Springs or Struts?

My girlfriend's 82 Honda Accord is a rough SOB everytime it hits a bump. How can I tell if the struts are shot, or if the springs are bad?
Flunky
PS-I just got some struts cheap on eBay. I'm wondering if I should do springs at the same time when I install them. Not much aftermarket stuff on ebay for older Accords, so I'll have to stick with stock. Unless you can suggest something. She commutes and uses the hell out of this car.

Ok, excuse me for being off topic! MY car's a 90 Civic LX (just put a header on three days ago). Like I said, it's my girlfriend's ride. At least I got her to dump her Ford Taurus and get a HONDA!
Flunky

It is prolly a combination of both...I had a '78 Civic with saggy springs in the back...but also the shocks were bad too cuz when it got below freezing they didn't work at all and the car bounced like hell..looked like a mini-truck 2" from the ground...so I assume I had moisture in them that froze when it was cold :o

I would check out a junkyard or http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com for some stock replacements...although something in a junkyard prolly isn't in any better condition that your current equipment. :(

She dumped a taurus for an 82 accord? wtf?

It depends on how long its been since the suspension was changed. Struts usually have to be replaced more often than springs.

Thanks! I'll just do the struts and see if that fixes it!
Flunky
PS-The Ford Taurus was near-death. Transmission was doing the BANG! downshift and burning transmission fluid. It was time to let it go.

Oh...and welcome new 4-door guy..:wave:
Make sure you go vote in the 4th gen poll when u get a minute --> http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t55805.html

...and ANY honda is better than a Ford cliTaurus :rolleyes: ;)

I like that idea...replace the struts first, then think about springs.. :)

if you wanna test your strut/spring combo, just push down on the corner of your vehicle you wanna test, and if it bounces more than 3x, its time for new stuff.

Do them both at the same time - especially if you are changing spring rates etc. Why? Because the best way of setting up your car is to have the two balanced to complement each other for best performance. Anything else has the potential to be detrimental.

BTW - don't buy second hand - you're just buying into more trouble - remember, the guys selling them is getting rid of them for a reason. More to the point, you have no idea if the ratios are correct for your springs.

Suspension affects braking. Now personally, if it was my GF's car, I wouldn't be doing anything that might affect the braking abilities of her car... even if it is a XE Ford Falcon :devil: