I'm trying to swap the front and rear sway bars from a 2000 LS Integra onto my 1992 Civic CX hatch. Okay, I know exactly what I need to do this... I have EVERYTHING on my 2000 LS parts teg.


BUT I ran into a hiccup... The holes for mounting the rear sway bar to the subframe are NOT tapped on my 92 CX. They're drilled but it's just the sheet metal, no nut welded inside or anything.

What's my best bet to run these front and rear sway bars.

1) Just run the front.

2) Try and get some grade 8 or higher nuts/washers inside the subframe and just tighten the bolts to those.

3) Spend some serious skrilla and upgrade my BLOX LCAs to Function 7's with a subframe brace and attach the sway bar to that.

4) Got a better idea?

 

FWIW Sway bars on a 2000 LS are 24.0mm and 12.9mm.


The subframe brace option seems overkill.... I really don't see a 13mm swaybar ripping out the holes but I dunno LOL.

 

In case anybody thinks I'm just looking at the wrong holes here's a pic.

I've been searching all day and aparently I have the only CX without the rear holes tapped in America LOL.

I'm assuming it's like the holes on the shock tower for the GS-R strut bars some are done and some arent omn the CX. No rhyme or reason.

My CX had those drilled and tapped but not the rear subframe... go figure!

 

I don't think any eg comes with those holes tapped, except for the 4dr ex

 

According to EVERY write up Ive found on H-T or the rest of the internets ALL EG/EH chassis cars have the same rear sub-frame and all come tapped.

Regardless it's irrelevant to my quandary, mine are not. Any input? I'm looking at using the stock bolts and some grade 8 or 10 nuts and washers on the back side.

 

Okay, the H-T write-up redirects to an importnut write-up that says they're all tapped.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/95-civic-hatch-cx-how-install-rear-sway-bar-2852165/


BUT I altered my search a bit and found a D-S.O (**** D-S.O) write up where several people have had the issue and used nuts/bolts. Problem solved.

 

I don't think they were actually tapped. I believe there were nuts welded in place. You should be able to get your fingers in there once the lca is removed to install washers and nuts to hold the sway bar brackets.

 

Those holes are not tapped, it is sheet metal!. With a ASR subframe brace, there is a piece that goes behind the holes in order to screw the bolts into. With such a small sway bar, some large thick washers and a few nuts should work fine.

 

That's the plan. SOme nice big Grade 8 or 10 washers and nuts.

LOL, cmon guy give me some credit! LOL

 

Some had threaded holes, some didn't, mainly the lower models (and I think possibly all US built hatches but don't quote me on that). If yours doesn't have them you need an ASR brace, Beaks kit, or similar.

 

Why do I need an ASR brace or Beaks kit for a 12.9mm bar? How is a welded nut structurally better than a nut with a grade 8 washer behind it? The washer will spread the force over more area than the factory welded nut would. If I was running a 22mm rear bar then yeah, I could see needing the brace.

Serious question, not trying to be half as patronizing as that sounded. Am I missing something important?

 

No, you're right. I skipped some posts and missed that suggestion. For the smaller bars that should be fine. You might even look in to cutting a plate that supports both holes with one piece so you don't have to get a bunch of hardware up in there.

Don't worry about the washer grade, it means nothing in this case since you won't be putting them in any mode besides compression. As long as you get something that won't rust you'll be good. You might actually want something a wee bit softer here so that it can "smush" a little and help spread the load better.

Also, FWIW, I ran a 22mm bar on a stock 94 EX subframe for close to ten years with no issues, but yeah, I still absolutely recommend reinforcement for the larger bars. Kinda surprised mine lasted that long, especially with kind of driving that was typical of me in my younger years.

 

Good deal. Thanks for the replies, all!