I bought a set of 13" studded snow tires to replace my 14" summer tires, spent three and a half hours pulling the studs out only to find it that the wheels don't fit my front drivers side, all three of the others fit. Upon closer inspection the front drivers caliper and mounting bracket was a cheap aftermarket set up anodized blue so I figured it was slightly oversized as compared to the stock caliper on the passenger side. Replaced the caliper and caliper bracket only for the wheel to still not fit. After measuring EVERYTHING it looks like the top caliper mounting bracket tab (on the control arm) moves the caliper 1/2" farther away from the rotor. The pads did have a lip on top of them where they didn't touch the caliper and ended up over lapping. I guess I'll be selling this set of snow wheels/tires to get some 14" ones. Why would they be different? Are the control arms for and a little different? I'm seriously done with this car.

Thanks,
Chase

 

What year, make model is this.? Some civics like EX and SI models have a bigger brake set-up in the front and use a different caliper/bracket which makes them bigger than the lower models. I'm not exactly sure, but I think the entire Knuckle is different from say, an EX model to a DX model

 

if it is from the car in your avatar, then you have the wrong knuckle on the car.

 

Sorry I should've mentioned, according to the title it's a 95 vx. I guess that would make sense, I'm surprised they'd have it set up so that it couldn't use a 13" wheel.

Thanks,
Chase

 

or someone decided they wanted to use the bigger rotors for some reason.

 

Sounds like they replaced that knuckle with a EX/SI knuckle. I would just replace it with the smaller knuckle. I just upgraded my DX knuckles to EX.

 

I would swap it out but I don't want to replace any ball joints or bushings right now (they would need replacing if I pulled the knuckle out). I'll just run what I have and get different wheels/tires as long as running mismatched knuckles won't damage anything.

 

You don't have to replace anything. Just swap straight over. The only ball joint involved in the swap is the lower one if you want to replace that but it probably won't need it. If you just get the knuckle from a junk yard it shouldn't run you any more than $40 since you have new calipers, etc. You'd just have to have a front alignment done. Much cheaper than getting a new set of wheels and rubber.

 

Alright I'll have to look into it. As long as it's a pretty quick and easy swap that's probably what I'll do. The only thing is that I don't have a garage to work in and it's supposed to be real cold this weekend, not to mention it's my dd so if I get halfway through and realize I need another part (that needs to be ordered) I'm hosed. I'll look into it.

Thanks,
Chase

 

No problem, the only hassle should be separating the ball joints, mine were a bit stubborn. Make sure you have something for that on hand it probably wont take very long at all.

 

Alright hopefully last question: what would the piece be called that I need to replace? Front upper control arm?

Thanks,
Chase

 

No it's the front knuckle assy. It's the "bar" that pivots between your upper and lower control arms and has the tie rod end attached and the hub, lower ball joint, brakes and rotors mounted. Just like the pic I posted but you shouldn't need the caliper or rotor parts. #2/3 on this diagram.

http://estore.honda.com/honda/parts/...n=&b=B++27&dl=

 

Here's pic of mine after I swapped. But, of course, you want the smaller one not the bigger one on yours.

 

Thanks for the help, I'll be tracking down a knuckle assembly tomorrow.

Thanks,
Chase

 

Is there something OP could measure so he knows for sure that his knuckle assemblies are different? Ie., just to double check so he doesn't do a bunch of running around for nothing.

 

I would make the measurements but I had to return my old ones for core. If he makes sure they came off anything but a EX or Si he should be fine.

He does actually have one of each so he could make sure the dimensions are the same as the good one.

 

EX/Integra calipers wont bolt to the smaller CX/VX/DX knuckles and vice versa.

 

I just swapped my brakes to GSR brakes and I have my old knuckles still, not sure if it would be a fix for you or not. Off of a 97 DX. It's the full assembly, with caliper and rotors.

 

If you call a wrecking yard and tell them you only want the knuckles without the brake components that's what they'll sell you.

Since the OP has already replaced the calipers, which I'm sure he specified as DX. I'm sure he'll probably just want to transfer those over along with the other brake components.

It might be possible he just needs to replace the mounting bracket. The EX and the DX knuckles are slightly different, according to part number. So I'd err on the side of caution and get the DX spec knuckle.

 

He can't just swap the caliper without the knuckle. I wish you were closer. I would give you the set off vx knuckles and brakes I took off mine for a ITR swap