Tool Rentals (Engine Support Brace)

[Keith DC5]

Does anyone know where I can either purchase or rent a transverse engine support brace?

http://www.toolfetch.com/media/34914.jpg

No luck at Checkers, Napa, Redline, Carquest, Sears :(

Better yet, if you have one may I please borrow it? I'll pay you for your troubles and I'll put down a deposit so that you won't have to worry about it being stolen, etc.

[Outsider]

Never seen one like that before...
Can't you just make one out of metal shelving legs/posts?

How about just using a handtruck and some wood blocks?
At least you'll be able to move it around if you need to.

[Ronin]

can't you just use a cherry picker?

[ikeyballz]

i think its attached to the cherry picker to angle the sucker out.. tight tolerances = bad for just straight up?

[Rob]

No, its to support the engine while the transmission is out.

Dont know anyone that would rent one.... but you would think it would be easy enough to make

[Keith DC5]

can't you just use a cherry picker?

Engine hoists will work too, however the problem still remains the same: finding one to rent.

i think its attached to the cherry picker to angle the sucker out.. tight tolerances = bad for just straight up?

Not quite. As Rob mentioned, it supports the weight of the engine while the transmission (and subframe in my case) are removed:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i315/erikloza/Enginesupportbar.jpg

I guess I'll beg the tool room guys tomorrow to see if I can take one home, otherwise I'll ghetto-rig it using wood (http://www.turbovan.net/scottysupport.JPG).

[idiosyncratic]

you might have to use the wood thingy... you want to borrow? or do you need 2x4s?... i have a few that you could use... altho they're dirty with dried cement here & there (leftovers from when we re-paved our parking spaces...) and they've been sitting outside (might be waterlogged?...) lmk

it was a no-go at Hawaiian Rent All?... They carry a lot of things but not all...

[ikeyballz]

ohh.. ic, never heard of something that does that til now O_o; cool

[Outsider]

Wow that's mean. Never saw one like that. I thought it sat on the ground and held the engine up or something. I guess 2X4 and 4X4 wood blocks would be the cheaper ghetto solution.

I'm all for ghetto solutions. :fingersx:

[Keith DC5]

Thank you for the help everyone. The HCC tool room guys allowed me to take one home so I'm set to go. Now with that being said, who else needs to install a new clutch assembly while I have the engine support available? :p

[kingskwerly]

ive used those for years they work great for transverse engines. they shouldnt be hard to fing if you work on alot of front wheel drives its worth buying one. i bought one from a friend when i was a young honda kid

[xurusaibobx]

how does this work? it supports the motor while u drop the trans or subframe?

[Keith DC5]

how does this work? it supports the motor while u drop the trans or subframe?

Yeah that's exactly what it does. You use the J-bolt, cables, and/or the provided chains to hold the engine in place. Most engines have brackets that you can hook the engine support onto, and it'll support the engine's weight as you remove the mounts, etc.

[Ronin]

looks like you found one. I was going to tell you that I have access to 3 cherry pickers. I'm sure one of my friend would allow you to use one if I asked them.

[xurusaibobx]

damm so can i use this to install motor mounts in my corolla?

[Rob]

Engine hoists will work too, however the problem still remains the same: finding one to rent.



Not quite. As Rob mentioned, it supports the weight of the engine while the transmission (and subframe in my case) are removed:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i315/erikloza/Enginesupportbar.jpg

I guess I'll beg the tool room guys tomorrow to see if I can take one home, otherwise I'll ghetto-rig it using wood (http://www.turbovan.net/scottysupport.JPG).

So...

youre dropping the cradle to change mounts? Sounds kind of extreme...

When I did my Camy front and rear mounts I just used my cherry picker. (Engine hoist):tired:

[Keith DC5]

So...

youre dropping the cradle to change mounts? Sounds kind of extreme...

When I did my Camy front and rear mounts I just used my cherry picker. (Engine hoist):tired:

I'm dropping the subframe in order to remove the transmission, since I'm installing a new clutch assembly. While the subframe and transmission are out, I'm taking the opportunity to install new motor mounts, among several other things, such as the turbocharger, etc :)

Basically everything in red is what I'll be doing in the next couple of days:
http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=401515

[Rob]

Do you really have to drop the cradle to R&R the trans?...

THats a lotta freaking work... I would think you can get away with just lowering it partway to gain clearance. complete drop requires steering and strut removal as well right?....

Sorry, I'm a lazy bastid and I will always find the method that allows the minimal work...

[Keith DC5]

Do you really have to drop the cradle to R&R the trans?...

THats a lotta freaking work... I would think you can get away with just lowering it partway to gain clearance. complete drop requires steering and strut removal as well right?....

Sorry, I'm a lazy bastid and I will always find the method that allows the minimal work...

Unfortunately for me, yes the subframe needs to be removed in order to R&R the transaxle. It's not too much work actually. Maybe an extra 10 minutes or so to unbolt the knuckle from the strut assemblies, remove the calipers and rotors, remove the axle nuts and axles, and uninstall the antiroll bar. The steering linkages and the struts themselves are left alone. The only bad thing about this entire ordeal is that I'll have to do it laying down under the car :p Time to get dirty...

[xurusaibobx]

how this install goo?

i need to install some motor mounts in my car soon

[ArchangelX]

LOL...why get all complicated. Just use some wood. Worked for me. :D

But I can understand, actually, wanting to do it right. The problem for me, is sometimes I don't have the tools to do it right (as in your situation) so you just have to make do.

Are you putting in stiffer motor mounts or something? Oh, and outta curiosity...aren't you freakin' scared as hell to do all that to the car with all the thieves out there? I'd be shitting my pants...the only thing that makes me slightly comfortable about modding my RX7, is the rarity of it.

Or are the RSXs not as popular on the stolen car list? I've had my car broken into twice (my Celica GTS). Makes ya skittish about doing stuff.

[Keith DC5]

how this install goo?

i need to install some motor mounts in my car soon

The install went very smoothly. I replaced all of the mounts with full polyurethane, R&R'd the trans to replace the clutch assembly, installed my turbo system, installed the various other components relevant to the turbocharger (tapping the oil pan for a return line, etc). It only took ~3 days.

LOL...why get all complicated. Just use some wood. Worked for me. :D

But I can understand, actually, wanting to do it right. The problem for me, is sometimes I don't have the tools to do it right (as in your situation) so you just have to make do.

Are you putting in stiffer motor mounts or something? Oh, and outta curiosity...aren't you freakin' scared as hell to do all that to the car with all the thieves out there? I'd be shitting my pants...the only thing that makes me slightly comfortable about modding my RX7, is the rarity of it.

Or are the RSXs not as popular on the stolen car list? I've had my car broken into twice (my Celica GTS). Makes ya skittish about doing stuff.

In hindsight, wood would've worked although it would have been rather nerve racking. Laying down under an engine and transaxle for 3 days, hoping the wood doesn't splinter and snap wouldn't be very fun :p

I actually installed several things at once since I had to remove the subframe. Motor mounts, clutch, turbocharger, etc. all required the subframe to be removed, so I did all 3 in one shot.

The RSX surprisingly has a very low theft rate. The immobilizer feature keeps the fuel pump from functioning, so even if you had an identically cut key, the car wouldn't start. You'll need the electrical signal from the key's microchip if you want to drive off with an RSX.

Currently the only ways to steal an RSX is to have a flatbed tow truck, or break into one, and swap out the ECM for Hondata's KPRO ECM (it allows you to turn off the immobilizer). I don't worry too much because my car is garage kept and I keep it covered during school, work, etc. The only thing I'm worried about is vandalism while I'm parked at Ala Moana or Ward Centers, etc.

[xurusaibobx]

yups...am just worried about pricks at the mall and at school (hit and run)

my car has the imobilizer as well, wont start without the chip key, along with the factory alarm wont disarm without the fob...

i need to add another alarm as well....

[ikeyballz]

the best way i saw.. was to just master lock the whole van door :ohnoes: lol, jk...anyone with a bolt cutter coulda got through it..

but just imagine, who would do it?! gotta be some moke/redneck action for a masterlock.. dont wanna mess with that!