Hello All. I am still relatively new to the honda scene and still relatively inexperienced with cars in general. I recently purchased a 1997 ex coupe as an economy car to get me around the last few semesters of college. I have it running pretty well now and its time to focus on the suspension. The car has 171k. A couple of things have happened that make me think the suspension needs replacing. One, when I first got the car I had the front tires replaced and after they test drove it the tire shop recommended that the suspension be replaced (They obviously understand the sales aspect of their job). Additionally, the car "leans" to the drivers side when parked. I have also noticed that the car seems to bounce a lot. I am looking for a stock replacement set up, that will last me three to four years.

What all am I going to need to replace and what are some of the products on the aftermarket that I should check out. I have read the suspension thread in the FAQ, and while there is a lot of good info there and several suggestions, it seems as though that thread is concerned with performance upgrades and not stock replacement solutions.

I appreciate any comments and input. I am not afraid to read so if there is a thread addressing this please point me to it (i searched for "stock suspension" but didn't find anything that answered my questions).

Thank you.

 

leaning to the driver side.... suggestions would be to find and replace all your shocks with any aftermarket OEM replacement shock, will help you in this. if you want a little bit more dampening, get a heavy duty type OEM replacement shock.

other then that check to see how your bushings look, and replace the ones that look cracked, or broken. after all of that get a alignment.

 

In regards to the lean, the car is heavier on the driver's side, so it should lean some. However, was the ground perfectly flat and level? How are you measuring? (The fender gap is a terrible way to do so)

At 171k, you will need:
complete bushing inspection and replacement as needed (most will need it, especially the large TA bushings)
balljoint inspection and replacement as needed
new shocks (going off the claim of bouncy ride quality)
alignment

Honestly, since you're a dude in college, buy a set of Koni Sport shocks, set the circlip to the lower position, and enjoy the lowered ride height and restored the ride quality. Otherwise, any OEM replacement will do the job (and be cheaper), but there's no way I could have bought new shocks and not stepped up for better performance and looks while I was that age.

 

Awesome, thank you guys.

I say the car is leaning to the drivers side based on looks. Whenever you walk up to the car from the front or rear it looks like its leaning. Almost like both of the tires on the drivers side are low on air, but they're not.

What I gather is, replace the shocks (koni sport shocks may be a good solution) check the bushings and be prepared to replace many of them. After checking/replacing these things get the car back to a shop for an alignment.

Where can I find info on what bushings are/do and how to check/replace them? Also where can I find info on replacing the shocks (what special tools are required, I think I need a compression jack or something... even though I don't really know what that is)?

Thanks again.

 

A easy way to tell is just to look. if they are cracked, rotting, and/or missing chunks replace the bushing.

Go under the car start poking around. Grab the control arms/whatever and try to shake it. Checking for excess movement.

For the ball joints, keep it OEM/Moog. Also, while your under there take a look at the tie rods.
If you do need to replace the upper ball joints, you'll have to swap the control arms out. (New OEM/Moog.

For bushings, take a look at the hardrace/PIC hardrubber kits. Which are quite resonibly priced. OEM would be very expensive.

Having a press would help if doing bushings. You can cut/burn them out, but putting them in would deffinetly be easier with a press.