LilVito

This is my first post on TCC.

I recently bought an 89 Honda Civic Dx for $100.00. Everything was fine on the car except for a few minor rust patches aorund the fenders. The motor blew on my way driving it home (which I knew was gonna happen) while on the way home also I noticed that it seemed a bit lower to the left side (driver side).
So with the motor ticking like a time bomb in Afghanistan I got it into my driveway (when I decided to act cool and hit rev limitter and the motor blew, my first motor I ever blew ;-)
None the less I got it into my garage and started taking it apart to put the handed down Si motor I got from my family member. ( Only 60 K on the Si motor )
It was when I got the driver side driveshaft out that I had realized that the pivot bolt for the Lower Control Arm had snapped ( This is why the car was a 1 tire air ride show, lol)
So now I am just going to go and get a new crossmember because the passenger side pivot bolt was seized also. So below is the problem that I am having.

I'm having a problem accessing the pinch bolt for the intermediate shaft to the steering gear. Is the pinch bolt accessed from the inside or the outside of the vehicle.

This is really starting to make me mad I've been trying to figure this out for 24 Hours now. I even had a dream about it

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Hey LilVito, welcome to TCC... nice purchase BTW! I take it the steering is non-power?? The pinch bolt should be accessible from the outside of the vehicle - rotate the steering until it's in such a position that you can best access the bolt. Good luck!

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

check here for a diagram of what your are up against. Sometimes a visual helps...

LilVito

Does the crossmember have to be loosened also in order to access this bolt or does the steering gear have to be the only thing loosened ?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

just the steering gear if you are pulling the whole steering rack with the crossmember. but you can pull the rack separately too

LilVito

Thanx for the helpful hint.

One more question is about that diagram that you showed me the pinch bolt would be the # 26 bolt. Right

LilVito

Also when I loosen the steering gear it doesn't drop down that much would it be a little easier to also loosen the crossmember

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

yeah, #26 is the pinch bolt.

since you are already removing the crossmember, it would be smart to loosen it in order to make removal easier.

LilVito

I Luv Ya man.

You've been really helpful I'll reply when the crossmember is off of the car.

How do I become a member of TCC to be able to go to the shows and get all of the club perks.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

To join TCC just contact a member of our admin staff.... electronblue, SiVeloz, BOND007, WNT_2_Go_Fast, and perhaps Cantonagod and cosmic. All the info should be in our club support forum.

Good luck with the x-member... keep at it and don't rush... think about what you are doing and it will come out easier - work smart, not hard

LilVito

Thanx again for all the help. I will be posting some more as I run into the odd problem.

I will also send a post with my civic pictures of how it looks right now.

BOND007

bbarbulo the informative bastard ...strikes again

LilVito

Well I got the x-member off today.

Thanx for the patience tip, it wuz really the key to doing this.

Here are some more handy tips for this kind of job.

1) Have a friend near by to help hold the steering wheel while you try to get the pinch bolt off.

2) Get yourself a ratchet wrench it'll make the job so much easier. (10 MM Ratchet Wrench)


Now my next question is, how do I get the steering gear out of the x-member. Do I have to take off the tie rod's ?

That's it for now that's all I got for ya.

***********GOOD NEWS UPDATE *******

Found a x-member for $50.00 ;-)~

LilVito

C'mon sumbody help me with this last question

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

I don't understand what you are asking? plus I'm logging off now... I'll check ya tomorrow... or maybe someone else would care to answer?

LilVito

Now my next question is, how do I get the steering gear out of the x-member. Do I have to take off the tie rod's ?

LilVito

Here is wut I mean.

The steering gear run along and mounts to the crossmember.

It's right where the boot on the steering gear meets the mounting area for the Lower Control Arms.

Now here's the question. Do the tie rod's have to come off the steering gear in order to remove the steering gear unit from the x-member?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Ok, so you are removing the steering rack from the x-member and wanna know if you have to remove the tie rods in order to remove it.... the answer is no. The tie rods move independently of the x-member and you can swing them around and out of the way, but try not to put too much strain on them cuz you might break the rubber boots open.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

as far as I can see there are only two bolts holding it on

LilVito

Okay. The steering pinion (#6) sticks through the x-member and it doesn't allow the steering rack to move around too much.

Where the rubber boots are doesn't give that much play for you to swing them out of the way.

Now if I were to remove the steering pinion, that will let me slide the whole steering rack right out of the X-member.
Do you think by removing #4,5,2,3,16 that the steering pinion will come out ?

Also that diagram above is deceiving there are 4 bolts that mount the steering to the x-member and it doesn't show how the steering rack runs along the x-member.


They are great diagrams though I'm gonna start a collection of these diagrams to keep as reference tools.