"Crash bar" at "B" pillar of EJ6 Hatch


MotorMo

MotorMo

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USDM 1997 EJ6
Upon installing EK9 rear interior trim panels in my EJ9 hatch, I found in order to make the EK9 panels fit , I needed to remove three steal plates that are bolted near the B pillar, in front of the fuel pump cover. I'm guessing these plates are only on US 6th gen Civics for side impact from a collision to improve Safety Ratings?? Or are they there to improve chassis rigidity? I don't believe any of the EK chassis have the plates?? I'm not one to compromise structural rigidity for good looks. Any one have any experience with these plates?
 

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These, 38-40, are only available in US after 98 models, I would keep them.

image.jpg
 
Thanks for the reply and info. Confirmed #38-40 are the plates in question- Do you know what Honda labels these as?, thanks.
What is the thought behind your recommendation of keeping them installed?
My car is a '97 hatchback- found a '96 hatchback in the junk yard and also found these plates installed.
Talked to an older shop foreman at Honda, said he remembered something about a Technician Service Bulletin that came out shortly after the 6th gen civic release that talked about their installation- but couldn't find the T.S.B. and was unsure of the details.
Thanks again for the detailed diagram.
 
Well, these bars are there to minimize the impact from T bone crash, so I'd keep them for safety reasons.
 
My old USDM '96 hatch didn't have this extra bracing. As far as I know it was only added on the '98 and later USDM models for safety as Hikaru stated. It can be added to the older models though. I had thought about adding it to mine for chassis stiffening but decided that the extra weight and having to purchase new carpet, side panels and lower rear seat cushion just wasn't worth it.
 
Great to get some clarity on the situation, thank you Hikaru and ImmortalOne for your input.

Hikaru, sounds like the approach from Honda was for safety, rather than chassis integrity. For a 100% track car, these sound pointless if a roll cage was installed perhaps.

Interesting ImmortalOne about your interior- sounds like the 96-97 hatches have different trim panels, carpet, and seats than the 98-00's. I'll do some research on this today at work.
Thanks again.
 
You're welcome. It was years ago when I checked and I confirmed by visual inspection, much as you have. The carpet, side panels and lower rear seat cushion just wouldn't physically allow for the bracing.
It's possible that there may not be different part numbers due to the safety improvement and the newer part numbers superseding the old. Also, my EJ6 had the Type F, light gray interior where as the later models only had the Type K, dark gray.
 
Can someone from US confirm that the sedan has the same crash bar pieces? I'm sure the coupe and hatchback have them.
 
I've confirmed the coupe also has them via the junk yard. Not sure about the sedans tho. I can check that out this weekend.
Confirmed through Honda that the '96 rear trim panel and carpet fits only a '96....but the model years of 97-00 are all interchangeable.
Interesting about the color change ImmortalOne- Honda also told me that the part numbers of the rear panels where different between the light grey and dark grey options- I wonder if light grey was only a 96 option with out the crash bars, and the dark grey was only in the civics with the bars in place (97-00)?
 
I can confirm that the coupes have them too. Not sure on the sedans, doesn't look like it from the parts diagram though (2000 EX sedan):
sedan.jpg


Yes, different part numbers for the light gray interior parts... and hard to find too. I've noticed Honda lists several pieces in the Type F color as discontinued where as they're still available in Type K. It was a pain when I drove and was working on my '96. As a side note, it was totaled and now just sits, with nearly perfect Type F interior...
Btw, my friend's '97 EX coupe also has the Type F interior, not sure of the crash bar though. I'll have to check.
 
I was asking about sedan because I saw this diagram comes with it, but I can't click on the number. This diagram is, for sedan apparently, from hondaparts.com

index.php
 
From what I've found, all facelift cars have this. My facelift EJ9 has it, weighs a fair amount but I'd assumed it was for safety.
 
If the EK4 also has it, then maby its a year cut off, instead of a USDM only install? Curious about that-. Thanks for all the input.
My friend EM1 (2000 Civic SI) also has one for the record.
I wouldn't think that the chassis would flex much (if at all) at the location that these bars are installed. It seems like these are for crash safety only, perhaps to stop the gas tank from exploding upon side impact. Hope we never have to find out haha.
 
Hikaru said:
I was asking about sedan because I saw this diagram comes with it, but I can't click on the number. This diagram is, for sedan apparently, from hondaparts.com
Click to expand...

That is interesting that it shows in that diagram. Though I have seen similar conflicts with other parts as well... it will show in the diagram but not be listed in the part numbers below for the specific model that you're looking at. The diagram that I posted was for a USDM 2000 Honda Civic 4 Door EX; KA 5MT from Hondapartsnow.com. I checked a few other sites and for a DX model as well with the same results (diagram).
No one has or knows anyone with a sedan that can physically check? I don't. I searched for interior pics online but only found a modified JDM pre-facelift EK. Doesn't look like there's a place for the bolt in brace on it. Perhaps the floor design in the sedans doesn't require or allow for one?
8596568324_a62ddc489d_o.jpg
 
Agreed, Honda catalogs can some times be only half the truth. It seems there some "fine print" in some scenarios.

Interesting photo, kinda looks like the 3 bars on the coupe and hatch wouldn't fit on the 4 door. Unless the 4 door has its own 3 bars that fit only the 4 door. I'm going to the junk yard tomorrow and will find out.
 
I don't think it's gonna fit the sedan, but I've never seen any pictures with one in the sedan from google.
 
Confirmed today that the sedans don't have the crash bar. Inspected a '99 4 door Civic Lx at the junk yard. There's no room for the bars, and the rear lower cushion bracket gets inserted into the chassis, unlike the hatch's and coups, where the cushion gets secured into the brace.
I'll post picks as soon as my phone lets me send it. ( my phone has issues )
 
Interestingly enough the sedan shares almost identical floor panel, but it's only considered by Honda to have reinforcement on hatchback and coupe.
 
And there it is. So glad to finally shed some light on these bars and what they're all about. Thanks for everyone for your input and efforts. Another one of Honda's mystery' solved.
:drive:
 
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