So now its time that i think that the struts on my 03 civic coupe should be replaced, before i do any damage to the other suspension parts.
I am thinking of getting all 4 strut assemblies from Honda, OEM ofcourse, but then i also want to know if the after market sturts like, koni, belstein, tokico .. etc will be any better than the genuine honda strut assemblies?

What do you guys suggest?

 

Well how much are you willing to spend? What do you use the car for?

 

As much as it takes to have a very good suspension, i guess $1000 is the limit with springs, as i was getting the Full assembly from honda, which was like $220 each.
I use the car for regular day to day driving but i deff. want something much better than stock if its worth it.
Thanx

 

Go with Koni/GC setup or some Tein Flex. Those are both great setups.

 

Koni yellows? and where can i find the GCs?
Can you link me to the correct stuff please. Ill appreciate your help very much sir.
Also i don't see a bar going from one strut to another under my hood, so i am thinking it doesn't have a sway bar.
I would like to get one, if its worth it. Also if you could help me out with this too.
Thanx

 

What makes you think that you need to replace all four dampers on a 2003 Civic?

 

When i go over little potholes, there is a noise weird noise that comes from the front, makes me feel that the struts are loose, and they have lost the hydraulic power. They are running on springs
Although the car doesn't feel like a boat yet when i go over a big hump.
I dont know what this clunking noise is.
I am very confused. The car is in great shape, i detail it and keep it shiny but i feel very uncomfortable when i hear that noise.
I want that new car feel, the new suspension feel when you go over pot holes and the car smoothly gets over it with no noise.
I don't know if i have explained it better.

 

If the struts aren't leaking and the car doesn't continue to oscillate excessively after hitting a bump, chances are the dampers are fine. I don't often see a bad strut on an '03 or newer Civic; the '03 struts were vastly improved over the abominations equipped on the front of '01-02 Civics.

The most common cause of bad clunking noises from the front suspension over bumps in '01-05 Civics is from the large front lower control arm bushings. They tend to break easily.

 

I hit a deep pothole 2 years back, on the right stock strut and since then the clunking noise was really very bad. I replaced the stock strut with a MONROE sensa-trac strut.
And now i think that its giving up.
I will let the mechanic check the lower control arm bushings as soon as i get a chance.
And yes the car is not oscillating after a big hump.
After how long the struts are meant to be replaced?

 

I'd be very surprised if the Honda springs weren't in perfect condition, they're very high quality springs. I'd keep the springs and fit Koni yellows, which will most probably be significantly cheaper than OE dampers from Honda, and better.

Sensatracs are the worst dampers I've ever driven on, they're extra soft at / near the stock ride height ("for extra comfort", according to Monroe propaganda), and stiffen up above and blow ride height ("for enhanced handling"). Problem is that it's at the static ride height that you need dampers to be reasonably stiff to give steering and handling response and to control initial body roll.

They achieve this 'variable' stiffness by crudely cutting a series of grooves in the damper wall positioned so that the piston seal is riding over the grooves at / near stock ride height, so the fluid bleeds (read 'leaks') past the seals until the piston has moved by X amount up or down in the damper body. In this way the dampers feel and behave as if they are 'pre-worn out' when new.

 

1) the bar underthe hood is not a sway bar, and they don't come stock on any civics in that generation
2) the noise you are hearing is possible sway bar links or sway bar bushings. unless you have a civic vp or dx, you have a sway bar. the ball and socket joint inside the sway bar end link gets loose... everytime you go over a bump, they clunk. bad struts will rarely cause a noise if they are not leaking.

 

has anyone used the Honda Factory Performance "sport suspension struts" before? just curious as to how they ride

 

Lowering the car improves cornering ability i know.
But what do i lose?
Do the tires go bad soon?
Can somebody help?

 

I would never even consider buying new oem struts as much as they cost. There are better aftermarket alternatives that cost less. Koni being number 1 on my list. I personally have two cars with Koni shocks and I have to say the ride on both is great. If you decide to get lowering springs with your new struts I would recommend H&R. My 93 Integra has Konis with H&R springs and I feel that it rides BETTER than a new car. Also remember to have the car aligned after the struts are changed.

 

You're confused. Read the FAQ on suspension. What do you want out of the car? IF you want it to handle better, ride quality is sacrificed. Dont pay $220 each for OEM shocks thats retarded. Koni Yellow shocks are a great replacement shock that can be kept on the car if you decide to lower it.

Lowering the car requires a higher spring rate to keep it from bottoming out and hitting the ground. A higher performance shock is needed to control the stiffer springs. This all makes the car handle better by limiting body roll and keeping the tires planted on the ground.

Under the hood is a strut bar. It connects the shock towers together to limit flexing. A sway bar connects the control arms together underneath the car and resists compression. It limits body roll. On a front drive car a larger rear sway bar improves handling.

 

If you just want a good ride quality you can get a good set, or even just the front pair of shocks. Assuming the res of you suspension is ok. Like they mentioned the springs are probably fine.

 

No not ride quality, I want Superb Handling Quality.