Today I went to get the bolts on the rear lower shock loosened. Well basicly whoever had my car before got something done to the rear and when they tightened the bolts back up, that over tightened it. So when we were trying to loosen the bolts, the bolt snapped. So now I still have the stock shocks on the rears but only one side of the bolt, the side with the bolt that welded to the shock, is holding the shock onto the control arm. This also means that the one on the other side will probably brake when we try to take it off too. So basicly if theres anyone out there with two REAR LOWER SHOCK BOLTS, I need them. These are the bolts that go through the bottom of the rear shocks and through the control arm. I need them for a 1994 civic. PLEASE, ANYONE.

I fixed it. The fronts are 100% done now. Just have to do the rears. I cut the bumper stop (#12 in the diagram) in half and the main problem is that the bumper stop guard sleeve (#11 in the diagram) was comming in contact with the coilover thread sleeve and it actually dented the sleeve and part #11 was dented bad. Basicly I just tossed #11 out of the suspension setup. Rides great now. Now I just want to get the freaken rear lower bolt off. I'll save that till tomorrow. My hands have all kinda of slices and cuts and scrapes on them. They feel torn up. Now I get the whole glove concept. Well, too late. By the way, I'm doing these on my own, and now I know, PROPS TO ANYONE THAT DID THEIR OWN SUSPENSION!!!

This is just the problem. I got it now though. Thanks all.
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Arright. All I could install is the front because I couldn't get the bolt off thats on the rears that holds the shock to the control arm. Plus I have heard that alot of people have broken their control arms trying to force it. So I need to find somewhere with a air tool. But my main concern, I drove it today with just the fronts on and the rears stock still. The ride if BOUNCY AS HELL. Its like, if I go a little fast, it starts bouncing. Also when I hit something little as hell like a small bump, it bounces. What the hell did I do wrong. LOOK AT THE SHOCK DIAGRAM:
From the bottom of the shock up, I installed: 12 then 14 then 11 then That washer that is shown over 11 then everything on the far left diagram. WHAT DID I DO WRONG. I think the shocks are set at '2'. Don't know that that means. As far as ground control height I have it in the middle of the screw and it looks like its heigher than the stock spring were from looking at the wheel well.
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I just left that there for people who wanted to know the origional problem.



Jea, great link: http://www.bseries.net/html/garage/spring.php

Thanks


[Modified by kay_animation, 5:03 AM 3/15/2003]


[Modified by kay_animation, 9:21 PM 3/15/2003]

 

I just read this post: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=440987 What are ground control upper mounts? Do I need those? If you say yes, you will kill my dreams cause I really wanted to put them on tonight. I've been waiting on this suspension for like a year. But hey, I need to know what I will need.

 

Read my post:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=435578

They're not needed but they work out great, and the only thing you need to use from you current setup would be the washers if you bought those mounts.

 

Arright, thanks. That helped out with the GC upper mounts. I guess I'll have to use the stock setup parts then. What parts will I need from the stock shocks then? A diagram would help out alot.

 

You'll need everything that you take off basically. Everything except for the old strut. Just put everything in order like the way you originally took it off and you should be ok.

 

Arright, I just worked on it. I started with the front right side. I got the shock completely out of the car but wasn't aware that I needed a alan head and a wrench to free the stock spring from the stock shock. Now I'm just stuck till tomorrow. By the way, can I get around using a spring compressor. I don't have one and can't really affort to rent one thats hella expensive. I guess can I just hold one end down with my foot and face the other end away from me and just let it spring off. I know its sounds dumb to me too but I have heard of many people that successfully did this.

 

you can get a spring compressor for $20 at auto zone

 

f*ck that.....get your two tires, lay em both on the inner part. Wedge your strut and the impact gun (if ur using one) inbwetween the two tires, and let 'er rip. the tires will absorb the kick....just make sure u recover the washers and bolt. Trick 'o the poor man's trade

 

Got a lawn? Go lay the OEM shock/spring assembly on the grass, and let 'er rip. That's what I did, since I couldn't figure out the stupid spring compressor bullcrap.

Alex

 

you can RENT the spring compressors from any auto parts store for 10 bux, and if you are quick and get them back that same day....some times you get your money back.


and how can you not figure out the spring compressors....the are easy as hell to use

 

I guess I really didn't give enough of a f**k to go to the effort to figure out...I was in a hurry so I used the lawn! Took the spring compressor back like a week later and got the $ back. The lawn is still growing, too...

Alex

 

The autozones over here offer free rental. You just put the deposit down and get the money back when you return the item. No time limit or anything.

 

same here.

 

Yea, I know that napa lets your rent them. The only problem is that I was excited and started last night and got up to removing the shock/springs from the car. I would hate to have to put them back on, then go to the store for the compressor, then come back and take them off again. Not lazy, I just hate working and having to go back to stock again cause something didn't work out. Well , i'll go back to working today. Hope all goes well. The only problem that I had is that I'm using a basic socket wrench set to do the work. And taking off those rusty suspension bolts is not all that fun with just the power of your arm. I got a workout from just taking the front drivers side one out. I still got the other front and both rears to go. Hopefully no problems will occur.

 

blow your load into an empty box(lay the box sideways, that way all your parts dont go flying every where).... easy enough.. just steer clear when the spring unloads

 

go rent a spring compressor so you don't hurt yourself or damage something. You can find diagrams of the shocks online at http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

 

Ha ha, thanks kommon_sense for the common sense. I have a new question though. I'm stuck because I can't get the f**cking bolt that hold the spring on that is on the top of the shock off. I put an alan key in the top and I don't have a wrench, just socket wrenches, so I was using some locking pliers, but I coult get the bolt to budge. Is there some special way to take that bold off. The upper thread is a little rusted, but not that bad. Any suggestions? Anybody want to tell me how they got their off or if there's some special tool they used?

 

What you gotta do is use an open-end wrench of the correct size to get it apart while you use the allen wrench to hold the threaded part still. Sometimes they're on there pretty good but it should work -

Alex

 

Arright, thanks. I tried to get some penetrating spray from the hardware store. I walked in the rain because the car is already dissasembled and what do I get: Closed because of power outage. I can't f**cking win. Now I'm wet with a car that not any closer to being finished. Today was all in all a failure. I'll just go to sleep and try again tomorrow. I'm getting spring compressors, F44d, an open end wrench, and some hope. I'll let you know what happens. I'm hoping the bolt will be easier to take off with the spring decompressed and greased and stuff.

 

You really need the right tools for the job. You won't be able to do everything with just socket wrenches. Go to http://www.jcwhitney.com and look at the metrinch tool kits. They may be right up your alley. I own a set and love them. If you go fedex, you will have it in 2 days. You could also go to sears and buy a cheap set of metric wrenches.

 

LOL! This is too funny! Reminds me of my FIRST spring job too....but that was years ago!

Definitely get the right tools. And maybe a can of WD-40 for those stubborn nuts and bolts.

Now that I have air tools, it's MUCHO easier! Just a few weekends ago, I changed my buddy's springs in about an hour. I wonder how I've ever lived w/o air tools!

 

Dam 98CTRCoupe, must be nice. Well, back to hand power.

 

you need all that stuff on the left in that diagram.

 

Please Help!!!

 

You can't use the stock dust cover (#11 in the diagram above) w/ GC suspension. Your best bet would be to get something like universal tie rod boots and zip tie them to the shock, inside the springs, to keep the shock rod from getting dirty. Running w/o any dust cover will kill the shock quickly.


[Modified by PatrickGSR94, 8:02 PM 3/14/2003]