So I finally got up the money needed to get my car looked at after paying off some bills. I got it towed to a local place that claims they specialize in Honda/Acura's. I told them to check out my power steering system and the core support. They called me back today and the first thing that they mention is that my brakes have NO pressure and don't engage... I started the car up and stepped on the brake and everything the day before I got it towed to the shop, so I'm thinking WTF!? Then he tells me my front left LCA is broken (which makes sense, I was in an accident) but he quoted me $400 to fix JUST that! I also asked him how much a compression test would cost just because I was curious, he said $180 which sounds rediculously high to me. Finally, he starts to act like he's saying bye, and I go, "what about the power steering?" and he says that everything is fine. I asked about the loud squeeling that was coming from it whenever I turned the wheel and he said that they never noticed that... this noise is really loud, impossible to miss.

So basically, I think they're trying to screw me over, what do you guys think I should do?

 

if there is still fluid in the lines, the car stops(andgoes with no drag)when driven and whatnot, the brakes are probably fine. just check the lines, the master cylinder, the calipers for any cracks or anything abnormal. if the $400 to replace the LCAincludesa brand new LCA, then its probably about right. the part retails at about $270(can be had new for about $200 online). if they get the full arm, its a little more work/time. $180 for compression test is crap,its an easy15mins tops(i just did one on my car today).

 

I just found a used one on ebay for $60 shipped (Front LCA). If I order it, would it be worth it for me to try to install it myself, or should I just have them do it? Also, they claim that it's my master cylinder that's busted, so if that's the case I'll need to buy another one obviously... I've heard that an Integra's MC will give you better response, should I get one for an integra or just get another civic MC? Thanks for the fast response, and I know that $180 for a compression test is FUBAR.

 

wow the compresion test cost is NUTS!!!!!!! i dont know.... i think id pay to have the car towed somewhere else....

 

my bad, if this is for a 6th gen civic, the front LCA is about $60($210) cheaper retail new, not much but still a little difference in overall costs i imagine. first u need to find out where exactly thedamage on the LCA is.see in the picture below which area the damage isat and if the other area is affected. if its just the LCA(circled in red), u can just snag that part. if its the arm extending off of the LCA(circled in blue), u can just get thatpart. if their both affected, u'll needboth of those arms which is what cost about $210new. used LCA's u need to be careful with, just make sure the bushings are in good shape and that the car has not been in an accident that could have damaged the LCA. installing them is pretty easy. as u can see in the picture, there arnt very many bolts or other items that need to be removed to do the work. as for the master cylinder, its always best to buy a brand new one. i dont know about the integra one, but i'd just go with one designed for ur car. dont buy a re-built one, not as reliable and these are ur brakes ur talking about. they arnt very pricey new, just get a new one from like advanced auto, auto zone, pep boys, etc...their also not very difficult to install. pretty straight forward work and no special tools needed.

with a Haynes or Chilton manual, u shouldnt have much problem doing these.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4748/531D8550E1AC44BE8BE2F6C7ABADFACE.jpg[/IMG]

 

i have the same problem, since my car was stolen i noticed a squeel when i turn the wheel, i tohught the pump was going out, if u find out let me know good luck with it and i wouldnt go back to that shop $180 for a compression test?

 

Thanks a lot guys, I'm going up to the shop tomorrow to take a look at it, I'll keep you posted.

 

Okay, went to the shop today. Guy now tells me that the brakes do have pressure... wtf? He also said that they now heard the sound from the power steering pump also, more noticably when the engine was cold. I don't think they even started the car untill today.

Anyway, he tells me that the pump looks fine but the fluid is brown (I noticed that also when I added some honda fluid to it) He thinks that the previous owner put in the wrong fluid and it's causing problems, which doesn't make sense to me because this noise only started happening after the accident. Anyway, I told him to flush the system and put in new fluid for me ($120) and he'll call me back to let me know if it works. The LCA is bent back about an inch, it's only the lower part (circled in red up above thanks to civicexracer).

Now the question is... if the power steering fluid flush will fixthat problem, would I be safe to drive the car back to my house from the shop (10 miles) with the bent LCA? Or would that be a risk of more damage? Keep in mind I drove the car back home in it's current condition after the accident (about 5 miles).

 

I'm just now working with the suspension on my 89 civ during an engine replacement. I would think that driving it at all would indeed put unusual wear and tear on parts that may be otherwise okay. If you know what the problem is, I'd leave that baby at the shop and fix it in his parking lot (lol) or get it towed home and fix it. To me, it would be worth the extra cheddar to make sure I'm not fuxing up other parts. In my opinion, you've got too many things attached tothe LCAwhich are too valuble to assume a risk. Then again, if cheddar is tight, you do what you gotta do, right? ----Cut the damn cheese![sm=guilty.gif]

 

Won't fit, the bolts are at an angle.