I know this may be stupid and all, but could someone tell me step by step, how to take out my rear struts on my 98 civic hatch that way I can lower the damn thing. Do I need to take out the rear seats and the panel? If so, could you tell me how? I've always had a professional do this, but I wanna learn this on my own.

 

First try removing the rear speakers. There are 3 screws one faces foward. More screws on the speaker. Now you should be looking at the strut through the hole. Get yourself a long ratchet, a long extension and a 14mm socket. There half way out.

If you cant do it like that then take everything out. Get a 10mm and 12mm socket wrench. The seat backs can be unbolted from the bottom rear of it under the carpet on both sides. There will be one bolt holding the seat bottom down. There are screws under the speaker that hold the trim to a little frame. There are plastic screws at the bottom and right where the seat bottom would touch it. Take off the seat back hinges its 12mm. Now pull toward the whole thing, kinda hard if its never been out, toward the center and forward at the same time.

 

After it's all done and pulled out, how do I go about taking the springs off the struts? Do I need a spring compressor or can I do without?