suspension questions

[Jay eS Iye]

i'm hoping to do my suspension either tomorrow of friday, but i have a couple questions

i got outer balljoints, but it saws i need a press, how can i do them with everyday tools?

how many splines do out axles have, 23 or 26? also just the boot is bad on the passenger side, should i just replace that or get new axles? i have a d16a6 with the DX tranny.

any tips or suggestions when doing the tie rods, shocks, and springs? i'll be using a helms with it all.

[Jay eS Iye]

anyone? please? tomorrow is the day...

[91civcex4dr]

ha ha ha justin no likes you enough to help i say you should just give me the car back and dont worry about it

[BullShifter]

Which ball joints - upper/lower?

*Check in the manual to see what bolts need to be removed - then soak the shit out them with penetrating oil(not WD40).*

Your going to need more than every day tools to do the springs/shocks.

Tie rod is pretty simple - remove cotter pin - back nut down to the end of the bolt - smack with hammer. Count number of turns when removing - put the new one with the same number of turns(alignment should be done)

Follow directions along with the manual & shocks/springs are also pretty easy unless bolts are frozen. Cut the bump stops in 1/2(shorten) if lowering. Replace the upper strut mounts & dust boots(if needed). Make sure to torque all suspension bolts properly.

If the axle is old or you don't know it's age, replace it. 1 axle is about the same cost as 2 cv boots. Boots don't replace the internals, this is why I suggest axle besides its being easier/cleaner.

Air tools, Spring Compressor, torque wrench will be very helpful.

[91civcex4dr]

hey why dont you go to the auto hobby shop on the base they will most likely have all the tools that you'll need

[91civichatch2571]

Hey Jackasssi, Ive always kinda wondered, how come the bump stops need to be cut in half?

[Hybrid1990crx]

I think they need to be cut because you are lowering the car, witch means the strut is going to travel more, and if you don't cut the bump stop than you will be bottoming out on it a lot? Someone tell me if I'm right cause I wanna know too.

[CZ-R]

Originally Posted by Hybrid1990crx

I think they need to be cut because you are lowering the car, witch means the strut is going to travel more, and if you don't cut the bump stop than you will be bottoming out on it a lot? Someone tell me if I'm right cause I wanna know too.

You're right. If you are lowering the car and don't cut the bump stops you'll be bottoming out like crazy. Just cut 'em in half & you'll be fine.

[Jay eS Iye]

its hte lower ball joints, the uppers come assembled with the control arms. and for the shocks and springs, what other tools do i need other than the spring compressor?

[BullShifter]

Basically like posted above, when the car is lowered the suspension travel decreases. Stock bump stops take up some of that room, so this is why we cut them. You don't want to leave them off completely or the suspension will bottom out metal to metal with no absorber(bump stop). Hard enough bump could hurt your back & damage the suspension.


You can get the upper ball joint seperate, but its a pain in the ass. So I was gonna say get the whole arm. But for the lower, you can use a vise & socket(can't remember size) for removing/installing b.joint instead of the special tool shown in the manual. When you disconnect the ball joint from the control arm, back the nut down to the end & smack it with a hammer.

Impact*,3/8"-1/2" ratchet 10mm-14mm sockets/wreches, hex/allen wrench, possibly a torch for the lower bolts. Nothing like having all the right tools. Lift helps greatly. You could do it without a spring compressor, but you wont see me doing that way. Loaded springs are dangerous, I've seen one go flying all over taking chunks out of the cement floor/wall. Imagine if that was you head or something.

If any bolts break, dont replace them with any old bolt. Suspenion are high grade & very strong.

[Jay eS Iye]

i was planning on getting those manual spring compressors, one on each side of the spring, tighten it and it compresses the spring. but if i got to the auto shop i'm sure they'll have one there too

[BullShifter]

I wouldn't use that type, I'd rather do it with no compressor at all because they don't compress evenly.

[Jay eS Iye]

do i have 23 or 26 splines?

[Jay eS Iye]

Originally Posted by Jay eS Iye

do i have 23 or 26 splines?

i still need to find out so i can order the axles. another question, is it fairly easy to replace just the outer cv boot, b/c i may need to replace that in order to get my alignment. and lastly how long would it take me to do my ball joints without a press