I have my 98 prelude with h22 euro-r swap and for years I have thought my damn axle has not been properly seated all the way, lately I have been hearing a knocking noise and I suspect its my axle not in all the way or my steering rack is going out on me. I am using the euro-R half shaft and oem Honda axles. Do I need to push it in more, every time I try to push it in more it doesn't want to go any firther it sounds like it is maxing out on the axle side like the half shaft could go in more but won't. Here is a picture of what I am dealing with I have no idea if its in all the way or not. ANy help with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Normal. It just looks like its not. Thats just how it is.

 

Honestly that has to be the worst trick Honda could ever play on us lets put a notch on the axle and make it look like its never in but in reality it is. I guess I have to suspect my steering rack is junk and replace it. I hear knocking when I turn to the left. Thanks holmesnmanny for the reply.

 

I spy a fram oil filter, eek.

Wix (napa gold)
Purolator
Oem
Etc

 

Had a feeling someone would come in here and say that I was broke so I bought that for now next one will be oem or k&n

 

Well drove my car tonight and the damn noise is just annoying me. I jacked up the car wiggled and shook everything I could from my tie rods to my axle, plus exhaust and headers and even my lower control arms and uppers, everything is tight to spec. The only thing that looks to be a bit close is my lower portion of my header it looks like it is right on the oil pan. I am stumped I think this knocking noise is gonna be the hardest diagnosis yet, because I think its my steering rack but wouldn't that only make noise when turning the steering wheel? I figured out the noise happens when under load like gassing the car and when in a low RPM range around 2000-3500rpm.

 

Did you ever get that Honda steering rack tool and perform the rack bolt tightening ?

 

No didn't get the chance to buy the tool yet. Couldnt I just use a huge pair of pliers and do it that way? The rack needs to be replaced anyways it leaks to hell and back.

 

Just did the adjustment of the steering rack with a big pair of pliers and a 14mm socket wrench it didn't change anything for me in the least bit so I guess my rack was on point. I ended up taking pictures of my header down-pipe and that thing is right on the oil pan. I think what I need is my header extended or just buy a euro-r header from someone, there is no way it should be that close to the oil I cannot even fit a finger in there anywhere, so this has to be the noise I am hearing. Plus when metal heats up it expands so I am assuming that when it does it hits the oil pan and causes the noise I am hearing. Don't mind the eBay crap header on there it is going to be replaced in time when I have cash to do so.

 

Not sure it's just the way it looks but it actually looks like it's denting the oil pan and, if so, that is definitely something you do NOT want to happen.

 

Well here is the deal I ended up taking these off and putting back my oem h22a4 header with the downpipe as well and it hits worse then the eBay headers do. There is something I am missing here, there should be at least an inch of clearance between the header and oil pan and there is not even enough room for me to fit my index finger in there. What the hell do I do from here. Do I buy a euro-r oem header and use my h22a4 downpipe? Are those header manifolds longer. I need to have a longer header manifold so when my downpipe connects to it its not hitting the oil pan. This is a mess and a huge pain in the ***. The eBay headers weren't denting the oil pan just hugging it super close.

 

Is that oil pan oem honda? I ask because well you've got an oem header and oem downpipe now.

I looked under mine and I've got nearly 1.5 inch clearance between the pan and pipe but I'm not oem header so idk if that means anything.

 

Yes that is the oem Honda pan that came on my h22 euro r. Im thinking the oem header is from a different year prelude with h22 engine. I have never seen that bad of clearance issues with an oem and aftermarket header. It literally hugs the oil pan so I will have to get another set of header to fix this issue.

 

I just did a little quick searching and apparently the stock headers all seem to be slightly or largely different. For example, an h22 header from 96 is 8.25" shorter than one from a 97.

Possible u may need a euro r header and downpipe, at least to get a stock fitment. Or if u know someone who can weld, just weld an inch of 2.25" tubing into the downpipe.

 

I agree I think I need a euro r oem exhaust manifold and it should give the clearance I need. I have tried eBay headers and thats what are in the pictures above they said they are for a 97-01 Prelude base model only, but I guess they dont fit all h22s because they dont fit mine. I do know a friend with a welder so as a last resort I dont mind adding some tubing to the down pipe. This is just ridiculous that I have to go to these lengths just to get the clearance needed.

 

The oil pan for that engine is built for the euro r chassis. It's possible you may need to get a hold of a 97-01 oil pan and pickup tube and swap it onto that block.

Keep in mind you always gotta have the oil pan and pickup tube combo as the same assembly to avoid having a pickup tube that can't grab all the oil off the pan.

 

I dont mind getting a 97-01 pan but the downfall is they are aluminum and my h22a4 pan leaked like a bitch and I had to redo the silicone or Honda-Ultra Flange sealer on it 3 times and it still leaked. I really think I just have some bad luck on this right now. I think if I used a euro-r exhaust manifold it would be longer, I am just waiting for my friend to measure his oem manifold to confirm its longer or the same as a regular h22a4 manifold.

 

That's a bunch of **** man. Sorry to hear it. The euro r, u have the longblock with lsd? If so, I'd trade u my perfectly Running h22a and m2s4 in exchange for your issues lol

 

I could not agree with you more on this issue I am having just straight bullshit. And I do have the full swap in my prelude I love it but then again honestly it was not worth the $2700 I paid for it. I would trade you but then again I have too much time and money invested into this thing. I could have gone a different route.

 

Keep this updated cause im curious how this turns out.

Worst case scenario you will use the euro r exhaust man and have a shop make it fit lengthwise.

 

Sounds good to me I think I may purchase some prelude type-s headers since those are made for our BB6 chassis or do some tri-Y header and see if this clearance issue goes away.