Another '88 Coupe...

[FederalSecurity]

Okay. I've got it figured out. The hood release lever inside the Accord won't work when I pull it because of too much slack in the hood release cable. A couple of zip-ties in strategic places took up some of the slack. I've also figured out why the hood wouldn't latch down. It seems that the hood release cable is frayed right before it ends at the ball that hooks into the hood latch mechanism, thereby not allowing the latches to lock the striker bar on the hood into place when the hood comes down. Until I repair the frayed cable, manually pushing down on the lever that the ball of the hood release cable hooks into will suffice.

[ecogabriel]

I do have EXACTLY the same armrest in my 86 LXI. Mine came broken as some asshole put his weight (300+lbs) on it at the front end while it was still in the hands of the previous owner (2nd since brand new). I just got it back together.
The car looks rough, but that may be worked out over time. I believe the first priority is making it a reliable daily driver; it mirght take a little time if the car has been neglected but eventually you will get there.
I have to read you r post about the hood latch because sometimes I have problems when opening mine - I would pull the lever all the way but the hood would not release.

[FederalSecurity]

Unfortunately I had to take the dealership armrest out and install an SE-i style armrest that I pulled from a junkyard about a week ago because I put my weight on it and broke it. I just haven't posted anything new because I've been taking some work-related training for the last few days.

The new armrest.


I also put in a third brake light that wasn't busted up.


I installed another taillight as well.


Eventually I'd like to change the interior color with the black interior parts that I've started acquiring. I should have all of the black interior parts with the exception of the driver's side door panel in the next couple of weeks.


Other repairs include repairing the trunk release latch, ripping out the old radio antenna, and installing a new amplified radio antenna in the same cubby that houses the digital dash clock.

[FederalSecurity]

At this point I've replaced the old bumper mounts and straightened out the right corner light mounting bracket.


My major issue now is trying to figure out if I can straighten out the bent parts of the front of the frame with the limited tools that I have.


Does anyone know any tips or tricks for repairing this kind of damage without taking the car to a body shop?

[dieselgus]

Doesn't look too bad to straighten out. Lot of that could be taken out with some careful hammer and dolly work. If you want to be extra precise, in the body section of the service manual there are measurement points for straightening that should help greatly with making sure you are going the right way with it. Other than that, picking up a cheap HF type hydraulic body jack set is also pretty handy.

Main thing......go slow, and take your time.

[FederalSecurity]

Just a small update on the '88 before I start a thread for my '85...some time ago I was driving home from work and the instant I hit my driveway I snapped the ball joint. This Accord is parked until I can replace some of the suspension parts.

[Dr_Snooz]

It's usually a good idea to make sure all the mechanical stuff is in order before going on to the beauty stuff. Sorry your car pooped out.

[MessyHonda]

man this makes me want to replace my rear ball joints. i have not replaced them. they might even be OEM

[FederalSecurity]

An update for the '88 Accord. I've just finished replacing the rear upper control arms and the alternator. This Accord is up and running again.

[FederalSecurity]

Another update has finally come around. A quick visit to eBay, and $169.99 later, the '88 coupe was taken down to the shop where the

brother and step-father work so I could bolt the new exhaust on. It was, as always, a learning experience. With a little bit of guidance from

my step-father, the exhaust was on in short order. It's a good start for future exhaust upgrades like headers, high-flow "cats", and mufflers.

['A20A3']

So whats left of the old armrest...any chance of it being salvaged?

[FederalSecurity]

I think it can be salvaged. I need to find a way to reinforce what's left of the plastic panel inside the armrest with some sturdy metal pieces

that can withstand the weight of my careless, clumsy, "hairless gorilla" upper torso every time I put my weight down on my right elbow.

[J. McNeal]

It's sooo nice to see another Coupe going through a good build/rebuild phase i'm doing my suspension first since my engine and tranny seems to be holding out well enough for now, trying to get interior parts yadda yadda.. Say, where'd you get the black interior parts? I thought about just re-upholstering a lot of my fabric parts, re-doing my door panels with a bit of help from the great RooDoo, and then spraying all the interior plastic black a few layers and trying to find a clear-coat that will hold it all in place without letting it get thrashed.. Bit of a journey, but it would be a lot easier just buying interior pieces that are already black, if available..

[FederalSecurity]

Spokane has a couple of halfway decent junkyards that yield nice items once in a while. The last time I was rummaging through the Mead

location, I found a Phoenix Red hatchback with a black interior.