Well I noticed an annoying vibrating noise coming from under the car near the back of the motor area. I first thought it might be a simple fix. Like a loose bolt somewhere or something. But I found that the metal plate that you bolt the header to near the O2 sensor is cracked. Damn it! Has this happened to anyone? How does this happen? My header is in excellent condition (no bottoming out). I guess I have to get it welded??? How do I prevent this from happening again?
it's a little piece of sheet metal looking thing that has holes so you attach your header to the car. It's not more than a 3"x4" piece of metal that is about 1/8" thick. There are two bolts on top and two bolts on bottom of this thing and there is a crack right in between the top and bottom bolts all the way across. My header is Greddy SS.
I have a crack in the same exact spot.. I first noticed it when changing my oil.... and I too have a strange vibrating sound under certain engine rpms..... crap...
Just replace that brace, should be very cheap from Honda. That brace is held in the chassis by two bolts. Remove those and then remove the two bolts that hold the header brace to it and just replace it. It's a total of 4 bolts that you will have to remove.
At least the header brace didn't break, you would have had to replace the header or live with the vibration!
I'm not sure how you can prevent it, because it is caused by engine movement. Your engine is going to move no matter what.
The only thing I can think of is, maybe your engine mounts are shot and need to be replaced. If your mounts are bad, it could cause excessive engine movement.
Yeah but the crack is on the header brace I think? I mean I can see the crack going straight across between the 2 upper bolt and the two lower bolts.. how can I tell if it is the header brace or the chasis brace??
Originally posted by a1andres Yeah but the crack is on the header brace I think? I mean I can see the crack going straight across between the 2 upper bolt and the two lower bolts.. how can I tell if it is the header brace of the chasis brace??
Just look closely, you can visably see which brace is which. The header brace is welded to header and the chassis brace is screwed to the car. The two braces are then bolted together by two bolts. It's very easy to tell the difference between the two when you are under the car.
Originally posted by Mark94 I'm not sure how you can prevent it, because it is caused by engine movement. Your engine is going to move no matter what.
The only thing I can think of is, maybe your engine mounts are shot and need to be replaced. If your mounts are bad, it could cause excessive engine movement.
Mark
Would I feel this excessive vibration or would it be subltle enough for me not to notice. Since you mention engine movement might cause it I check out this story. I recently got a lightened flywheel and new clutch and totally love the way the cars puts torque to the ground. I have Parada tires and they grip like mad. When I hit second the cars almost feels like it has an LSD because there is no torque steer at all it just grips and goes with a hard jolt and anything in the cubby hole under the stereo goes flying out. I didn't feel that before the new clutch and FW. Then, not too long after that I noticed the vibration noise. Hmmm! maybe the way the motor deals with that new torque transfer caused the break? So, I'm wondering if there is a more "heavy duty" type brace that I could get, or like you said new motor mounts (OUCH!). What do you think? I know nothing and this is just a guess. By the way thanks for all your imput Mark.
Would I feel this excessive vibration or would it be subltle enough for me not to notice. Since you mention engine movement might cause it I check out this story. I recently got a lightened flywheel and new clutch and totally love the way the cars puts torque to the ground. I have Parada tires and they grip like mad. When I hit second the cars almost feels like it has an LSD because there is no torque steer at all it just grips and goes with a hard jolt and anything in the cubby hole under the stereo goes flying out. I didn't feel that before the new clutch and FW. Then, not too long after that I noticed the vibration noise. Hmmm! maybe the way the motor deals with that new torque transfer caused the break? So, I'm wondering if there is a more "heavy duty" type brace that I could get, or like you said new motor mounts (OUCH!). What do you think? I know nothing and this is just a guess. By the way thanks for all your imput Mark.
By the way you describe it, this could be the cause for the crack. You may want to get some poly engine mounts which would keep the engine from moving too much (you will feel more vibration throughout the whole car with this option though).
Maybe you can custom fab another plate which when coupled with the stock brace can with stand more stress.
God I hope I don't come off as being thick headed...
Ok I have 4 bolts on that bracket... two lower bolts and two upper bolts.. the crack goes between the upper and lower bolts horizontally... Isn't the header brace bolted on TOP of the chasis brace so that you would not be able to see the chasis brace one the header brace was bolted to it???
I know I should just get under the car and look, but I am at work and hate to be left in suspense
i have a vibrating noise.. almost like metal rattling at 2.1k-2.4k rpm's... and its coming from the passangerside of the engine compartment.. i bet ya mines cracked too =[ i wish i had jack stands.
Originally posted by a1andres God I hope I don't come off as being thick headed...
Ok I have 4 bolts on that bracket... two lower bolts and two upper bolts.. the crack goes between the upper and lower bolts horizontally... Isn't the header brace bolted on TOP of the chasis brace so that you would not be able to see the chasis brace one the header brace was bolted to it???
I know I should just get under the car and look, but I am at work and hate to be left in suspense
I can't remember which is on top (I installed my header over a year and half ago).
I think the header brace may be on top so your header brace may be the one that cracked. I can't remember though if the one completely covered the other. The only way to tell is to get under the car.
Originally posted by Crate i have a vibrating noise.. almost like metal rattling at 2.1k-2.4k rpm's... and its coming from the passangerside of the engine compartment.. i bet ya mines cracked too =[ i wish i had jack stands.
Crate, check your heat shield around your catalytic converter. I had a rattling sound that could only be heard in first gear around 2 - 2.5 RPM's.
It bothered the hell out of me and when I went under the car the bolts that hold the top and the bottom of the shield together had rusted away. The two pieces of the shield were just hitting against eachother so I ripped the heat shield off.
Problem solved, but just remember not to park on top of leaves or low grass.
Hey thanks for all the awesome help!! I will have to crawl unde the car today when i get outta work and see what's up.. do you really think that if the header bracket is cracked I'll have to get a new header to get rid of the noise.... I did notice that this noise started when I launched really crappy and had some bad wheel hop....
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
