Problem w/ Tokico Illumina install-Help.
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Problem w/ Tokico Illumina install-Help.
I went to put in my Illuminas and H&R springs this afternoon. But the car unfortunately is still up on jacks. 
It seems like the piston rod shaft is too short to fit in the stock CRX Si top hats.
The shaft doesn't even reach past the the top rubber bushing, and that's reusing the old 212K stock bushings. If I try the new ones which came with the Illuminas, which are twice as thick as the OEM's, the top of the shaft is even farther from the top of the bushing.
Now what? Anybody here ever have or heard of this problem. The part number on the shocks is correct. The instructions even mention EF Civics and CRX's. What gives?
It seems like the piston rod shaft is too short to fit in the stock CRX Si top hats.
The shaft doesn't even reach past the the top rubber bushing, and that's reusing the old 212K stock bushings. If I try the new ones which came with the Illuminas, which are twice as thick as the OEM's, the top of the shaft is even farther from the top of the bushing.
Now what? Anybody here ever have or heard of this problem. The part number on the shocks is correct. The instructions even mention EF Civics and CRX's. What gives?
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: Problem w/ Tokico Illumina install-Help. (Mog)
Stock 90 CRX Si.
When I place the illumina alongside the OEM shock I took out, the bodies of each seem identical. height, width, weight, EXCEPT the shaft of the OEM shock is about 4 inches longer.
I know the rears on the 88's are different, but the fronts are supposed to be the same.
I just googled the Tokico part number, again and it keeps coming up 88-91 Civics-all, including CRX Si.
BU2797/BU2798??
Modified by 4crx4me at 9:39 PM 7/19/2008
When I place the illumina alongside the OEM shock I took out, the bodies of each seem identical. height, width, weight, EXCEPT the shaft of the OEM shock is about 4 inches longer.
I know the rears on the 88's are different, but the fronts are supposed to be the same.
I just googled the Tokico part number, again and it keeps coming up 88-91 Civics-all, including CRX Si.
BU2797/BU2798??
Modified by 4crx4me at 9:39 PM 7/19/2008
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: Problem w/ Tokico Illumina install-Help. (alscrx)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alscrx »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Please post pics of your install.. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't know how to post pix here. I need to put them with a host first right?
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alscrx »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Make sure your top hat bushings are not upside down which would make the shaft too short
</TD></TR></TABLE>
How can you tell if they're upside down?
I though I put them in the way they came out?
I don't know how to post pix here. I need to put them with a host first right?
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alscrx »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Make sure your top hat bushings are not upside down which would make the shaft too short
</TD></TR></TABLE>How can you tell if they're upside down?
I though I put them in the way they came out?
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perhaps you have the wrong struts
if it was me, i would just stand on the spring or try to compress it as much as i can with my legs/arms and see if u can start the threads on the nut
then hit the nut with an impact gun and ur done
u may need a coil spring compressor, which you can rent for free (just need a CC number) at the local vatozone, lordco, napa, etc
if it was me, i would just stand on the spring or try to compress it as much as i can with my legs/arms and see if u can start the threads on the nut
then hit the nut with an impact gun and ur done
u may need a coil spring compressor, which you can rent for free (just need a CC number) at the local vatozone, lordco, napa, etc
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (welfarepc)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by welfarepc »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">perhaps you have the wrong struts</TD></TR></TABLE>
How can they be wrong? The part #, says 89-91 Civic-CRX-ALL incl, Si.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by welfarepc »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if it was me, i would just stand on the spring or try to compress it as much as i can with my legs/arms and see if u can start the threads on the nut
then hit the nut with an impact gun and ur done
u may need a coil spring compressor, which you can rent for free (just need a CC number) at the local vatozone, lordco, napa, etc</TD></TR></TABLE>
The instruction say specifically DO NOT use an impact gun, it will void the lifetime warranty. I'm using a spring compressor. It cost me 12.00 at my local rent-all. If a spring compressor ain't doin' it, I don't think standing on it will help. But thanks for the suggestions.
How can they be wrong? The part #, says 89-91 Civic-CRX-ALL incl, Si.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by welfarepc »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if it was me, i would just stand on the spring or try to compress it as much as i can with my legs/arms and see if u can start the threads on the nut
then hit the nut with an impact gun and ur done
u may need a coil spring compressor, which you can rent for free (just need a CC number) at the local vatozone, lordco, napa, etc</TD></TR></TABLE>
The instruction say specifically DO NOT use an impact gun, it will void the lifetime warranty. I'm using a spring compressor. It cost me 12.00 at my local rent-all. If a spring compressor ain't doin' it, I don't think standing on it will help. But thanks for the suggestions.
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (4crx4me)
Funny part is even with 212K miles on this puppy, the shocks are still good, if you can believe it? It's just that the front springs rusted away and broke off a few coils.
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Re: (4crx4me)
H&R race or sport springs? either way. compress the spring and you should be able to put the top hat on. if your compressing it so far it wont go any more. you have the wrong springs. but im sure you just need to compress those springs more .....
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (ef yu)
HR OE sport springs, illuminas on a stock 1990 CRX Si.
Ok I'll try a better spring compressor. Thanks.
Use the new Tokiico top hat bushings or the old OEM ones, though?
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ef yu »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">H&R race or sport springs? either way. compress the spring and you should be able to put the top hat on. if your compressing it so far it wont go any more. you have the wrong springs. but im sure you just need to compress those springs more .....</TD></TR></TABLE>
Ok I'll try a better spring compressor. Thanks.
Use the new Tokiico top hat bushings or the old OEM ones, though?
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ef yu »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">H&R race or sport springs? either way. compress the spring and you should be able to put the top hat on. if your compressing it so far it wont go any more. you have the wrong springs. but im sure you just need to compress those springs more .....</TD></TR></TABLE>
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (4crx4me)
Does anyone know where I can get a spring compressor that fits CRX springs?
The local rent-all's spring compressor has too much flex in the claws and can't compress the spring enough. And the one from Autozone has claws that are too big to fit between the coils.
What else can go wrong with this supposedly easy install?? Stay tuned it gets better.
Out of frustration I took the shock/spring to Pep Boys to be mounted and the mother efffing idiot who put it back together put the top hat on all wrong, with the rubber inside all twisted on top of itself, and the top washer upside down with the top shock bushing bulging out on one side!!!!!
The local rent-all's spring compressor has too much flex in the claws and can't compress the spring enough. And the one from Autozone has claws that are too big to fit between the coils.
What else can go wrong with this supposedly easy install?? Stay tuned it gets better.
Out of frustration I took the shock/spring to Pep Boys to be mounted and the mother efffing idiot who put it back together put the top hat on all wrong, with the rubber inside all twisted on top of itself, and the top washer upside down with the top shock bushing bulging out on one side!!!!!
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Re: (4crx4me)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 4crx4me »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does anyone know where I can get a spring compressor that fits CRX springs?
The local rent-all's spring compressor has too much flex in the claws and can't compress the spring enough. And the one from Autozone has claws that are too big to fit between the coils.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I had the same situation so i called my friend over to help me out. I put the tokico strut with the spring and top hat on and installed it into the car. I placed my jack and a piece of wood under the strut and gave it a few pumps until my friend saw the threads on the rod from under the hood and got the nut on. It was quick and easy but PLEASE be very careful the strut does NOT slip off the wood or your in trouble.
The local rent-all's spring compressor has too much flex in the claws and can't compress the spring enough. And the one from Autozone has claws that are too big to fit between the coils.
</TD></TR></TABLE>I had the same situation so i called my friend over to help me out. I put the tokico strut with the spring and top hat on and installed it into the car. I placed my jack and a piece of wood under the strut and gave it a few pumps until my friend saw the threads on the rod from under the hood and got the nut on. It was quick and easy but PLEASE be very careful the strut does NOT slip off the wood or your in trouble.
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (alscrx)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alscrx »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I had the same situation so i called my friend over to help me out. I put the tokico strut with the spring and top hat on and installed it into the car. I placed my jack and a piece of wood under the strut and gave it a few pumps until my friend saw the threads on the rod from under the hood and got the nut on. It was quick and easy but PLEASE be very careful the strut does NOT slip off the wood or your in trouble. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks for the tip.
I wished I'd read it before I went to Pep Boys and had those jerk offs [freak] up my bushings, and top hat. But I don't have a floor jack to do it that way. And now my shocks are mounted but they are wrong so I need a spring compressor to get the top hats loose.
I had the same situation so i called my friend over to help me out. I put the tokico strut with the spring and top hat on and installed it into the car. I placed my jack and a piece of wood under the strut and gave it a few pumps until my friend saw the threads on the rod from under the hood and got the nut on. It was quick and easy but PLEASE be very careful the strut does NOT slip off the wood or your in trouble.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Thanks for the tip.
I wished I'd read it before I went to Pep Boys and had those jerk offs [freak] up my bushings, and top hat. But I don't have a floor jack to do it that way. And now my shocks are mounted but they are wrong so I need a spring compressor to get the top hats loose.
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Re: (4crx4me)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 4crx4me »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Thanks for the tip.
I wished I'd read it before I went to Pep Boys and had those jerk offs [freak] up my bushings, and top hat. But I don't have a floor jack to do it that way. And now my shocks are mounted but they are wrong so I need a spring compressor to get the top hats loose.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
You can use my method to undo the springs also. How do you work on your car with no floor jack? They are cheap man, You will always use it once you buy one
Thanks for the tip.
I wished I'd read it before I went to Pep Boys and had those jerk offs [freak] up my bushings, and top hat. But I don't have a floor jack to do it that way. And now my shocks are mounted but they are wrong so I need a spring compressor to get the top hats loose.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
You can use my method to undo the springs also. How do you work on your car with no floor jack? They are cheap man, You will always use it once you buy one
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (4crx4me)
To hell with it. My Honda dealer is only about 2 miles away. I'll just bring them there to have the top hats remounted, first thing Mon. AM. I should've done that in the first place.
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (alscrx)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alscrx »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You can use my method to undo the springs also. How do you work on your car with no floor jack? They are cheap man, You will always use it once you buy one
</TD></TR></TABLE>
ROFL
How? 4 Honda scissors jacks, that's how.
You can use my method to undo the springs also. How do you work on your car with no floor jack? They are cheap man, You will always use it once you buy one
</TD></TR></TABLE>
ROFL
How? 4 Honda scissors jacks, that's how.
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Re: (4crx4me)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 4crx4me »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
How? 4 Honda scissors jacks, that's how. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Wow, I would never trust working under a car with Honda scissor jacks
Just keep an eye out for a good floor jack if you happen to find one on sale in the future. It might be worth picking one up along with some jack stands if you intend to work on your car, my friend.
All the best.
How? 4 Honda scissors jacks, that's how.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Wow, I would never trust working under a car with Honda scissor jacks
Just keep an eye out for a good floor jack if you happen to find one on sale in the future. It might be worth picking one up along with some jack stands if you intend to work on your car, my friend.
All the best.
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (BoombasticSloth)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BoombasticSloth »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Wow, I would never trust working under a car with Honda scissor jacks
Just keep an eye out for a good floor jack if you happen to find one on sale in the future. It might be worth picking one up along with some jack stands if you intend to work on your car, my friend.
All the best.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks for tip.
I may be crazy but I ain't stupid. LOL
I would never work under a car supported only with a Honda scissor jack. If I'm going to be under it, I borrow a floor jack and some jack stands from a friend. And I would never, ever put a car up a more than 2 scissor jacks at once. It's just too unstable, with two.
Really my only problem with not buying a really nice floor jack and stands is, I live in a small apartment, without ANY storage or closet space. So there's just no room to keep them around. And I couldn't leave them outside to get rained on or stolen.
Wow, I would never trust working under a car with Honda scissor jacks
Just keep an eye out for a good floor jack if you happen to find one on sale in the future. It might be worth picking one up along with some jack stands if you intend to work on your car, my friend.
All the best.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks for tip.
I may be crazy but I ain't stupid.
LOL I would never work under a car supported only with a Honda scissor jack. If I'm going to be under it, I borrow a floor jack and some jack stands from a friend. And I would never, ever put a car up a more than 2 scissor jacks at once. It's just too unstable, with two.
Really my only problem with not buying a really nice floor jack and stands is, I live in a small apartment, without ANY storage or closet space. So there's just no room to keep them around. And I couldn't leave them outside to get rained on or stolen.
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From: I am Tyson
Re: (alscrx)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alscrx »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I had the same situation so i called my friend over to help me out. I put the tokico strut with the spring and top hat on and installed it into the car. I placed my jack and a piece of wood under the strut and gave it a few pumps until my friend saw the threads on the rod from under the hood and got the nut on. It was quick and easy </TD></TR></TABLE>
this would be the easiest way to install AFTERMARKET springs. no compressor needed.
doesnt work with stock front springs for anyone else reading this.
I had the same situation so i called my friend over to help me out. I put the tokico strut with the spring and top hat on and installed it into the car. I placed my jack and a piece of wood under the strut and gave it a few pumps until my friend saw the threads on the rod from under the hood and got the nut on. It was quick and easy </TD></TR></TABLE>
this would be the easiest way to install AFTERMARKET springs. no compressor needed.
doesnt work with stock front springs for anyone else reading this.
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (Tyson)
SUCCESS!!!
Honda told they had no time to do them today, they said leave them and pick them tomorrow.
So I brought the shocks and springs to a friends shop, they were done in 10 minutes!
I've only have the fronts in, and it's only been a couple of hours, but I can say I am very impressed. The H&R OE's and the Illuminas are very nice combo.
Honda told they had no time to do them today, they said leave them and pick them tomorrow.
So I brought the shocks and springs to a friends shop, they were done in 10 minutes!
I've only have the fronts in, and it's only been a couple of hours, but I can say I am very impressed. The H&R OE's and the Illuminas are very nice combo.
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From: Greetings From Asbury Park,, NJ
Re: (BoombasticSloth)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BoombasticSloth »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Glad it all worked out in the end.
Enjoy your "like new" ride </TD></TR></TABLE>
Nawh, now comes the hard part....I still gotta do the rears.... 
Enjoy your "like new" ride
</TD></TR></TABLE>Nawh, now comes the hard part....I still gotta do the rears....
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