[auTONYmous]

I'm planning on getting a set of coilovers, but just about nobody makes adjustable shocks/struts for the 88's, so I'm also gonna pick up some rear LCA's for an 89.

Question is, with the '89-style LCA's, will I also be forced to go with rear discs, or can I use with the drums for a little while and upgrade to drums later?

 

[jfrolang]

The LCA's are independent of the trailing arm, so you can change them without affecting your brake setup.

 

[stick]

That's probably a pretty good idea. You'll get the 89-91 style LCA's so you can use the more plentiful shock kits, and you'll still retain your stronger passive rear steering (all 88-91 CRX's have passive rear steering...just toned down in the 89-91 models).

 

[poormansporsche]

Correct me if im wrong here.. but cant you just buy itr adjustable struts.. and just compensate with adjustments?

 

[stick]

Correct me if im wrong here.. but cant you just buy itr adjustable struts.. and just compensate with adjustments?

I'm not sure. I know that the LCA's are the same on the ITA and the 88 CRX, but I'm not sure if the upper mounting point or the springs are the same.

 

[auTONYmous]

That's probably a pretty good idea. You'll get the 89-91 style LCA's so you can use the more plentiful shock kits, and you'll still retain your stronger passive rear steering (all 88-91 CRX's have passive rear steering...just toned down in the 89-91 models).

(sorry for digging up an old post)

Aren't the LCA's in the 88's what actually make the rear steering more "passive"...since the 88's are stamped and not forged like the 89-91's?

Also: would it be in my best interest to just DO the rear drums-to-disc conversion while I'm back there swappin out crap?

(Assuming we're not talking an extra $150 total in parts...)

 

[stick]

About the lower control arms. Yes, they are stamped...but no, they are not the part of the rear suspension that makes it more passive on the 88's.

The mounting point on the chassis for the compensator arm (on the front of the rear trailing arm) is in a different location on the 88's. This is why the 88's have a different rear suspension feel.

 

[auTONYmous]

AHHH!

*bows toward Sensei Stickershop*

I have so much to learn, oh Knowledgeable One!

 

[downest]

A little off topic... could someone (stickershop!) explain the passive rear steering?

 

[auTONYmous]

I'm sure Sticky or someone else can truly elaborate on this much more, but as far as I know, the rear wheels of a CRX can (ever so slightly) change toe angle in relation to high cornering forces.

The 88's appear to have the greatest effect of such toe-angle adjustments during sharp maneuvers, though (according to Sticky), all CRX's do it some degree.

I personally can vouch for noticing it (as I have an '88 ), and, yes, it can be a bit scary if you're not prepared for it. It's kinda like some gradual, but noticeable, oversteer intruduced by the rear wheels turning along with the fronts.

Active rear wheel steering is what you'll find on some newer GMC pickups, (I think) older Preludes, and Nissan's "Super-HICAS" system.

Our passive stuff doesn't have any motors or electricals involved, just some good 'ole flexible suspension parts.

Am I on point here, Sticky, or did I miss something?

 

[jfrolang]

You're right on target.

 

[stick]

You got it Tony. We can actually expand this definition to a lot more vehicles as well. It's not just CRX's. But pretty much any Honda with a rear trailing arm design that flexes around a large bushing (Civic's, Integra's, etc) has passive rear steering to some degree. It's all a matter of how much the rear arm is allowed to travel when experiencing a certain degree of force.

If you want to read more about it, there is a post on honda-tech where Tyson and Kwicko got into a bit of a discussion about it. (with pics of the difference on the chassis)

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1268359