I am installing new struts and springs on my 91 STD. Eibach sport springs and AGX struts, I just want to know if there's any tricks or any foreseeable problems I might run into. Any advice or info would be appreciated.

 

make sure you are backing the bolts that connect the rear shock to the LCA out of the bolt that is welded on the shock itself.

 

My firend just did this. He broke the head off the bolts that goes through the rear strut and LCA on both sides. Other than that it was easy. . I would recomend putting WD-40 on them every day for a week before you actually start. They were a major pita to get out without the head on them.

 

The most common problem is breaking off bolt heads on the rear LCAs as they become rusted and froze into them. What I would do is either...

1. Use an impact wrench to take off those bolts
2. If you don't have an impact take your car to a shop, have them impact the bolt and then put it back in just tight enough to get you home.
3. Rent and impact
4. Buy an impact if you don't have it

As you can see I am a big fan of impact wrenches

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FourthGenHatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">4. Buy an impact if you don't have it</TD></TR></TABLE>

Impact Gun u my only friend

 

Thanks for the help, I just want to make sure I do it right the first time. It seems that a good set of tools is key. This is my first time working on my car but I figure I should get used to it, next summer a b16 is going in.

 

IMO use an impact gun
that way u are less prone to break any bolts....

at the same time use Anti-seize on ALL the botls u take off.... that way they wil never seize again..... and when u install them on the front.... be careful with the lower balljoints.... they are easy to brake in a way they will be turning all the time and bolt wont come off until u use an impact.... other than that its easy to install

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by USDM 4G VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">and when u install them on the front.... be careful with the lower balljoints.... they are easy to brake in a way they will be turning all the time and bolt wont come off until u use an impact.... other than that its easy to install</TD></TR></TABLE>

you can avoid dealing with the ball joint alltogether by taking off the bolt at the body end of the front lower control arm as you will in the back. But USDM 4G VTEC is right about how to deal with it. Keep it in mind when you need to do ur swap.

Have fun with that everyone remebers there first swap....
hmmmmmm

 

get a good ole' can of pb penetrating oil it works wonders

 

Get 2 new bolts from Honda, $8 ea. Impact gun, PB Penetrant and anti-seize will help too. The fronts shouldn't have any problem.

 

I just got done doing my 89 and here are my 2 cents;

Go to the dealer and buy new shock bushings. You will need a total of 8 for both front and rear. They don't cost much.

Also buy new bump stops. One of mine had completely fallen out and was missing. The others were starting to turn into powder. They tend to cost a bit for what they are and what you may want to do is just buy a total of 2 and cut them in half. That's making them a bit smaller that you would normally shave them shorter, but it's still reasonable.

Wes Vann

 

Dont get ahead of yourself. Make sure you have a manual and a friend(preferably one who knows hondas) handy.

 

also, i've had some trouble in the past getting some lca bolts aligned correctly so that they thread in right. The trick for getting them in the right position is to use a mallet and give the bolts a decent hit. if you notice, the bolts are tapered to a point, so i think honda did that on purpose. also a jack always helps to hold suspension pieces in place while you put it back together.

 

yep I carry my cordlees impact wrench with me whereever I drive.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91civicLX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dont get ahead of yourself. Make sure you have a manual and a friend(preferably one who knows hondas) handy.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Yeah, I bought a Haynes maual and two of my friends are gonna help me out. Thanks for the tips.

 

don't shoot your eye out. cut your bumpstops in half. use your stock hats

 

I didn't need a manual, pretty straight forward, plus there's always info on the web.

 

Douse and drench the bolts way ahead of time with PB.