Subframe Brace Install

Aftermarket Sub Frame Reinforcement Brace
General Applicability

1994-2001 Acura Integra Sedan GS-R, GS, LS, RS and Special Edition
1994-2001 Acura Integra Coupe GS-R, GS, LS, RS and Special Edition
1992-1995 Civic Sedan EX, LX, DX
1992-1995 Civic Coupe EX, DX
1992-1995 Civic Hatch Back Si, VX, DX,CX
1993-1997 Del Sol Coupe VTEC, Si, S

Preparation

1. Before you begin, we recommend that you work on a level ground. And any time you lift a vehicle with a jack or a hoist, be sure that it is always securely supported. Always use jack stands and wheel blocks. For your own safety and the safety of others, use your own good judgment.

2. Be sure the exhaust muffler is cool before you begin.

3. The subframe brace is designed to reuse some of the original equipment (OE) nuts and bolts. Therefore, as you remove them, keep them with their components. This will assure faster and easier installation.

Recommended Tools:

Basic Tools
Metric socket set
Metric combination wrench set
Rag or shop towel

Safety Tools
Safety goggles

Installation:

1. Raise the rear of the car up by jacking it up then placing it on jack stands. Block the front tires. Use a car hoist if accessible. Do not use ramps during this procedure.

2. Unbolt both lower control arm bolts. *On models equipped with rear swaybar, unbolt sway bar hardware and end links from lower control arms.

*On Civic Hatch Back models you may need to remove axle back exhaustmuffler to aid installation.

3. On models equipped without rear swaybar go to step 4. On models equipped with rear swaybar. Use a 9.5mm or 3/8in drill bit and drill out the threads on the top and bottom swaybar mounting hole on each side.
This will allow proper tightening of the backing plate.

4. Lower the control arm to install the backing plate. Note the correct orientation of the backing plate.
Another look of the backing plate from behind. The backing plate should mount flat with the subframe.

5. Install the brace and temporary put on the upper swaybar bracket flange bolt a few turns to prevent the backing plate from tipping over.
Top Bolt is 45mm length
Center bolt is 45mm length
Bottom bolt is 25mm length

6. Install the center bolt in the counterbored hole on the brace and place flange nut behind the backing plate. Do not tighten until both sides are installed. Torque the center bolts to 20lbf-ft.

7. Install the longer lower control arm bolts. Only snug them down at this point.

8. To install the end links on the sway bar. Push the rubber bushing into the sway bar arm hole. Then insert the inner steel collars on each side. Connect the end link then tighten the flange bolt to 22 lbf-ft.

9. Install bushing and the bracket on the swaybar then slide them out where the bar starts to bend.

10. Remove the upper bracket bolts and mount the sway bar with the bushings and brackets. Install the upper and lower bracket flange bolts but do not tighten to allow side to side movement of the sway bar for the next step.

11. Bolt on the end link to the lower control arm with the flange bolt and tighten to 29 lbs-ft.

12. Lower the car to a level ground and roll it back and forth and bounce it to remove any static friction from the suspension. With the car to the ground or on ramps, tighten the lower control arm bolts to 40lbf-ft.
Move the sway bar up and down to loosen any binding. Then tighten the sway bar bracket bolt to 20ft/lbs. This is the way to set up the sway bar to have no preload
without using any adjustable
end links.