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Lowering my car, what supplies do I need

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Old 05-15-2003, 07:52 PM
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Default Lowering my car, what supplies do I need

I know i will need a Jack, and jackstands, a spring compressor, and socket set, or if Im lucky, air tools, but what else will I need, and if you could, be as precise and complete as possible.

Will there be any bolts or other hardware that i should buy before hand. I have heard that one specific bolt almost always breaks when it is being removed, but i cant remember which one.

Thanks for the help!!
Old 05-15-2003, 07:54 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Briman2021 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I know i will need a Jack, and jackstands, a spring compressor, and socket set, or if Im lucky, air tools, but what else will I need, and if you could, be as precise and complete as possible.

Thanks for the help!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

and wd-40
Old 05-15-2003, 07:56 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

You can rent the spring compressor from Kragen for free.
Old 05-15-2003, 07:57 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

you dont really need a spring compressor to lower it. but you will need an allan wrench to get the bolt off the top of the struts
Old 05-15-2003, 07:57 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

Jack, jackstands, the usuial sockets, an allen wrench (forgot size) for the top of the shock. You don't really need a spring compressor-- Honda's are so light, and w/ the lowering springs, you can just press on the top of the spring and have an 'assistant' put the retaining washer on the top and you'll be all set.

The bolt that always gives everyone trouble is the rear shock-to-Lower control arm bolt. Impact gun is best, if not a breaker bar and some luck.
Old 05-15-2003, 08:21 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Quik Chris)

Will I need to buy any bolts to replace ones that are prone to breaking. That is what I heard from a local shop that has a pretty good reputation.

Thanks for the help so far!!

P.S. About how long should this take for 2 guys with moderate experience with working on cars (neither of us has ever lowered one though) with regular hand tools.
Old 05-15-2003, 08:36 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Briman2021 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Will I need to buy any bolts to replace ones that are prone to breaking. That is what I heard from a local shop that has a pretty good reputation.

Thanks for the help so far!!

P.S. About how long should this take for 2 guys with moderate experience with working on cars (neither of us has ever lowered one though) with regular hand tools.</TD></TR></TABLE>

give yourself 2 hours....can be done in 30 minutes...but that's rushin it
Old 05-15-2003, 08:43 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Emerika)

buy atleast one extra bold for the front and back. this will save you alot of time incase one breaks
Old 05-15-2003, 08:45 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (FifthGearOnline)

5mm allen wrench
Old 05-15-2003, 09:38 PM
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i just installed my KYB GR-2 shocks and Ground Control's in my 92 hatch in 2 hours flat.....i took a beer break though, and i DIDNT use air tools, all by myyyysseeeeellllfff.....good luck dude, shouldnt take more than 2 hours
Old 05-15-2003, 10:18 PM
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Default Re: (SpoonFedHatch)

Beprepared...when i was installing my new suspension setup both of the bolts on the rear LCA snapped off(one on both sides)dunno if its just me , cause they seem to snap on me everytime .... also happened to me when i had my coupe..both are 5th gen civics.... goodluck
Old 05-15-2003, 11:31 PM
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I would say take it to a shop, saves time and money. "cuz once u break that bolt...it's a B$%^ to get it out. actually u can't. otherwise u ruin the threadings.That's my 2cents.
Old 05-15-2003, 11:34 PM
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You need:

5mm allen wrench
12mm socket
14mm deep socket
17mm socket
19mm socket.
14mm open ended wrench
4 cotter pins
2 lower control arm bolts
2 lower control arm bushings
a huge *** breaker bar
and alot of patience.
Old 05-15-2003, 11:47 PM
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Default Re: (ptran13)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ptran13 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You need:

5mm allen wrench
12mm socket
14mm deep socket
17mm socket
19mm socket.
14mm open ended wrench
4 cotter pins
2 lower control arm bolts
2 lower control arm bushings
a huge *** breaker bar
and alot of patience.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You forgot a punching bag for when you brake the lca bolts and a firebomb so that you can fire bomb your car after it REALLY pisses you off.....
Old 05-16-2003, 04:47 PM
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Default Re: (GTlvr82)

have a really good ******* cord drill. damn lca bolts broke off on mine and was a 2-3 hour bitch trying to remove. have 2 new ones to use and soak that **** in wd-40.
Old 05-16-2003, 05:42 PM
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Default Re: (SkyLinER)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SkyLinER &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would say take it to a shop, saves time and money. "cuz once u break that bolt...it's a B$%^ to get it out. actually u can't. otherwise u ruin the threadings.That's my 2cents.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Im sure it would be easier but definitely not save money.
Old 05-16-2003, 08:06 PM
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Default Re: (MLogan)

It took me about 4 hours to do it all...took so long cause two of my bolts were seized, had to get a new LCA since the bolt took the bushing with it. Also forgot the bumpstops in the front like a dumbass and had to go back and assemble them. I have the same setup, you'll like it.
Old 05-16-2003, 08:11 PM
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Default Re: (ptran13)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ptran13 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You need:
4 cotter pins
</TD></TR></TABLE>

For what?
Old 05-16-2003, 08:13 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

some cack an *****...and if its your first time youll need a good full day
Old 05-16-2003, 09:41 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

If the car is a 92-95 coupe or hatch ...be careful the bolts holding the strut on the rear always break.....well 95% of the time they break. And your don't even need a spring compressor i just put an impact on the nut and let her go it only pops off like 2 inches. the whole project should take 45 minutes. Good luck
Old 05-17-2003, 02:16 AM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (TurboB16aEG)

Don't forget a good quality torque wrench and manual (at least a chiltons). One word of caution do not mix torque specs such as in/lbs and ft/lbs. I had to learn the hard way~
Old 05-17-2003, 10:17 AM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (EKFerioHawaii)

I wouldnt risk having another person holding down the top of the assembly. I know that hondas are light or what not, but when I first did mine the spring hit kinda hard. So I would suggest putting the assembly in between two of your wheels, so the rubber absords the hit. Good luck
Old 05-17-2003, 10:31 AM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

First of all, how come all of you are breaking bolts? you know that you have to turn them counter-clockwise to remove them right? i have done suspension work on probably 50 cars and never broke a bolt. if you people are breaking bolts because you're hitting your breaker bar with a hammer immunah break yo' face boy.

Second of all, why would you try to remove your springs without a spring compressor? that's a great way to break a finger, get a concussion, or put a dent in your car. you need to do things in a controlled manner. the spring compressor is free, go get it will you? don't make me worry about you.

peace
Old 05-17-2003, 12:05 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (Briman2021)

some twinkies and ding-dongs
Old 05-17-2003, 12:49 PM
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Default Re: Lowering my car, what supplies do I need (greebler)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by greebler &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">some twinkies and ding-dongs</TD></TR></TABLE>
lol


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