is it easy to put some Coilover on a 97 Honda civic 4dr or should i take it some where to get put on??? how much u think it cost just to put them on??? are there any where in miami fl that can do it for cheap?

 

u need a spring compessor to put the new ones on and take the old ones off but i got mine installed for 70 bucks

 

You dont need a spring compressor(even though I highly suggest buying one) you can uncouple the springs from the strut by shooting them into a cardboard box.....

 

best way is to have the back of the shock against a tire, and having someone stand on the spring and tire, while someone undoes the hat.

 

its pretty easy if you do it yourself. i didnt mine for the first time all by myself and it came out well. it took me a while to do but if you have air tools its alot more easier

 

Yeah air tools!!! I get my impact, compressor and airsocket this week. Air tools make your day a lot les frusturating.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eran &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">best way is to have the back of the shock against a tire, and having someone stand on the spring and tire, while someone undoes the hat.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry, but that is NOT the best way. Actually, that is probably the WORSE way to take a spring off a shock (besides aiming it at someone's face).

To OP, you want to rent a spring compressor to hold the springs while you undo the top hat. From there you put the coil over assembly back on the shock and tighten it down and put it back on the car.

If you've never done it before atleast have a friend who knows what they are doing. If you are taking it to the shop expect to pay $80-130

 

Really? Because we used to do it ALL the time. Neither the shock or spring would move. AT ALL. I imagine you're pretty experienced when it comes to garage work, but don't knock it till you try it. Bothers me when people with all the tools and resources in the world tell back yard mechanics they're wrong.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eran &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Really? Because we used to do it ALL the time. Neither the shock or spring would move. AT ALL. I imagine you're pretty experience when it comes to garage work, but don't knock it till you try it.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I ve done it that way before but as with all aspects of mechanics, COMMON SENSE is the key. Itll work safely if you use your brain and do it in a controlled safe enviroment.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CantThinkOfAScreenName &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I ve done it that way before but as with all aspects of mechanics, COMMON SENSE is the key. Itll work safely if you use your brain and do it in a controlled safe enviroment. </TD></TR></TABLE>



Stupid mechanics are dangerous mechanics. I know people with full service garages that do it more dangerously than that.

Air tools =/= Good Mechanic

 

Did mine in about 2 hours, very easy with a spring compressor.

 

like somebody said, get your air powered impact wrench out. essentially use the wheel and tire as body armor. it works... it doesnt fly too far. farthest one went about 8 feet.

just dont think you can unscrew the thing with your buddy in sandals trying to keep the spring from flying.... let it fly! (fly= fidget about 3-4 ft away on the ground)

 

depends on what type of car skills you have this spring compressor thing is only 7 dollars if u want to play it safe..
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...=3980

also if you only have hand tools this procress will take a while. but if your bored out of your mind go for it.

 

lol you guys that didnt say spring compressor are retards THIS is how you do it the ghetto way and THIS method works.

sit the car on it's wheels. instead of remeving the two nuts that hold the top hat to the body, undo the nut that keeps the top hat on the shock...then lift the car slowly, the spring will decompress and then you unbolt the bottom of the shock and voila, your spring is free.

the re-installation process is a two man job thogh, put the new springs on the shock, bolt the bottom of the shock on, then one guy makes sure the spring and shock is aligned with the top hat while the other brings the car down VERRY VERRY slowly.

 

Do it the right way. I saw my life flash before my eyes when my friend dropped his spring out of his 1991 5.0 mustang. It almost took off my _____

 

didn't anyone thing about that good'ol LCA bolt that likes to rust into the hole....may just break the head-off....

 

Good idea.

I like seeing how far I can launch the spring though

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EvilPinkEye &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">didn't anyone thing about that good'ol LCA bolt that likes to rust into the hole....may just break the head-off....</TD></TR></TABLE>]

what are the odds that in florida it rusts in? mine rusted in...but i'm canadian

 

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

what are the odds that in florida it rusts in? mine rusted in...but i'm canadian</TD></TR></TABLE>

.....very good point

 

Do it the getto way if you want but dont rule out a trip to the hospital if something goes wrong. If you use a spring compressor its easier faster and safer.

if you dont do it the right way.

 

do it ur self pussie

 

I should probably add that spring compressors can be just as dangerous. They have a tendancy to slip sideways, allowing the spring to decompress when you don't expect it. The big-a macpherson style spgins are safer used with compressors, but the tight coils on the Civic make it much harder to use properly. At least by shooting the spring across the room you know what's about to happen

 

if you need to do it the ghetto way, at least have a backup car...nothing like catching a bus to the hospital for a "spring"-ectimy

 

i decompress the springs while there still in the car. i think its the safiest.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jolt-tsp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I should probably add that spring compressors can be just as dangerous. They have a tendancy to slip sideways, allowing the spring to decompress when you don't expect it. The big-a macpherson style spgins are safer used with compressors, but the tight coils on the Civic make it much harder to use properly. At least by shooting the spring across the room you know what's about to happen </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah this is true.
I dunno I just put my foot on the spring and make sure there are no people or breakable things on either side and carefully use my air gun to buzz the nut off but only holding it so if it goes flying ur hand wont get hit. This works with civic springs but I wont do it on anything bigger than civic suspension compenents. Just be careful and think before you do things and everything will be fine.