[FAQ] Koni Shock Install

[SicNA94TegGsR]

RJ.... dunno why you didnt try the TEIN or JIC's? j/k... serioiusly though, how do they feel now. IVe had my yellows sitting for almost a year, havent installed them because Ive been DD'ing the car as of late, and kind of wanted to save them for track use. nice write up man

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[.RJ]

Originally Posted by SicNA94TegGsR

serioiusly though, how do they feel now.

awesome shocks, I loved having them all year on track

[uzabatty]

Originally Posted by ki3t

good write up

[RyanD03]

[Tyson]

RJ, where did you get that set of spring compressor?

ive found working with the loaner set you get at autozone to be a bear to work with. they barely accomplished the task of putting my stock front springs ON. however, after some engineering problem solving (not by me quite frankly) and finally finishing the task, it's possible in hindsight with the set you get from autozone, but really, i look at your set to compare and they look so much more suitable and easier to use.

[.RJ]

Bought them at autozone, $20 I think.

[Googs16]

Nice write up

But it brought back memories of when i did my install last fall, the front was no problem at all but the back was a bit*H . . . . I broke the head of 2 bolts wound up haveing to cut the stock rear shock bracket off to get them out, then it was a PIA to get the new bushings pressed into my LCA, it wound up takeing all weekend to install, but its all done now and the ride is GREAT!

[98vsmhatch]

Awsome write up, im gonna have to put this into effect in a month or 2

[Tad]

any tips on putting the shock fork/lca bolt back on?

That one seems to kick my ass regularly.

Last time I did it, I ended up filing down the insid of the shock fork alittle,
so it'd slide over the lca easier.
and I use a jack to lift the lca up into it..

for some reason if I just try to do it by hand that fork will never line up right to fit over the lca !

[94eg!]

Is the problem that your shock fork is pinching the LCA to hard? I can see that this would make it pretty difficult to get the bolt holes to line up. I usually need to push down on the brake assembly to get the holes lined up, but I haven't had a problems with the fork pinching the LCA too tight on the 3 hondas I've taken appart...

I did have a problem with my CRX now that I think about it. It seems that the previous owner had new shocks put on, and when his mechanic installed the old springs & upper mounts on the new shocks, he got the upper mount in the wrong position. It's only off a few degrees, but it was enough to rotate the fork out of alignment with the LCA when the fork is properly seated on the shock. The mechanics remedy was to leave the fork out of its locating groove, and rotate back into place. When I mounted it onto the groove (after some axle work), it made it almost impossible to line up the holes. I was twisting the shock assembly with all my might, and could barley get that damn bolt in. Once I did I though I was all set, but a year later that bushing was basically ruined. Recently I replaced the bushing, and reset the fork the way that mechanic had it. Ride height seems pretty much unaffected though.

I wanted to reset the upper mount to the proper degree, but my autozone doesn't carry a spring compressor that fits between the CRX's coils. Those Butt holes...

[killaj12]

hey i have a question..
i have koni yellows and my springs are sitting on the lowest pertch..
i was wondering if i could change that myself so the springs sat higher?
i see how to take out the suspension, but i was wondering how to remove the circlip etc..
im rubbing everywhere and my tranny and oil pan are getting raped..

[94eg!]

Originally Posted by killaj12

hey i have a question..
i have koni yellows and my springs are sitting on the lowest pertch..
i was wondering if i could change that myself so the springs sat higher?
i see how to take out the suspension, but i was wondering how to remove the circlip etc..
im rubbing everywhere and my tranny and oil pan are getting raped..

Yes you can, and its pretty easy. To move the circlip I just used a small screw driver. Make sure that you don't let the circlip get twisted or distorted though. If it gets bent, its ruined.

[philosofy1]

i noticed when you did i the rear you released the bolt from the upper trail arm to free up the shock. next time just release the bolt that connects the lca to the spindle and it will not throw off your alignment.

other than that pretty good job.

[Tad]

Originally Posted by 94eg!

Is the problem that your shock fork is pinching the LCA to hard? I can see that this would make it pretty difficult to get the bolt holes to line up. I usually need to push down on the brake assembly to get the holes lined up, but I haven't had a problems with the fork pinching the LCA too tight on the 3 hondas I've taken appart...

I did have a problem with my CRX now that I think about it. It seems that the previous owner had new shocks put on, and when his mechanic installed the old springs & upper mounts on the new shocks, he got the upper mount in the wrong position. It's only off a few degrees, but it was enough to rotate the fork out of alignment with the LCA when the fork is properly seated on the shock. The mechanics remedy was to leave the fork out of its locating groove, and rotate back into place. When I mounted it onto the groove (after some axle work), it made it almost impossible to line up the holes. I was twisting the shock assembly with all my might, and could barley get that damn bolt in. Once I did I though I was all set, but a year later that bushing was basically ruined. Recently I replaced the bushing, and reset the fork the way that mechanic had it. Ride height seems pretty much unaffected though.

I wanted to reset the upper mount to the proper degree, but my autozone doesn't carry a spring compressor that fits between the CRX's coils. Those Butt holes...

yeah basically I guess you could say the fork is pinching alil too much,
making it hard to fit it over the lca.
but once you make both ends of the fork over it at all, it lines up fine.

The thing that makes it tough for me I think, is that I have my koni's jammed down real low into the fork, for that extra ammount of stroke. So it would be horrid to try and remove them any time i did my suspension.
So I have to get the fork on with it bolted to the shocks!

Maybe if I got something to pry them open and stretch em out alil..
i dunno.

[94eg!]

Originally Posted by Tad

Maybe if I got something to pry them open and stretch em out alil..
i dunno.

Big flat head & a hammer works wonders...

[kenversusryu]

excellent write up.

[DrSiD202]

cool thread.. good work

[honda_turbo]

owh mach cost this kit??

[perochan]

does the suspension disemble works on honda civic 98 coupe?


Modified by perochan at 9:03 AM 4/5/2005

[slammed_93_hatch]

Originally Posted by perochan

does the suspension disemble works on honda civic 98 coupe?


Modified by perochan at 9:03 AM 4/5/2005

yes

[mamaboy]

one helpful thing i noticed is marking the upper mount portion with a white out all the way down to the base so when reinstalling it goes in as it did before.

[94eg!]

Originally Posted by mamaboy

one helpful thing i noticed is marking the upper mount portion with a white out all the way down to the base so when reinstalling it goes in as it did before.

This is only necissary if your springs are preloaded once the shock is reassembled. It is very important though since you will have a twisting force on your suspension at all times if you don't. This leads to premature bushing wear...

[t0ekn3e]

good write up

[JDMSiGuy17]

nice write up!

[digitalh3lix]

alrite do you know how to take em apart? i cant break apart those 2 thin bolts on top. any suggestions?