Looking for help changing integra alternator

[Dennis M]

Hey everyone,

I just got a relatively decent 89 integra for relatively nothing. All it
needs is a new alternator, which I expected to be a bolt-out/bolt-in job.

I bought Haynes manual for the car and turns out the job is a little more
complicated as the alternator is supposed to come out through the space
currenly occupied by the left drive axle. I looked throught the manual and
looks like before the alternator, drive axle needs to come out, which means
I need to disconnect tie rod and lower control arm. When I got to the lower
control arm section, the only thing manual said was that this task was
"beyond the scope" and requires professional shop to perform it because it
requires special tools.

That answer won't cut it for me, so I am turning for help elsewhere. Has
anyone removed/installed lower control arm on the integra (first-gen I
believe)? What special tools is the manual talking about?

Any hints/tips/ideas would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Dennis

P.S. I know this is not acura group, but I noticed acura people in here and
generally it seemed more lively than any other one

 

[J M]

Hey Dennis,
I own an '90 integra that I manage to keep running. Removing the driveaxle
is a royal pain the ass, and you may not want to attempt it unless you have
some previous mechanical experience. The special tools they mention that
you need are 1) a puller (about 40$ for a decent one) and 2) a decent impact
wrench (to remove the spindle nut). You also will want to order a new
spindle nut from honda, as their method of securing it to the hub involves
pounding in one side with a stake. To get off the drivaxle, you'll need to
remove the spindle nut and the damper fork. You'll then need to separate
the lower arm using the puller. After that you can swing the knuckle
outward (which the splines on mine were thoroughly rusted and required some
beating with a mallet) and 'carefully' remove the driveaxle. (which you
might as well replace while your down there, I think I got mine for about
90$ a piece). I recently replaced both the driveaxles (plus a lot of other
stuff) so feel free to ask questions.

John