I am running into problems installing a Tokico Illumina suspension kit into my 95 Civic EX coupe. I have a spring compressor but am unable to use it due to two things. My A-arm is getting in the way which does not allow me to put the spring compressor onto the spring, and the spring compressor does not fit on the spring because the coils are too close together. Does anyone know the bext way to install these without a spring compressor? Or know of anywhere I can find some good instructions?

 

1.) you don't use the spring compressor with the suspension on the car.

2.) I guarantee the spring compressors will fit if you push and twist a little bit. Be a man.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sdeman222 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am running into problems installing a Tokico Illumina suspension kit into my 95 Civic EX coupe. I have a spring compressor but am unable to use it due to two things. My A-arm is getting in the way which does not allow me to put the spring compressor onto the spring, and the spring compressor does not fit on the spring because the coils are too close together. Does anyone know the bext way to install these without a spring compressor? Or know of anywhere I can find some good instructions? </TD></TR></TABLE>

yea jump up and down on them and soften them up.... no. you have to use a spring compressor if you want to get them installed.... also you have to have the assembly off the car and in a vice. what style compressor is it? if you cant handle the job take it in and pay to get it done.

 

i remember when i installed the kyb shocks and tenzo springs on my eg hatch. i didnt even need a compressor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crazyguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i remember when i installed the kyb shocks and tenzo springs on my eg hatch. i didnt even need a compressor</TD></TR></TABLE>
short springs or soft springs? thats usually not a good sign....

 

who needs a spring compressor.
either take off the entire spring/strut in one piece, and unloosen the top hat with the spring laying on the ground.

or you could just unloosen them on the car, ive never tried that one though...

 

My issue is not getting the old ones off. It is putting the new ones on. If I do not use a spring compressor I am wondering what the best way is to install the shock and spring. You need to compress the spring to mount the shock in place. I have heard using a Jack may work instead of a compressor. Any ideas?

 

if your replacing the strut u have to take the whole strut/spring assembly out.. it is all held together by eachother..... if you get what i said

 

To use a jack, are you saying leave the assembly on the car and jack it up so the spring compresses and then bolt it together? I don't know how much work might actually be involved with that but it might work.
Otherwise, you to have the whole assembly off the car first, then compress the spring and put it onto the strut assembly.

 

msot of the time with aftermarket or lowering springs u shouldnt neet to compress the springs much and u wouldnt attempt this on the car anyways ur going to need to take the strut and all out and then use the spring compressor if u still have to and bolt the struts and spring together and then put them on the car

 

lol using the compressor with the struts installed
LOL LOL

 

use the spring compressor only when you take out your strut out and you might be using the wrong compressor. If you have power tools then you might not even need a compressor(very dangerous but possible to do if you are careful)

 

Get a buddy and duel at 10 paces with oem springs. I doubt you'll hit each other. Me and my brother never do.

Compressor Comshmessor.

 

Alright, I'll give you the easiest way I can think of to do this.

Front: Jack car up, remove wheel, there should be two bolts in the engine bay to remove, one big bolt holding the fork to the lower control arm, and one more bolt holding/clamping the fork to the bottom of the shock/spring assembly (two more bolts holding the brake lines in place also). After that, manuever the assembly out and you can

A: Use the compressor, yes the coils are too close together BUT you can manipulate it to get in there and clamp.

B: Use the ghetto method, place the bottom end of the shock against the wall and place your tire against the top end of it. Loosen the top nut very slowly until all the way out. be careful as it will literally push the tire out a couple feet once all the tension is released. This method is not recommended, but will do the trick. Easiest if you are using an impact gun.

Install is the reverse, you should be able to install the springs on the shocks without the compressor, just push down or have a buddy push down while you thread the top nut.

Rear: Remove the two top nuts inside the trunk area, remove the bolt that connects the trailing arm to the lower control arm, and then remove the bolt holding the bottom of the shock to the lower control arm. Repeat the procedure from above to remove the spring.

The trick to putting them back on is to install the top bolts so that the assemblies are dangling. Then you line them up on the lower control arm, install the bolt, and you can use a floor jack underneath the control arm to ease the tension and line up the last bolt.

I'll clarify in few minutes, going on a starbucks run

EDIT: I'm back

So for the fronts, reassemble everything and install the two top bolts to the chassis so that the spring/shock assembly is hanging in the wheel well. Then, install the fork to the shock. The lower part of the fork that connects to the lower control arm should be way lower. This is where you'd use the floor jack. Use it to push the assembly upward. What will happen is that the spring will compress and you'll be able to line up the lower part of the fork to the control arm. Insert bolt, release jack, tighten everything back up.

For the rear, same process basically. Install the top portion of the assembly so that they are hanging. Then install the bolt that holds the lower portion of the shock to the control arm. Lastly, use the jack underneath the control arm to line it up to the trailing arm. Insert bolt, release tension, tighten everything up.

Hope that answers any/all questions you might have. Give it a shot, see how it goes.


Modified by 24TEN at 3:28 PM 8/28/2007


Modified by 24TEN at 3:36 PM 8/28/2007


Modified by 24TEN at 3:37 PM 8/28/2007

 

Thanks 24TEN, that was exactly what I was looking for.

 

Glad I could help, were you able to get everything back together ok?

 

I was. the front was a b*tch, alot of redoing work. The back went in in about 20 mins. Thanks!