Ryan
10-25-2009, 01:58 PM
For many of us, installing a sub frame brace is no challenge, however for some of the young new Honda enthusiast this may be helpful. A rear sub frame brace is something very important to install the first time you modify your suspension, especially if your lowering your vehicle or installing stiffer suspension. A good one piece brace will serve as a stabilizer to keep the rear end from flexing too much, which could eventually lead to frame tear out.
TOOLS REQUIRED:
14mm socket
6mm allen socket
8mm allen socket
Ratchet wrench
Torque wrench
digital camera for AZHT pics hehehe
And a participating friend lol
First I recommenced using a safe proper lift to work under your vehicle. You will need a few basic tools as well. If you only have jacks, make sure you use jack stands or pay a "you fix it" shop by the hour to use there tools and lift.
http://i33.tinypic.com/116ki9f.jpg
Once the lift is raised, make sure it is at a comfortable level. When working on others cars, or your own, its a good idea to inspect other areas of vehicle to insure everything is in good and safe condition.
http://i37.tinypic.com/wakbyg.jpg
From the rear of the the vehicle you can see that there is already a sub frame brace that will need to be removed. We will be installing the one piece much stronger Function7 brace. These ebay braces are cheap and will offer stability but there will still be some play and flex that you would not experience with a solid one piece brace. If you can not afford a solid one and your vehicle is lowered, driven hard, or has extremely stiff spring rates, it is a good idea to buy what ever brand of sub frame brace you can afford until you can get one piece brace.
To install your new sub frame brace you will need to remove the two 14mm bolts at each end of the sub frame seen here & there:
http://i34.tinypic.com/16ljjuw.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/e7i88j.jpg
After you have pulled out the two 14mm bolts completely, the lower control arms should slide out of the rear sub frame as seen here & there:
http://i34.tinypic.com/igvypl.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/20st6bm.jpg
Once the control arms are free from the sub frame you can now remove your lower suspension on the lower control arms. This will allow you the extra space you will need to install the Function7 inner reinforcement plates needed on vehicles with out an OEM sway bar. You will use the same 14mm to remove these and keep in mind you will need to secure the nut behind the bolt to remove it properly. In addition do not let your wheel just fall because this will cause strain on your trailing arm bushings and could tear them if your not careful. A simply support for the wheels or a good friend can hold it up for you while your working there. Once the 14mm bolts are removed it should look something like this:
http://i38.tinypic.com/6sh0m1.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/35hmq6h.jpg
Once the all 4 of the 14mm bolts are removed you can start installing your new sub frame brace. Each sub frame brace is manufactured differently. One of the many benefits of Function7 is this sway bar mount features seen here. You will need to install all 4 of these 6mm allen head screws hand tight for now. Once it is all together you will need to torque these to spec. Function7 recommends 22Nm/16ft-lbs. Personally I found this too be a little too loose for my liking but that is up to you to decide what you feel is safe.
http://i36.tinypic.com/23m7ode.jpg
Here you can see the optional reinforcement plates inside the sub frame. This is where the 6mm allen head screw will be threaded into for reinforcement and an optional sway bar.
http://i37.tinypic.com/o8zzls.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/6f8601.jpg
Now that the brace is in finger tight you can start installing the lower control arms again. This may be a bit of a challenge and is the reason for leaving everything finger tight until it is all installed. That way you have a little play and leverage to get the two long 8mm allen screws through the brace and into the control arms. These 8mm allen head screws will replace the OEM 14mm bolts.
http://i38.tinypic.com/2yy1jdh.jpg
Once they are threaded on hand tight it is recommended by Function7 to torque these 8mm allen head screws to 54Nm/40ft-lbs. Personally I found this too be a little too loose for my liking but that is up to you to decide what you feel is safe. Just make sure you use a good torque wrench.
http://i37.tinypic.com/rs7s5d.jpg
Now that the brace is in tight and to spec you can now install your suspension to the lower control arms. I use my air tools to tighten the 14mm bolts to the nut on the back with a closed ended wrench. I always recommend replacing these control arm bolts for the suspension if needed or if your vehicle is showing signs of wear and tear in that area. Or if your like me, just replace them for the hell of it lol.
http://i37.tinypic.com/ff0nk5.jpg
When your all done it should look something like this.
http://i36.tinypic.com/6gxxt5.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/f4kbxz.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/141thsi.jpg
I hope this was informative in showing you all the importance of a sub frame brace, its function, and how to install one. Again for many of us this is pretty simple but for the new guys if you have any question feel free to PM me. :thumbup:
TOOLS REQUIRED:
14mm socket
6mm allen socket
8mm allen socket
Ratchet wrench
Torque wrench
digital camera for AZHT pics hehehe
And a participating friend lol
First I recommenced using a safe proper lift to work under your vehicle. You will need a few basic tools as well. If you only have jacks, make sure you use jack stands or pay a "you fix it" shop by the hour to use there tools and lift.
http://i33.tinypic.com/116ki9f.jpg
Once the lift is raised, make sure it is at a comfortable level. When working on others cars, or your own, its a good idea to inspect other areas of vehicle to insure everything is in good and safe condition.
http://i37.tinypic.com/wakbyg.jpg
From the rear of the the vehicle you can see that there is already a sub frame brace that will need to be removed. We will be installing the one piece much stronger Function7 brace. These ebay braces are cheap and will offer stability but there will still be some play and flex that you would not experience with a solid one piece brace. If you can not afford a solid one and your vehicle is lowered, driven hard, or has extremely stiff spring rates, it is a good idea to buy what ever brand of sub frame brace you can afford until you can get one piece brace.
To install your new sub frame brace you will need to remove the two 14mm bolts at each end of the sub frame seen here & there:
http://i34.tinypic.com/16ljjuw.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/e7i88j.jpg
After you have pulled out the two 14mm bolts completely, the lower control arms should slide out of the rear sub frame as seen here & there:
http://i34.tinypic.com/igvypl.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/20st6bm.jpg
Once the control arms are free from the sub frame you can now remove your lower suspension on the lower control arms. This will allow you the extra space you will need to install the Function7 inner reinforcement plates needed on vehicles with out an OEM sway bar. You will use the same 14mm to remove these and keep in mind you will need to secure the nut behind the bolt to remove it properly. In addition do not let your wheel just fall because this will cause strain on your trailing arm bushings and could tear them if your not careful. A simply support for the wheels or a good friend can hold it up for you while your working there. Once the 14mm bolts are removed it should look something like this:
http://i38.tinypic.com/6sh0m1.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/35hmq6h.jpg
Once the all 4 of the 14mm bolts are removed you can start installing your new sub frame brace. Each sub frame brace is manufactured differently. One of the many benefits of Function7 is this sway bar mount features seen here. You will need to install all 4 of these 6mm allen head screws hand tight for now. Once it is all together you will need to torque these to spec. Function7 recommends 22Nm/16ft-lbs. Personally I found this too be a little too loose for my liking but that is up to you to decide what you feel is safe.
http://i36.tinypic.com/23m7ode.jpg
Here you can see the optional reinforcement plates inside the sub frame. This is where the 6mm allen head screw will be threaded into for reinforcement and an optional sway bar.
http://i37.tinypic.com/o8zzls.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/6f8601.jpg
Now that the brace is in finger tight you can start installing the lower control arms again. This may be a bit of a challenge and is the reason for leaving everything finger tight until it is all installed. That way you have a little play and leverage to get the two long 8mm allen screws through the brace and into the control arms. These 8mm allen head screws will replace the OEM 14mm bolts.
http://i38.tinypic.com/2yy1jdh.jpg
Once they are threaded on hand tight it is recommended by Function7 to torque these 8mm allen head screws to 54Nm/40ft-lbs. Personally I found this too be a little too loose for my liking but that is up to you to decide what you feel is safe. Just make sure you use a good torque wrench.
http://i37.tinypic.com/rs7s5d.jpg
Now that the brace is in tight and to spec you can now install your suspension to the lower control arms. I use my air tools to tighten the 14mm bolts to the nut on the back with a closed ended wrench. I always recommend replacing these control arm bolts for the suspension if needed or if your vehicle is showing signs of wear and tear in that area. Or if your like me, just replace them for the hell of it lol.
http://i37.tinypic.com/ff0nk5.jpg
When your all done it should look something like this.
http://i36.tinypic.com/6gxxt5.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/f4kbxz.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/141thsi.jpg
I hope this was informative in showing you all the importance of a sub frame brace, its function, and how to install one. Again for many of us this is pretty simple but for the new guys if you have any question feel free to PM me. :thumbup: