How to Install a Civic Lower Rear Strut Bar

A Honda Civic is built with unibody construction, meaning that the entire car acts like a frame. In hard cornering situations, the body can flex from side to side. To help stiffen up the chassis, you can install a lower strut bar on the car. This minimizes flex between the lower control arms and the body of the car, and improves handling in the process.

Things You'll Need

• 2 wood blocks, 12 inches long
• Jack
• Jack stands
• Open-end wrench set
• 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
• Rear lower strut bar

Instructions

1. Put the wood blocks in front of the front wheels. Lift up the rear of the car using the jack, and set the rear portion of the car down on the jack stands.

2. Unbolt one of the lower control arms at the center pivot point near the middle of the car, using an open-end wrench and a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Pull the bolt out of the mount. Pick up the lower strut bar and hold it up to the stock lower control arm mount. Put the factory bolt through the hole at the end of the strut bar, the factory mount, and the lower control arm, then secure them all together with the factory nut. Leave the hardware loose for the moment.

3. Repeat Step 2 on the other lower control arm, so that the rear strut bar runs the width of the car, and is bolted to each lower control arm bolt on each side. Tighten down all hardware using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. Lower the car off of the jack stands using the jack.