cosmomiller

I just performed a brake bleed and while the wheels were off I checked things out underneath. I found this crossmember bent in the middle. It stretches between the rear wheels just forward of the diff. I am unable to locate it in various schematics and I am not sure how critical this thing is especially with the distortion you see. I am inclined to pull it down to get it as close to straight/level as possible. I would be willing to replace it with an intact one but I am not sure how to properly torque the critical bolt to the subframe. It looks like a few other non-structural bolts are used for supporting other items. So, bend it back or replace? Something bigger going on here?

I am pretty sure what caused the damage. About 6 months ago, driving at walking speed on a terrible, narrow road with a jagged asphalt edge, blinded going in and out of shadows facing the afternoon sun, I jerked to the right avoiding another driver in the middle coming around a bend. The right rear wheel went into a hole and went off the pavement into soft earth. I heard and felt it bottoming out on the edge of the asphalt road. An inspection on the spot revealed nothing.

I noticed a very slight change in the alignment of the car driving home. I checked it out at home and found only a little bent metal on the "C" shape of the crossmember and asphalt pieces in the very end (right side) of the crossmember. I did not notice the middle being bent. I had an alignment performed and it was indeed off slightly.




From the left rear tire looking forward.




Looking aft




Looking aft but mostly straight up to show the bolts/etc.

james0933

Take it off and bend it back. Some upgrade them to a stiffer piece, but I haven't installed one to where I've noticed a difference.

sillyboybmxer

Bend it back. Its so damn weak I think this was put on to make removing exhaust difficult vs providing any structural rigidity.

freetors

I bent that on my car too hitting some roadkill that I couldn't avoid. I eventually just bought a new one from Honda. It's like less than $20 new.

HarryD

Is it one of these (#7??):

http://www.hondapartscheap.com/auto-...ross-beam-scat

freetors

That's it.

Old vs. new

cosmomiller

Thanks guys.

windhund116

Cosmomiller, guess best to replace. Wonder why they didn't fully box the entire brace (with bolt holes, for wrench access)? You prolly need another alignment check?

Good luck with that!

flanders

Get something cheap and shiny that might actually provide some kind of rigidity
http://www.ebay.com/itm//391476157416

windhund116

That one does look boxed. Should be stronger against tweaks and road kills.

Or you could just weld up the OEM one.