Hey, I have a 99 GSR that I will installing Koni yellows and Eibach Pro-kits on probably this weekend or next. I have read the other post regarding the problems with some of the rusted bolts while installing the shocks. Do you think that a 99 will be rusted enough to have these same problems, and if so what are the bolts(part #'s?) that I could bring with me prior incase I do have a problem? I also am wondering if I need to use all the included nuts/bolts/washers supplied with my Koni yellows when doing the install, anyone know exactly which to use and which not to, and in what order? Any good websites detailing this install with Koni yellows? Any other advice to prepare me for this? Thanks, any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

Did you get the sheet of illustrations w/ your shocks? The problems with the rear LCA bolts seems to be intermittent. I had no problems on my 94, thankfully, by using a 12V electric impact wrench to remove the bolts. As for the shocks, here is the order that you install everything. Be sure to bore out the hole in the dust boot from 10mm to about 12mm. Also be sure you transfer the front brake line bracket over to the Koni front shocks. You have the shock, then the bumpstop, then the smaller of the 2 washers, then the dust cover, then the larger washer, then the spring, then the upper spring seat (be sure to replace the metal insert in the bushings on the spring seat w/ the new insert provided by Koni), then the dished washer, and then the 2 jam nuts (19mm socket). Be sure not to use a shallow socket when tightening those jam nuts, as you can damage the adjustor tab on top. Here's another tip, when putting the front suspension back together, make sure the tab on the brake line bracket lines up with the indent on the shock body. Then when you install the lower fork onto the shock, line it up with the tab, install the lower bolt through the front LCA, and then raise the LCA w/ the jack to put a load on the shock. Make sure the fork is seated all the way onto the brake line bracket, and then install the pinch bolt through the top of the lower fork.

 

very good description, we did this on my brothers car, (deviant94ex) and that is pretty much word for word what i would have said.
-Scary

 

I did get the illustrations with the shocks, but they suck, they are confusing and not in english either, I dont know if they changed their illustrations, but these do not look very good, but thanks for your info it sounds like it will help a lot.

 

see if you can grab a helms service manual, they help a lot with working on things like this.
-Scary

 

I've changed the suspension on 2 old Hondas (87 Accord, 88 CRX) and never ran into any problems. Perhaps I was lucky. I always soak the bolts with liquid wrench and give them some time to penetrate beforehand.

 

how long did you soak them for?
-Scary

 

I soaked my rear LCA bolts before starting the work, then worked on the front suspension first. That should be plenty of time by the time you get to the rear suspension.

 

How exactly do you soak them considering that the car would be lifted up off the ground on jackstands? Did you take off the LCA's first or what? And is liquid wrench the best to use, where is the best place to buy it, at a local autoparts store? I only ask 'cause I am about to do this myself, thanks.

 

Don't know about the bolts since your car is relatively new. But here's some instructions with pics on how to do it yourself.
http://www.bseries.net/html/garage/spring.php

I didn't run into any major problems when installing mine.

 

hahah yeah Koni's instruction sheet was pretty small/non descriptive and most was not in english.. you just kinda follow the picture... it will be pretty obvious what parts to re-use and what parts not to as a lot of the stock parts will not fit into the Koni shock rod since its larger... its pretty much what Patrick said though... and yes you use the supplied washers, nuts, etc.. from the hardware package... as far as I recall (I installed mine over 3 yrs ago)..

the only things you re-use are the bumpstop, dustboot (enlarge hole), rubber bushings from shock cap, shock cap... all the other stuff you replace w/ the Koni supplied hardware (ID sleeve/spindles, top/bottom washers, 2 gold jam nuts, etc... make sure you tighten them down so they make a tight lock so they wont come undone.. use a open end combination wrench or a deep socket...

as for the bolts.. I've done a lot of spring/shock installs and never ran into problems w/ breaking bolts.. either I got lucky.. or maybe because I usually spray the bolts liberally and let it sit/soak for a while w/ some penetrating lubricant...

you should be able to get by on the disassembly/assembly w/ these instructions http://www.bseries.net/html/garage/spring.php
and follow the Koni supplied illustration/diagram .. thats how I did mine and a few other cars.. good luck..

 

I mean I just sprayed alot of the PB Blaster stuff onto and around the bolts. Worked great for me.