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View Full Version : DIY: Rear LCA install



Jukka
07-13-2012, 08:16 AM
I finally got around to installing my Skunk2 LCAs today so I figure now would be a good time to write up a how-to guide.

What you'll need:
Aftermarket LCAs
Rear Control Arm Socket (comes with Skunk2 LCAs) Can be bought from K-Seriesparts.com - HERE (http://www.kseriesparts.com/cr/SPC-69330.html)
17MM Socket
Breaker Bar (possibly)
Some penetrating lube (WD40, Liquid Wrench, Jigaloo, etc)
Jack and Jackstands
Sandpaper and/or wire wheel
Locktite
Torque Wrench

Optional:
New Center LCA bolts

So first start off by jacking up the car and placing it on jackstands. You need to have enough room to be able to crawl under the car. Once under the car, spray all the bolts with your lube to make removal easier.

The first step is to loosen off the 3 special socket bolts closer to the outside of the car. This is where you might need a breaker bar and will need to use the special LCA socket. What I did was use a small extension and the breaker bar and just stepped on the breaker bar.

Once these 3 bolts are loose, place the jack on the bottom of the rear knuckle to raise it up a bit. This helps take the pre-load off the arm and makes the bolts easier to get out.

With all 3 bolts removed, let the arm swing down below the one center bolt. Now using a 17mm socket, loosen off the center bolt. Once the bolt is removed, remove the OEM LCA.

With the LCA removed, use your wirebrush/wire wheel to remove any rust in the mounting locations.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/314079_10151026637507356_854276214_n.jpg

With the arm out, you can compair the size of the 2 of them.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/523694_10151026637652356_10083127_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382436_10151026637352356_998366050_n.jpg

Now to start your reassembly. First start off by mounting the center bolt first. Before placing the center bolt in, make sure you use a small amount of locktite.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417611_10151026637257356_1381095089_n.jpg

Tighten the bolt down until it is slightly snug. Then swing the arm back up into place and attach the 3 special LCA bolts along with the new LCA plate (on skunk2 arms, not sure of other aftermarket LCAs). Tighten down the 3 bolts in rotating order, like you would on a wheel just to make sure that they are mounted properly.

With all the bolts snugged up, pull our your torque wrench and tighten everything down to 46ft/lbs. I did all of the bolts at 46ft/lbs because the Honda service manual lists the center bolt to be torqued as such, and they don't list for the 3 special bolts.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/531667_10151026636822356_130870049_n.jpg

with everything torqued down, step back, and take a look.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576225_10151026636972356_548924962_n.jpg

Repeat for the other side. After your drop it on the ground, drive around the block a few times, come back and re-torque the bolts again just to be safe.

All in all, it took about 2 hours and that was with my shoulder hurting, so I stopped for about 10 min and another 20 for dinner.

Hope that helps. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Jukka

rd02SiR
07-14-2012, 11:08 PM
nice write up man!! I keep meaning to buy some new lca's...but never get around to it lol

ep32424
10-09-2012, 05:26 PM
Great information and i was thinking about getting function 7 LCA what do you guys think.