98 DC2 VTI-R Rear Subframe crack

**Sir Revalot** · 09-01-2007 04:14 PM

Hi all,

This happened a while ago but I forgot to post about it.

I have a '98 VTI-R Integra. It is stock except for upgraded suspension (shocks, springs, camber kits, rear strut brace and upgraded rear swaybar - Whiteline 23mm).

Basically I heard a clunking noise after a reasonable boot through the twisties and upon closer inspection the mounting point where the rear swaybar bolts on had actually cracked!

It has been fixed. Took it to a specialist suspension repair place and they not only welded the cracked section back together, but also strengthened it further by making up some brackets and welding them in. The guy who fixed it said that it will now be OK with the thicker swaybar and shouldn't cause me any more issues. Cost $550 which, all things considered is not a bad price to pay. Just wanted to warn anyone thinking of doing similar mods that it may be best to spend the $$ up front and have the rear section strengthened if fitting a heavy duty swaybar (the standard one is 18mm if I'm not mistaken, so 5mm increase is pretty big!)

**JasonGilholme** · 09-01-2007 04:28 PM

Did you use the heavy duty mounting bracket that is reccommended for anything bigger then a 22mm whiteline Rear sway bar?

**Spunkymonkey** · 09-01-2007 07:51 PM

Yes your supposed to reinforce the subframe when you go bigger.

**Mr_will** · 09-01-2007 08:09 PM

tell us more about what you used to mount the rear swaybar - did you use the heavy duty whiteline brackets?

i am running a 22mm swaybar on my da9, which comes stock with a 14.7mm one. i havent tracked it, but ive done a driving course with this setup, no problems so far.

**bennjamin** · 09-01-2007 09:13 PM

Notice for anyone ~ upgrading a swaybar on any car will cause premature cracking if not reinforced properly.

I had the exact same thing happen ~ 18mm upgrade on my civic ( stock 14mm) and it ripped out the mounts in a few weeks

**Sir Revalot** · 09-01-2007 10:25 PM

Oops - I think it was a 22mm (it was the Whiteline Blade adjustable).

Yes I used all the Whiteline mounting gear. I hadn't even heard of this kind of thing happening before so thought I'd let you all know!

Mr Will - my car is regularly driven spiritedly through some very twisty roads. It took a good few months before it cracked, but lets just say it will happen if you have a thicker swaybar than standard, drive hard and don't have the subframe/mounting points reinforced properly by a professional!

**string** · 10-01-2007 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Sir Revalot

Mr Will - my car is regularly driven spiritedly through some very twisty roads. It took a good few months before it cracked, but lets just say it will happen if you have a thicker swaybar than standard, drive hard and don't have the subframe/mounting points reinforced properly by a professional!

My DA with the same bar (set on the stiffer of the two settings) has been well loved for over a year now, no dramas (G's about the max you'll get out of a street tyre). King springs in the rear too so it's just asking to tear.

If it does tear, i'll be damned it's gonna get a truck load of weld all over it

**JasonGilholme** · 10-01-2007 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by bennjamin

Notice for anyone ~ upgrading a swaybar on any car will cause premature cracking if not reinforced properly.

I had the exact same thing happen ~ 18mm upgrade on my civic ( stock 14mm) and it ripped out the mounts in a few weeks

How much of an extra rienforcement is needed?

Just the heavy duty gear from whiteline or something more substantial like the the ASR Sub brace?

SIR REVALOT: Out of interest were you running a rear tie bar as well?? I reckon the rear tie bar will hold to mounting points together better and make them stronger.

**Sir Revalot** · 10-01-2007 06:11 PM

String - only a matter of time mate! Mine was on the lowest of the 2 settings (cause when you jacked up the car on the high setting it would almost hit the shocks - didn't have this prob on the lower setting)

Not sure how much extra reinforcement is needed Jason, but a specialist would be able to help you out. Don't go to Pedders or somewhere like that, take it to a suspension repair specialist.

I wasn't running a tie bar, but I think the same problem most likely would have occurred regardless.

The main reason that I thought I wouldn't need to do any reinforcement was because the DC2 also had a typeR come out the same year, but I learned in another thread here of the extra reinforcement they have from factory; including the rear subframe!

**Mr_will** · 10-01-2007 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Sir Revalot

String - only a matter of time mate! Mine was on the lowest of the 2 settings (cause when you jacked up the car on the high setting it would almost hit the shocks - didn't have this prob on the lower setting)

Not sure how much extra reinforcement is needed Jason, but a specialist would be able to help you out. Don't go to Pedders or somewhere like that, take it to a suspension repair specialist.

I wasn't running a tie bar, but I think the same problem most likely would have occurred regardless.

mmm it doesnt really seem like youre basing these conclusions on anything other than your own experience. I have not heard of many examples of tear outs when the whiteline reinforcement kit has been used.

also you have simpled discounted the relevance of the tie bar, which i dont think is warranted, considering that it acts to reduce the flexing of the subframe, i would say that it would reduce the risk of a tear out, though how significant that reduction would be, I am not sure.