Questions and Answers

Twisted Honda Accord EX Q. Thank you for your time first of all. Second I actually have two questions as opposed to one, I hope that is not a problem. I do realize that diagnosing a vehicle through e-mail is not an exact science so I do not expect any miracle answers just some insight would be great. I consider myself a good shade tree mechanic, timing belts, head gaskets all suspension and brake issues.

But I have had a problem with my 1991 Honda Accord EX sedan 2.2 liter 5-speed transmission and rack and pinion steering. It has 220,000 miles and from day one I have had issues with a push in the rear of the car when the suspension is compressed while driving or when running over different road surfaces or in tight cornering.

It feels as if the back end wants to go the opposite direction of the front for just a few seconds then returns to normal. I took it to get it aligned and the shop told me that the back could not be aligned perfectly that something must have been bent but they could not say what they recommended a frame shop. I said this free car is not worth that money and tried to find another solution.

My brother owned an Identical accord that he totaled so I drove to Kentucky and stripped the entire rear suspension from his accord then proceeded to disassemble mine well the main cross member that bolts to the rear of the chassis that also bolts to the rear lower control arms was noticeably bent compared to my brothers.

So I swapped those got new eccentric bolts for the adjustment arms and 2 new arms for that side of the car reassembled and immediately took it to get it aligned this time it lined up perfect they said no problems. BUT, guess what, it still had a hell of a push to it. Now keep in mind this took place over approximately 30,000 to 40,000 miles in which time I got new tires and had rotated them every 5,000 to 6,000 miles.

Now finally for my question can the tires that I had put on while it was out of alignment be causing the push I am feeling, even if I swap front to rear tires It is still there, or can it be worn struts because that's the only two choices I have. I have replaced the springs on all four corners and other than a little roughness the car drives great.

Thank you again for your time any information you could give me would be great this has been a great car for me except this one lingering issue so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Charles
St. Louis, MO

A. As much as you don't want to, this vehicle will have to go to the frame shop. Any collision hard enough to bend the rear cross member probably distorted the uni-body. It doesn't take a whole lot to do that. The only way to tell if the uni-body is bent is to put it on a frame machine and get it measured out.