spring compressor?

[susan94civic]

Hey guys, I just got my H&R springs today. I just wonder do I need a spring compressor. I looking at direction that came with KYB AGX installing and it looks pretty straight forward. It has a picture on how to assemble the springs and shocks together with no mention of spring compressor. It should be staright forward. Right!!

[BullShifter]

Yes you need a spring compressor to remove old springs from old strut & to install new spring on new strut. The old must be taken apart because there are parts you need.

http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual...s/91-18-17.jpg
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual...s/91-18-18.jpg
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual...s/91-18-24.jpg

Make sure to cut bump stops in half before reinstalling.

[susan94civic]

The old must be taken apart because there are parts you need.

There's nothing from old part that I need because I'm planning on buying kyb strut & shock mount from tirerack. I figure it would be easier to buy all the parts new and put it together. This way I don't have to worry about rusty bolt. I'm not strong to mess with rusty parts.

[BullShifter]

Trust me, you will need parts from the old. I have lowered many cars in my time.

You might want to soak all bolts that will be removed for install. There is a very high chance a bolt or two maybe frozen inside a bushing. This means cutting the strong suspension bolts & replacing the LCA bushing(s). Only use high grade bolts not somce $0.20 piece of junk from a hardware store. Honda can supply you with the correct bolts, they cost about $5.00 each

or try www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

[SilverY2KCivic]

Actually if she buys brand new bolts from Honda (or Grade-8 or higher eqivallent size bolts from a hardware store) then she won't have to mess with anything from the old strut setup. Also don't you only need a spring compressor if you are going to be seperating the stock springs from the stock struts? I dunno, maybe one is needed to put the new stuff together...

[BullShifter]

Ok. . . .what about the bump stops? How you gonna get them off without removing springs frrom strut? Cut them off? Then they are worthless. Mounting bases, mount rubber, etc. KYB does not make those parts, only upper strut rod bushing/mounts.

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

Ok. . . .what about the bump stops? How you gonna get them off without removing springs frrom strut? Cut them off? Then they are worthless. Mounting bases, mount rubber, etc. KYB does not make those parts, only upper strut rod bushing/mounts.

Ahh, that stuff I wasn't aware of. See, with my Teins it came with everything I needed already attached.

[susan94civic]

Originally Posted by SilverY2KCivic

Ahh, that stuff I wasn't aware of. See, with my Teins it came with everything I needed already attached.

Hey Silver2kcivic,

I wish I had talk to you before and got some teins instead of kyb. But I listen to Jackassi and now He got me doing some heavy work with messing around with my old stock springs and shocks, just to get some rusty parts off . Silver you advise is welcome anytime.


susan

[boosted k20]

you dont need a spring compressor. this is what i do:

This is the method for removing the front springs w/o a compressor.

with the whole shock assembly still in the car-

jack up the car and support it with jack stands. remove the bolt that connects the fork to the Lower Control Arm. place your jack on the bottom of the fork and jack it up a bit to compress the spring a little bit. then loosen the center nut on the shock. (The nut that screws onto the top of the shock shaft) with this nut removed, slowly lower your jack. sloooooooowly! the spring should be uncompressed now.


to install it back, put all the new pieces like bump stop, washers, etc. into your kyb shocks and new springs. then place all the componets back in the car. once again use the jack and place it under the bottom of the fork. jack up the fork (which should be attached to the strut) and guide the shaft of the strut through the hole in the fender. once the shaft is through the hole, use the washer and nut and tighten it onto the shaft. then attach the bolt to the lower control arm and fork.

thats it!

i never tried to take the rear spring outta the shock without a spring compressor yet. but im gonna try it on monday beacuase im getting my bilstein shocks for the rear delivered on that day.
but since i have aftermarket springs in the car already, i dont need a spring compressor for the rear =)


But if what i just said is confusing, just get yourself a spring compressor from autozone. you can rent it for free (u just leave a deposit and u get it back when u return the compressor)

and if your car is old, like jackassi stated, the bolts might be frozen in the bushing in the rear of the car. u might need to cut the bolt off and press out the bushing and press in a new one. thats what happened to me on my 97 integra.
the fronts are much easier to install than the rear!

[BullShifter]

Tein coilovers are a hell of a lot different than normal struts & springs.

You'd have to take the rusty bolts NO MATTER what suspension choice you go with. Upper bolts inside DO NOT rust and are removed easily, those would be the ones to remove spring. Now the lower bolts are the ones I'm talking about. Get a manual & figure it yourself next time!

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally Posted by susan94civic

Hey Silver2kcivic,

I wish I had talk to you before and got some teins instead of kyb. But I listen to Jackassi and now He got me doing some heavy work with messing around with my old stock springs and shocks, just to get some rusty parts off . Silver you advise is welcome anytime.


susan

No problem Susan. I just don't recommend them to everyone, since not everyone needs something like true full coilovers. This is mainly due to price. On average they are about $800-$1000 for a set! You'll only be paying half of that for your setup. He just recommended what would be best, and most cost efficient for your situation, and I'd agree with that. Yes, a little more work to install, but it should still have a good ride when all is said, done and installed. If Tein seems like your cup of tea you could always sell the stuff you got (or return it if the place of purchase allows that) and then get Teins instead. Otherwise we'll do what we can to help you out with the install.

[susan94civic]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

Get a manual & figure it yourself next time!

Calm down Jackassi, your pictures were very helpful. Your advise is welcome anytime too.

thanks all