Lowering spring installation...

[MikeyThumbs]

Well I decided that I HAVE to lower my car... i can't take the monster truck look anymore!

I know a lot of people will say not to, but I've decided that I am going to buy a set of Tein S-tech springs for my 10' LX-S coupe and slap them on the stock struts.. Money is extremely tight and a coilover kit is not in the cards right now. Plus I had springs on my 99' prelude's stock struts for over 80K with no problems so I'll take my chances

I've never used a spring tool for removing springs from the struts before and heard they can be VERY dangerous. I was wondering how difficult the install really is, including the use of this tool. *note i don't have any air tools, this will all be done with hand tools..

I've seen it in action, youtube videos, etc. but I want to be SURE that I can handle this before I go jumping into anything here.

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being most difficult) how would you guys rate a spring job?

I am definitely mechanically inclined, have replaced a clutch on my motorcycle with 0 knowledge on how to do so...I've done brakes, oil changes, plugs, CV axle, upper control arm, etc...
Removing the stock strut/spring assembly seems easy enough, I'm just worried about the spring removal/re-installation..

So what do you think... go for it or just bring it to a shop?
If I were to bring it to a shop, what would be a fair price to pay for the install only on a set of springs? (I am in the Long Island/NYC area so mind you prices will be more than most other places I'm assuming)

Thanks in advance...

[sodaks2k]

The fronts are really easy. Maybe 30 minutes per side. The rears are just a hair more difficult due to getting to the top nuts and SBEL's.. Instead of removing the sway bar end link though, I just remove the bracket that connects to the sway bar end link. Saves time and the headache of trying to remove the link. Rears may take an hour per side.

[namegoeshere]

$200-$300 for a shop to do everything for you.

You could probably cut that by 50% (or more) if you remove everything yourself and take the OEM springs/struts to a shop to have them swap the springs for you.

[ricerocket]

Removing the suspension is very simple and straight forward depending on which you own, sedan or coupe. The rear top hat nuts for the coupe are deep down inside the rear shelf and are a bit hard to reach. For the sedan both the front and rear are a cinch. I removed my suspension in about 30 minutes total for all 4 sides with the help of 1 friend to stand on the brake hubs when necessary for better clearance.

De-assembly should be easy as well, I re-assembled my suspension because I have TEIN coilovers which require that you re-use a bunch of stock components, and there's only so many parts. When using the spring compressor it's just 4 hooks on top and 4 hooks on the bottom that hook onto the spring and you tighten it down to keep the spring compressed. Then you just need to use a breaker bar with a wrench to break the top nut free and start loosening the top hat assembly and then release the spring. All-in-all this process should add 1-2 hours on top of whatever time it takes you to remove and reinstall the suspension on the car. I say save yourself the money and do it yourself.

[cascivic]

If your as handy as you claim to be borrow the spring compressor from the auto parts store and DIY. It's not that bad just make sure it's as straight up and down before you start cranking it down(impact helps here since it doesn't give you that twisting motion). Personally I wouldn't do it till ou saved for some shocks that won't blow start leaking or give you that bobble ride but hey it's not my car or time

[MikeyThumbs]

Thanks for the replies guys ... I'll hopefully get around to ordering the springs within the next couple of weeks.. Hopefully it warms up a bit outside in the meantime... been FRIGID here the past few days!

I'm sure I'll be able to handle it, I just needed a little push

I'll try to keep track of everything and post a DIY for the install on the forums.

[namegoeshere]

Although this DIY is for the coupe, it still might help a little.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=41858

[MikeyThumbs]

Thanks for the link namegoeshere!... I actually have a coupe so this is PERFECT!

Can anybody recommend a spring compressor tool? I would like one with the safety pins but I don't want to spend a fortune, maybe $60 max..

[MikeyThumbs]

One more thing.. I know there are mixed ideas about installing a camber kit... With the Tein springs, is a camber kit absolutely NECESSARY? I plan on rotating the tires often to avoid any uneven tire wear. I've heard that usually more than a 2" drop would require a camber kit and any less you should be ok. Seems that the Tein S-techs lower your car "up to" 1.5" which to me means that I will get 1.2 - 1.3 out of it..

What do you think.. will I be okay without it?

[glen e]

you will need at least the one arm for springs....

[namegoeshere]

You should be able to rent a spring compressor tool from your local auto parts stores (AutoZone, O-Reillys, Advance Auto, etc.)

[MikeyThumbs]

Thanks name I know I can rent one, just figured for a few more dollars I could own one brand new and have it for future projects..


BTW, not to doubt what you have stated glen, here is an interesting link I found regarding camber kits on honda-tech. Not sure the rules of posting links to other forums on here, but found this interesting.

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2614449

Many people there seem to have been running stock suspension with no camber kits installed on their lowered vehicles.

I think I will see how it is with the stock setup, rotating every 5K and if i notice any uneven wear I will look into the 1-arm kit.

[namegoeshere]

Originally Posted by MikeyThumbs

Thanks name I know I can rent one, just figured for a few more dollars I could own one brand new and have it for future projects..

The ones they rent (more like borrow since rent deposit is refunded when you return tool) are pretty much the same cheap units that you can buy for about $20-$30.

Unless you're going to get

something nice

something nice

($150+)



I'd just rent/borrow instead and save my $20-$30.

Originally Posted by MikeyThumbs

BTW, not to doubt what you have stated glen, here is an interesting link I found regarding camber kits on honda-tech. Not sure the rules of posting links to other forums on here, but found this interesting.

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2614449

Many people there seem to have been running stock suspension with no camber kits installed on their lowered vehicles.

I think I will see how it is with the stock setup, rotating every 5K and if i notice any uneven wear I will look into the 1-arm kit.

Only way to know if you'll really need it is to get an alignment after install.

[4G63attack]

Originally Posted by MikeyThumbs

Thanks name I know I can rent one, just figured for a few more dollars I could own one brand new and have it for future projects..


BTW, not to doubt what you have stated glen, here is an interesting link I found regarding camber kits on honda-tech. Not sure the rules of posting links to other forums on here, but found this interesting.

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2614449

Many people there seem to have been running stock suspension with no camber kits installed on their lowered vehicles.

I think I will see how it is with the stock setup, rotating every 5K and if i notice any uneven wear I will look into the 1-arm kit.

depends how low you drop your car if its more then 2inches then you will need a camber kit. If its anything around an inch your stock camber can most likely correct it.

[2010 LX]

DON'T DO IT (springs only)! You WILL regret it. Ask me how I know . I had Eibach Pro-kit springs installed on my wife's 2010 LX with only 12,000 miles on the car. No after market struts were available at that time. After install, the struts had significant wear after 10,000 miles and were completely shot after 15,000 miles (can you say Bobble Head?). This was on a daily driver and my wife drives like a little old lady!

With the Pro-kit, no camber kit was necessary. Rear camber was off by only -0.1 degree. I rotated the tires at every oil change and wear is even. 95% of the time, it rode like stock. You couldn't feel the difference unless it was pushed hard into a corner.

I have replaced the oem struts recently with Koni FSD. WOW!!!!!!!!! What a big difference in ride and handling (very compliant and responsive without being harsh). Was thinking about adding TSX rear sway bar before..........may not need them now. Will reassess after more mileage.

DO it right the first time! If you don't, it will cost you 2X in labor and alignments.