READ ME: "End-all" 7th Generation Civic Suspension FAQ's

[toyomatt84]

Q: I noticed, when ordering, that there is a difference between 2001-2003 and 2004-2005 Model<FONT COLOR="red">*</FONT> (not production year) Civic coilovers. Why is that? - A: During the production<FONT COLOR="red">*</FONT> of the '04-'05 models, Honda changed the bolts mounting the McPherson Struts in the front, to the hubs themselves, from 14mm to 16mm. In most cases, a sleeve or some drilling will allow you to fit one model on the other, but some setups cannot do that, due to built-in camber adjustment. Q: How far down must I be to require a camber kit? - A: Most anyone should get them as soon as they lower the vehicle, but as far as true necessity goes, you will start to need a rear camber kit once you reach the 1.5" drop and beyond. The reason being, that the rear wheels will start to camber out past the 3 degrees of acceptability. It is also recommended to wait a period of a couple weeks to allow for the new suspension setup to "settle", before getting an alignment and adjusting the camber. Q: I would like to do change on my struts and shocks. What would I need to look for? - A: For the 2001-2002 production<FONT COLOR="red">*</FONT> years, the strut/shock diameter is 50mm, where as in the 2003-2005 production<FONT COLOR="red">*</FONT> years it is 55mm. Q: I just lowered my car, now I get creaking/cracking noises from the suspension. What is it from? - A: This typically means that your springs are not seated/indexed properly. Loosen the top strut bolt, lift the car, and re-align them. Q: I just changed my suspension setup. How soon should I get an alignment? - A: Depending on what all has been done, and how low the car is, I would recommend not waiting longer than 2 weeks. For the most part, your car should have no problems lasting that long, without an alignment. If you went with a HUGE suspension drop, I would recommend no more than 5 days, if driven often. <FONT COLOR="red">*</FONT> - Please note that the term production year relates to when the car was actually manufactured. Certain model 2003 cars were produced in 2002, and some were produced in 2003. This is important to notice, as it signifies what size/type of suspension components you have. You can find the production year through the VIN number, or by checking the information on the driver's side door channel. Feel free to add your own input to this thread, but keep in mind that commentary/chat will be deleted, to keep in the nature of the thread.

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[Vermont]

Might wanna post up something tunning a suspension for say auto cross, drag racing and just daily driving. I was Told that the amount of camber and caster in the wheels can adjust how the car handles in different situations.

All over good post

[toyomatt84]

Originally Posted by oddmut

anyone can give me an asnwer to

What about the noise where when you go over bumps it sounds like your springs rattle? Is it normal for coilovers to? iunno.

It's probably the same reason for why they would making creaking noises. the springs are probably not set right. If that's not the case, your top strut bolt might be loose. It needs to be at 33 lb/ft of torque, if I remember correctly.

[toyomatt84]

Page updated.

Please keep the questions rolling, as I want to have this as detailed as possible.

[awang]

i don't have time right now, but maybe define some terms, like spring, shock, strut, etc... and answer the question "how do i lower my car"

[bakerboy0642]

ok if your gonna make this a big faq for noobs i have a pretty noob question,

im looking for about a 1.5" drop

is it viable to just get lowering springs? i'm kinda on a budget and i dont want to get new coilovers and the works, how will it last on the stock components? and it says in the faq about needing a camber kit after 1.5" but you only specify on the rear, so just the rear needs a camber kit?

[toyomatt84]

Originally Posted by Vermont

Might wanna post up something tunning a suspension for say auto cross, drag racing and just daily driving. I was Told that the amount of camber and caster in the wheels can adjust how the car handles in different situations.

All over good post

Originally Posted by awang

i don't have time right now, but maybe define some terms, like spring, shock, strut, etc... and answer the question "how do i lower my car"

That would be something better suited for the "Suspension" forum in the Technical Forum section. This is mainly a thread dedicated to typical 7th generation Civic suspension issues.

Originally Posted by bakerboy0642

ok if your gonna make this a big faq for noobs i have a pretty noob question,

im looking for about a 1.5" drop

is it viable to just get lowering springs? i'm kinda on a budget and i dont want to get new coilovers and the works, how will it last on the stock components? and it says in the faq about needing a camber kit after 1.5" but you only specify on the rear, so just the rear needs a camber kit?

Knowing what parts to buy and how long parts will last is entirely circumstantial. It would depend on the quality of products introduced, the wear on the existing components, and the type of driving to be done.

As far as the camber kit goes, I answered the question already. If you're going for a small drop, the rear camber kit will be the only correction necessary.

[bakerboy0642]

k, so in example, the tein lowering springs. I drive not too rough maybe a little fast around corners, it's my daily driver and all the roads around where I drive are all nicely paved. Would my stock struts last because I hear that they will need replacing after only a few months because of rubbing issues on even just a 1.5" drop

[toyomatt84]

Originally Posted by bakerboy0642

k, so in example, the tein lowering springs. I drive not too rough maybe a little fast around corners, it's my daily driver and all the roads around where I drive are all nicely paved. Would my stock struts last because I hear that they will need replacing after only a few months because of rubbing issues on even just a 1.5" drop

I would say on smoother roads with low amounts of stress, the stock struts would last anywhere from a month to a decade. There's really no telling if you've got poorly made struts. No one can account for that.

[kcari]

what are the long term affects if i don't get my creaking noise fixed?
I'm getting mixed opinions.
2 shops, including a JDM import shop said it was fine (they installed it)
1 friend said its not normal but still okay.
I would like to get rid of the noise but at the same time hate to go through removing wheels, alignment, removing strut bar.

[mikelax125]

I have seen a lot of people ask about why there car bounces a lot after the put coil overs on. you may want to address that. my belief is because of the dampening. but you may want to try and cover that topic!

[funz0rzies]

I know the fronts were changed, but will the rear struts from an 04+ work on an 02? I'm sourcing stock parts and my friend has some lying around.

[toyomatt84]

Originally Posted by funz0rzies

I know the fronts were changed, but will the rear struts from an 04+ work on an 02? I'm sourcing stock parts and my friend has some lying around.

The only thing you'll want to be aware of, is the larger strut diameter. 55mm, instead of 50mm.

[srv777]

Does anyone know what the changes were in terms of spring rates and damper changes between the 01/02 to 03 models?

I have a 02 sedan and would like to get rid of the harsh ride, so if I can find a set of shocks and springs from a 03, are they bolt on?

As per the FAQ, the 04/05 but will require a sleeve, but no mention of 03.

Thanks in advance!

[katzenjammer84]

I would imagine 02's and 03's are the same.

[Timbo88]

Would Neuspeed sport springs off of a 01 coupe fit on my 04 coupe or did the strut size differences also change the spring size?

[toyomatt84]

Originally Posted by Timbo88

Would Neuspeed sport springs off of a 01 coupe fit on my 04 coupe or did the strut size differences also change the spring size?

Strut size did change, but not the spring perches, so you should have no problems.

[Timbo88]

Originally Posted by toyomatt84

Strut size did change, but not the spring perches, so you should have no problems.

the guy is also giving me the oem struts too, so those would be no good for me then, right?

[toyomatt84]

Originally Posted by Timbo88

the guy is also giving me the oem struts too, so those would be no good for me then, right?

You could use them, but they'd need modification. I'd say if your stock ones are fine, there would be no need to use his.

[Curiouz_G]

Just wanted to add this for the people who want to swap to rear disc brakes or just go balls out on the front brakes with a BBK set...

Courtesy of 7thgencivic.com by Zzyzx

Have fun, heres a quick summery:

1. Cross drilled rotors DO NOTHING to improve braking or Reduceing Brake Fade.
2. Cryogenically Treating Rotors does nothing.
3. Changing the rear drums to Disks may actually Hinder braking.
4. Big Brake Kits in the front (Only) may also Hinder Braking.
5. Big brake kits can wreak havoc on ABS systems causing a measurable increase in stoping distance.
6. your tires may be the most important part of your braking system (After all you can only stop as quickly as your tires will let you).

the rest you can read here

http://www.civicforums.com/for....html

[HONDURA2K2]

will the 03 EP3 springs fit on an 02 ES1.

[toyomatt84]

Originally Posted by HONDURA2K2

will the 03 EP3 springs fit on an 02 ES1.

Just springs? No. Coilovers? Yes.

[HONDURA2K2]

i was going to raise my car up for the winter cuz it's too low right now and some guy is selling just the springs so i was going to grab them of of him. so i guess they wont work?

[toyomatt84]

Originally Posted by HONDURA2K2

i was going to raise my car up for the winter cuz it's too low right now and some guy is selling just the springs so i was going to grab them of of him. so i guess they wont work?

They won't work.

[T3hderk]

ok another n00b question. If i am to buy a coilover set for my 05 civic lx, can i use a set, say from tein, that is made for the dx? or will there be discrepancies in the way that the suspension is built? thanx for your time.