I thought I saw a writeup somewhere on changing out struts/springs on a 5th gen Prelude. Will I need a strut compression tool for this?

 

there is a write-up somewhere...search, and yes you will need a "spring" compressor. Your Prelude doesn't have struts....

 

yea its pretty simple just time consuming depending on how stubborn your bolts are.

Front
1. jack car up and open hood and trunk lid.
2. take wheels off.
3. loosen the tie rod end nut after removing the cotter pin. and slide it out of the way after removing it from the hub assembly might need some persuading just dont mess up the treads.
4. take off the bolt on the back side of the strut. it clamps the piece that goes down to the lower control arm.
5. take out the bolt that goes through the lower control arm and strut holder.
6. pull the strut holder down to remove it from the strut and slide it over the axle to get it out. and set aside.
7. loosen the 3 bolts up top on the strut tower so the strut will drop down. and then pull it out and set on the ground.
8. use the sring compressor and compress the spring enough to move the strut by itself. then remove the bolt on top of the strut to loosen remove the cap.
9. assemble strut and spring in reverse order.
10. goes back together easily just use new cotter pins not the old ones.
Back
1. take wheels off and remove the brake hose and wires from the lower control arm but do not disconect it from the caliper cuz then youll have to bleed the brakes.
2. remove bolt on strut that goes through lower control arm.
3. either remove the bolt at the bak of the control arm in middle of car or at ball joint under brake assembly. I did mine at the back seemed easier for me.
4. move control arm down to get it seperated from strut.
5. go to trunk and remove 2 bolts holding strut in place to drop it down from strut tower.
6. remove spring same as front.
7. go back together in reverse order.
8. get to the alingment shop and get it aligned and youll be set.

 

http://www.ntpog.org/mods/fift...shtml