Rear Alignment in '91 Civic?

Discussion in 'Civic' started by Brandy  Alexandre, Jun 27, 2005.

  1. Before I move to another state, I went to the same Honda mechanic for
    decades. Before I left, I had him give the car one last look and fix
    everything that needed fixing. I got new shocks/structs and other
    funky things. And a week later a new radiator because the old one
    blew. I love my car, that's why I keep it. :) People ask me all the
    time if I'm selling. It looks great.

    Anyway, my tires were cupped and that was the very last thing he wanted
    me to do, but I decided to move first (driving) and get new tires then,
    which I did.

    Long story short, I was rear-ended with no damaged, seemingly, except
    bent plate frame holder and scrapes on the bumper. I was in my old
    neighhood and had my old mechanic do another once-over on the car. He
    said the rear tires were cupped. He then looked under the car ro see
    if the rear end was "alignable," said it was, and suggested I get it
    fixed.

    Well, when I mentioned it to my new mechanic he looked at me like I was
    nuts. Can the rear be aligned on this car or not. If so, what should
    I exactly say to a shop to avoid being treated like a "woman."
     
    Brandy  Alexandre, Jun 27, 2005
    #1
  2. Brandy  Alexandre

    jim beam Guest

    yes, the 91 rear is definitely alignable. the chassis bolt mounting for
    the rear suspension compensator arm is elongated for this purpose. if
    your mechanic doesn't know this, find another one because this
    individual doesn't know what they're doing. i had this experience
    recently at an alignment shop - had the show the tech how to do it. :(
     
    jim beam, Jun 27, 2005
    #2
  3. Jim, you are just a font of '91 Honda information. Perhaps one day
    I'll ask you about the horn that only gives one tone when it's damp or
    very humid outside, and the dash lights that used to just work once
    things got warmed up, but now not at all. (I bought a cool little red
    LED pocket light for when I need it. Works great.
     
    Brandy  Alexandre, Jun 27, 2005
    #3
  4. Brandy  Alexandre

    TeGGeR® Guest


    One of the two horns (or their wiring) are bad. They are located behind the
    front bumper, on the outside corners of the car. They tend to rust badly.

    Each horn has a slightly different tone.
     
    TeGGeR®, Jun 28, 2005
    #4
  5. Hmm, I bet I can give it a soft filing if the wires are accessible. I
    like being handy. :)
     
    Brandy  Alexandre, Jun 28, 2005
    #5
  6. Brandy  Alexandre

    TeGGeR® Guest


    The wires are easily accessible, but require the removal of the front
    bumper. That takes about 5 minutes and the removal of 8 screws and bolts.
    Have new signal light gaskets handy ($5 each at the dealer) otherwise
    you'll get moisture inside the lights after.
     
    TeGGeR®, Jun 28, 2005
    #6
  7. Oh... nevermind. :) I'll get someone else to do it. I'm handy, but
    terribly lazy. That antenna thing was hard enough.
     
    Brandy  Alexandre, Jun 28, 2005
    #7
  8. Brandy  Alexandre

    jim beam Guest

    check the dimmer rheostat. they burn out.
     
    jim beam, Jun 28, 2005
    #8
  9. Brandy  Alexandre

    mmdir2002 Guest

    What's your mileage?
     
    mmdir2002, Jun 28, 2005
    #9
  10. -trimmed-

    The rear alignment in my 91' civic sedan is always going stray. At high
    speeds the rear of the car is turbulent (rapid bouncing). Aligning always
    seems to remedy the problem. I think it might be the way I corner hard to
    get the alignment to go off. I'm not sure. It might be my slamming thru
    potholes in the road.
     
    Majorly Confused, Aug 9, 2005
    #10
  11. I doubt it is your cornering that is the root of the problem. There is no way
    that Honda sold a car that would go out of alignment simply by corning hard.
    I would go over all the parts in the rear suspension to make sure they are not
    worn. Your car is 14 years old, so replacing all the bushings in the rear
    suspension would probably not be a bad idea.
     
    Alex Rodriguez, Aug 10, 2005
    #11
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