'94 civic DX coupe

[wombosi]

i have a 94 civic dx, manual, 152K miles, runs like a top.
new clutch maybe 20,000 miles ago.

new brakes.

body is for ****, one side almost completely rusted out along the bottom.

wheel bearings or axles or something is making a hollow knocking sound around turns.

i'm thinking that the car will not pass inspection come february, so it's basically a project car (lots of bondo, and fix the axles) or for parts.

anyone interested?

car is located in western massachusetts.
i've been getting routinely 40s mpg. car can be nursed to 50s or above (if you drive like jacinto).

[thisisntjared]

the clicking is definitely the axles.

[wombosi]

worth trying to fix it myself?

no way it's worth paying a mechanic for the labor, in my opinion.
i'd rather drive the car into the ground until it's completely dead and then buy a new one, or, if it's salvageable for about $100 and a lot of labor, then maybe i'd give it a go with some friends.

the amount of rust is a little discouraging, though.

you wanna buy it?

[thisisntjared]

nah i have a nice car for both myself and my wife. i say run it into the ground. why wouldnt it pass inspection? that axle will just click for a couple years...

[wombosi]

you've inspired me to fix the mutt and wriggle a few more years out of it.

would give me much more satisfaction.

it's the uglies car on the road by far.

-b

[GasSavers_TomO]

Clicking around corners is 99% CV shaft going/gone bad. Autozone has 'em cheap and they aren't hard to replace, just make sure you have a 32mm socket for the axle nut.

It may be the ugliest car on the road, but it gets better gas mileage than anyone on the road

[wombosi]

Originally Posted by TomO

Clicking around corners is 99% CV shaft going/gone bad. Autozone has 'em cheap and they aren't hard to replace, just make sure you have a 32mm socket for the axle nut.

It may be the ugliest car on the road, but it gets better gas mileage than anyone on the road

thanks TomO!

what about advance auto? i don't think i have an autozone near me?

so should i just buy four CV shafts? is that the part that goes through the rubber boot? one of the boots if completely ripped open and duck taped.

do they need to be greased?

could you please write me a list of everything i'd need to fix the problem?

also, what's the best way to fill rusted away body?

i'll get a picture of the car up here today.

thanks again,
ben

[GasSavers_TomO]

Check around at different auto stores if you can for the best price/warranty on the CV shafts.

You'll need only two shafts, one drivers' side and one passenger side.

Greasing the shafts is not necessary. but if you want you can put a dab of grease on the outbound shaft that goes into the wheel hub.

The shafts are all that you'll need for parts.

Here's a decent How-to HERE
If you don't have air tools, usually a 4 foot long breaker bar can get the axle nuts off.

[wombosi]

ok,
two shafts, but what about the rear axles?
i swear i hear clicking back there too. am i buying axles? or just the cv joints?

when i walk into advance, what do i ask for?

also, the DIY is detailed, but i think assumes an existing mechanical knowledge that exceeds mine. seems like a potentially nightmarish job without the right tools and without a clear understanding of what to do.

maybe SVOboy can help me out?...



thanks again.

[GasSavers_TomO]

CV shafts and axles are the same deal, in my mind, for a Front Wheel Drive car. Just tell them you need both front axles, they'll know what you need.

There isn't really a rear axle, per say, in your car. The clicking could very well be a large rock in the tread of your tires in the rear or the brake components.