I finally got a chance to put on the omnipower usa street coilovers on my 2001 Accord. I had a hell of a time putting them on due to stubborn bolts/nuts and hard to remove stock struts. It took about 5 hours because I didn't know what I was doing and I was afraid to break something. After a few hours I didn't care anymore and started smacking things with a hammer and 150psi impact wrench.

Installation tips:
Front strut removal: each strut has 5 top mounting nuts, 1 lower nut with 2 bolts
I had a rough time since when you remove the lower bolts and nut on the suspension fork the spring decompresses and pushes the fork down against the axle. I had to push down the whole axle while trying to get the strut out of the fork (pain in the *** x 2).

Front strut installation (omnipower usa street coilvers): I am not sure I received the right strut because at the highest setting my ride height is 2 inches lower than stock ride height. I wanted only a 1 inch drop but no matter how I set the struts I can not go any higher. Installation is pretty much straight forward but you might want a second jack to jack up the axle to match the holes since the new struts are shorter than the stock struts.

Rear strut removal: Each rear strut has 2 top nuts, 1 lower nut and 1 lower bolt. You would think that since the rear has less bolts it would be easier to remove right? Wrong and sorta right... You need to remove the 2 bolster seats (thats the cushion in the back seat on the sides and is secured by 1 screw) and then remove the bulkhead cover (long plastic cover you see when you pull the rear seats back - just pull it straight off since it is secured with tabs). You don't need to remove the rear seats or rear dash but it would make it easier.

Here is an important tip for removing the rear strut: DON'T BE GENTLE WITH IT! Just remove the 2 top nuts, and then remove the BOLT that is securing the lower strut. Do NOT remove the nut, it is a special type of nut that mates 2 parts together. I couldn't get the nut back in after I removed it.. I actually damaged it with the impact wrench but live and learn.

Next remove the stabilizer nut and move it out of the way, if you don't know which nut that is just look for the parts that are going to be in your way when you try and take out the strut. You will save yourself alot of frustration since I tried to get the strut out of there without taking out the stabilizer nut and it was IMPOSSIBLE to do so.

After you remove the lower bolt that holds the rear strut, grab a rubber mallet or hammer and start whacking away until it falls down. No need to be gentle here, just smack the strut till it falls out of its place and then you can remove it very easily.

Rear installation: Very easy and straightforward after you've done the other ones. Again grab a jack and jack up the axle so that you can line up the connection holes to reinstall the bolt. Oh, and for all this it helps if you have a cheater bar or impact wrench since these bolts and nuts have probably been there a while and exposed to the elements.

Pros / Cons of the new coilovers: If I received the correct coilovers then I would have to say that the ride for the STREET version is very harsh and bouncy compared to stock. You will feel the slightest bumps in the road and any major problems in the road feel like you're slamming your rims into the ground along with your body. Im glad I picked the street version and find myself scared to find out what the SPORT version is like. I found myself missing my smooth ride but found that a few things have been improved.

Handling response and cornering has increased alot. Body roll is nearly eliminated and acceleration from a dead stop has improved noticeably. I think this makes sense since more power is put to the wheels instead of going into compressing the springs. I took a drive for about 2 hours and found that the car is alot of fun on the corners but my long straight road commute I found myself wanting my stock pillow ride. As an example: On the way from Stockton to Chico I had 2 sodas with me. I almost spilled the first soda on myself from each sip that I took since I bounced around so much (never had this problem before). And when I finally opened the second soda it burst out a little, sorta like someone shaking your soda slightly and giving it to you.

Questions: Anyone know how I can get a softer ride from this setup? Would removing the preload give a harsher ride or softer ride? Also, anyone else have a problem with raising their setup to stock height? Also, I looked at the springs after I took a drive and they are compressed pretty far, I would say about 1/3 - 1/2 inch or less between each spring coil... is this normal?

Summary: I hope this info was useful to some, overall a nice buy for the price but ride quality is pretty harsh in my opinion. If it was a little softer and did not bounce so much it would be great. Handling, cornering and acceleration is improved as a tradeoff.


Modified by ChicoAccord2001 at 11:50 PM 11/7/2004


Modified by ChicoAccord2001 at 11:55 PM 11/7/2004

 

One thing that helps with the front struts so you dont have to jerk down the lower arm, is to mark and unbolt the upper control arms and the tie rod. That way you can swing the hub out and remove it with ease.

As the upper control arm is in the way of a smooth removal of the strut.