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I followed the Honda manual for jacking up my car.
I put the jack under the rad support as specified in the manual
The rad support is now BENT. The hood, front bumper, and lights are now out of alignment.
Is there any other safe front jackings points on this car.
I read that some people use the sway bar bushing to lift it but im not sure now that ive done some damage to my car.
I also heard that tow hooks could be used but i also saw some guys with bent tow hooks.
That is the correct location to place the Jack. Are you sure you lined it up with the bulge spot ?
I have used the tow hooks to place jacks under with no issues but i wouldn't use a jack to lift at that point.
Each side also has jack lifting spots to place the jack, you will see an arrow pointing to the spot on the bottom of the side skirt behind the front wheels.
That is the correct location to place the Jack. Are you sure you lined it up with the bulge spot ?
I have used the tow hooks to place jacks under with no issues but i wouldn't use a jack to lift at that point.
Each side also has jack lifting spots to place the jack, you will see an arrow pointing to the spot on the bottom of the side skirt behind the front wheels.
thanks for the reply.
Yes I always used the bulge spot. I attempted to raise the car higher than usual with a 50mm instead of an usual 30ish cm jack. But the rad support just bent itself, however after making this post I noticed that the rad support isn't welded to the chassis but only bolted.
should the rad support be welded to the chassis after replacement? I'm guessing that car has been accidented before.
thanks for the reply.
Yes I always used the bulge spot. I attempted to raise the car higher than usual with a 50mm instead of an usual 30ish cm jack. But the rad support just bent itself, however after making this post I noticed that the rad support isn't welded to the chassis but only bolted.
should the rad support be welded to the chassis after replacement? I'm guessing that car has been accidented before.
Yes it was in an accident most likely because it should be spot welded, You can take off the front bumper very easy and inspect the areas it was bolted and un due it and try and bend it back somehow or re position it. Post pics if you can.
How crucial is welding the rad support to the chassis ?
Does it prevent warpage during lifting ?
Welds are a bit less prone to flex compared to bolting things together as the latter relies on the friction between the two parts to stay put. The two surfaces can slip past each other by twisting and sliding. When something is welded, the material itself is turned into a single piece and is stiffer. Also not an expert, but would assume that having a bolt-on rad support isn't quite as rigid depending on how its attached.
As for the rad support itself, I remember reading somewhere here that the aftermarket ones (like the ones sold on rockauto) aren't as strong as the OEM one as they aren't formed the exact same way and some are made from thinner steel.
Welds are a bit less prone to flex compared to bolting things together as the latter relies on the friction between the two parts to stay put. The two surfaces can slip past each other by twisting and sliding. When something is welded, the material itself is turned into a single piece and is stiffer. Also not an expert, but would assume that having a bolt-on rad support isn't quite as rigid depending on how its attached.
As for the rad support itself, I remember reading somewhere here that the aftermarket ones (like the ones sold on rockauto) aren't as strong as the OEM one as they aren't formed the exact same way and some are made from thinner steel.
This. ^^^^^^^^^^^^ Aftermarket replacement core supports for Honda's are historically much weaker than an OE one. The steel is of lesser quality and is thinner.
There is a bracket that bolts to the top and bottom of the rad support. Another thing to think about is that the it could be some cheap metal aftermarket support replaced on it. I've seen this happened before.
As for the rad support itself, I remember reading somewhere here that the aftermarket ones (like the ones sold on rockauto) aren't as strong as the OEM one as they aren't formed the exact same way and some are made from thinner steel.
After investigation, it seems that you are right about the Aftermarket Radiator support.
Mine is considerably thinner than the OEM one.