I just bought these springs from fast95se:





For by girlfriend's (bubblepants) 89 Si:



My question being, what do I need to try this install myself? I've never messed with suspension before, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Special tools, dos/don'ts, things to check first would be great.

Before someone says "search noob" and all that BS, I did search general phrases like "CRX spring install" and "EF Spring Install" and didn't really find anything helpful. If someone searches and disagrees, post the link because I must have missed it.

Thanks in advance!

 

First of all you should probably look into getting some performance gas shocks to go with those springs if u have stock shocks and since it's the same job anyway. You won't need any special tools except for maybe a spring compressor and vice grips help also. Box wrenches and breaker bar with deep sockets will make the job easier too.

 

There are no special tips or tricks. Its something you just do. Another person will make things alot easier

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1106020

front
http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/C...7.pdf

rear
http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/C...3.pdf

youll need a spring compressor to take off the front spring safely. you probably wont need it for the front, since you wont have to compress the new spring much or any if at all. the rears actually you can take off while putting your body weight on it, its not as preloaded as the fronts.

 

PB blaster for frozen bolts... make sure you knwo how to use the spring compressor before you loosen the middle strut bolt

 

you might want to buy some LCA/shock bolts before you start. those rear bolts are known to break off completely. broke off on me and my brothers.

 

you dont need a spring compressor, just remove the nut on top when the shocks are in the car and when you jack it up it will release tension, when you put them back in the springs are shorter so you should be able to get the nut on without compressing

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rexified &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you might want to buy some LCA/shock bolts before you start. those rear bolts are known to break off completely. broke off on me and my brothers.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Happen to me once, but it was on a 2000 si. I could not beleive it, the car is pretty new. The bolt seized in with the bushing, bushing needed to be cut out and a new one had to be installed.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crx Jimmy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you dont need a spring compressor, just remove the nut on top when the shocks are in the car and when you jack it up it will release tension, when you put them back in the springs are shorter so you should be able to get the nut on without compressing</TD></TR></TABLE>

For the front you might, plus you want to compress the springs, so the nut on top is not doing it for you. Rent a spring compressor, its free and you will be better in the long run.

Do it right the first time, so then there will not be a second time.

 

that wont work with stock springs. theyre so preloaded that the free length gets so long it you wont be able to take the shock out of the fork because it will be pressed against the axle.

remove the shock assembly and use a spring compressor for the front stock springs.

trust me, i did it for the umteenth time just this weekend. as much as i prefer riding on stock springs, its a bitch to work with compared to any aftermarket springs or GC.

 

So basically I should go ahead and get the spring compressor and start un-bolting stuff, huh? I didn't figure it would be to big a deal, but thought I'd check just the same.

 

I was able to use the weight of the car and a jack as my spring compressor. I don't recommend you do this because it is a bit dangerous.

The autozone spring compressor you can get through there loan-a-tool program is too large to fit between the coils when they are compressed. But if you can find a compressor that works that would be the best route.

The only other advice I have is DO NOT use an impact gun to put the pinch bolt back in the front shock fork. There is an indention in the shock body to allow the bolt to clear. If it isn't seated properly you will cut your own notch.

Don't ask me how I know

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jasond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I
The autozone spring compressor you can get through there loan-a-tool program is too large to fit between the coils when they are compressed. But if you can find a compressor that works that would be the best route.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe you got the wrong one, autozone does lend one out and it does work. You just have to know how to use it. Just gotta find the gap

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jasond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The only other advice I have is DO NOT use an impact gun to put the pinch bolt back in the front shock fork. There is an indention in the shock body to allow the bolt to clear. If it isn't seated properly you will cut your own notch.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Learn from your mistakes, you can use an impact as long as you thread the bolt first a little.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. Someone needs to do a DIY on a CRX.