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Need help/info! Springs/struts install dropped too much!


phoenixitc
08-09-2004, 08:11 PM
I just had a set of H&R OE springs and Koni yellows installed on my 95 Accord EX 4dr. The rear dropped over two inches . I had the tech set the perch at the lowest setting. I can't even get the alignment done. I only wanted a 1 inch drop.
Should I have the rear struts set to the highest perch? The front looks ok, but the rear is nasty!

Thanks!

boosted k20
08-11-2004, 06:28 PM
they cant do an alignment cuz the cars too low? that was the case for me. i just changed my springs from Koni yellows to H&R sports. it raised my car back up by about 1/4-1/2". Im gonna have to see if i can get my alignment done right now. I had to do my own alignment because the shop couldnt do it. my front tires are wear n down pretty fast so im gonna have to get an alignment done right.

if u cant get the car aligned cuz it's too low, first search around by other shops to see if they can do the alignment. if that doesnt work then put the shock back up to the higher perch. My shocks are set to the highest perch.
Did you have a shop install ur shocks? if so, then that means ur gonna have to pay them some extra cash to raise it back up to the higher perch. u should learn how to do it urself. it's so easy plus u'll save a hellavua lot a $

phoenixitc
08-11-2004, 08:27 PM
they cant do an alignment cuz the cars too low? that was the case for me. i just changed my springs from Koni yellows to H&R sports. it raised my car back up by about 1/4-1/2". Im gonna have to see if i can get my alignment done right now. I had to do my own alignment because the shop couldnt do it. my front tires are wear n down pretty fast so im gonna have to get an alignment done right.

if u cant get the car aligned cuz it's too low, first search around by other shops to see if they can do the alignment. if that doesnt work then put the shock back up to the higher perch. My shocks are set to the highest perch.
Did you have a shop install ur shocks? if so, then that means ur gonna have to pay them some extra cash to raise it back up to the higher perch. u should learn how to do it urself. it's so easy plus u'll save a hellavua lot a $

I had a tuner shop install the struts and springs. I made the mistake of telling him to set the Konis on the lowest perch settings. Wrong move. Yes, I'll have to pay again. I called a shop that specializes in Japanese cars and they said it might be possible to move the struts up without taking apart the whole setup.
Correct, the inability to align the rear is due to the excessive drop. I'd need a camber kit to help but don't want to maintain the drop. A Koni engineer told me stock settings for the Yellows using drop springs is top perch for fronts, middle for rears. An tech support guy at H&R said to call him once I can see the model number printed on the springs. He wants to verify correct part number even though the box states correct number. He said I should see only .25" drop on a 95 Accord with OE Sport springs. He agreed the Koni low perch drops even more.
The Koni engineer told me that the lowest perch settings is not intended to be used with drop springs. Using the lowest settings is meant for those who use factory springs and want a drop of 1".
I will be at the Honda shop tomorrow and will update.

CivicSiRacer
08-11-2004, 09:46 PM
You need to find someone with an in ground alignment rack OR bring some 2x4s and roll your car up on that. This is what I have to do when I get my car aligned.

Also check your local SCCA region and see if they have people they recommend. We have a sponsor in Lancaster, PA who does custom alignments in his shop.

phoenixitc
08-12-2004, 06:16 AM
The mechanic who did the work is an SCCA racer and uses and in-ground rack. The rears were beyond 2, in the red.

phoenixitc
08-12-2004, 06:36 AM
Btw... the owner of the Honda shop I'm going to today is also an SCCA racer and has similar alignment equipment. I'm hoping his mechanics will better understand my Accord. The first mechanic is a BMW tuner and wants to trim my bump stops if I decide to remove the H&R springs and keep the Konis. H&R guy said never cut 95 Accord bump stops because Hondas are very bump stop active.

b18 ls
08-12-2004, 08:41 AM
Call all the alignment shops on the phone and ask if any of them have a PIT for alignments. If they don't, ask for recomendations. I have also done something similar to civicsiracer to get my car on the lift for oil changes. I put two of my wife's collage books under the front tires. Works as good as 2x4's...............fISH

phoenixitc
08-12-2004, 09:23 AM
Ok... um... whatsa PIT? :)

b18 ls
08-13-2004, 08:29 AM
It's a big hole in the floor with two tracks over it for a car to drive on. This way the car doesn't get lifted in the air, the machanic drops under it. They call it a PIT. It's not realy just a hole, it's set up to do alignments with out lifting the car......fISH

phoenixitc
08-13-2004, 09:45 AM
Oh... you mean a pit?! A PIT is an ancronym for something usually three words since you used upper case letters. My shop uses a HOIST, a device used to raise the entire car :)

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