a really good labeled diagram of the integra suspension, hopefully hondahookup has something for me.

Other than that nothing really looks that bad in there, nothing is cracked, the alignment isn't' even that bad, it pulls a bit to the left but so did my old RSX after the strut got messed up. The strut feels fine while driving the integra though so i'm hoping it's just the control arm and knuckle that are just bent a bit. I wouldn't say anything is even close to being warped or cracked.

is it relatively safe to drive my integra like this, say just lightly for a couple days and then to possibly get it hoisted or have a friend jack it up and replace whatever needs replacing?

definitely want to do this cheap but still have it safe enough that i won't cause further damage and can rip around without worrying about my car falling apart. Wouldn't mind going with poly, i don't mind a rough ride - i wouldn't have bought an integra if i did if it makes the handling feel more solid then that would be great. I'm going to go with poly engine mounts and such too to make the car hopefully more solid feeling.

thanks for all the replies and help - eventually i'll figure it all out.

 

That work? Found it on an older T-I thread

 

Yeah I got a manual from the forum mentioned above and it covers everything in depth thx for the help