mball

I installed Koni yellows on my TSX last weekend and I want to share some tips that I learned. The whole process took about 5 hours. I reused my stock springs and set the Konis on the lowest perch. Make sure you install the Koni perches like an umbrella and not like a bowl.

Front:
1. Disconnect the front sway bar from the endlinks. This makes it easier to move the front suspension.
2. After removing the lower strut bolt, hit the top of the spindle a couple of times with a rubber mallet to loosen the shock. Then remove the upper shock mount bolts.

Rear
1. Completely remove the rear sway bar. This will make everything easier.
2. I had to step on the brake rotor and push it down to gain clearance to pull the shock assembly out and reinstall it.
3. Pay attention to the direction that the lower shock nut is facing. The bushing on the nut needs to go towards the rear of the car.

If I think of anything else, I will add it.

Simba91102

You should be happy with this setup. I did the exact same thing to my 05 almost 4 years and over 80K miles ago. I set the damper adjustment (white knob) to the middle position and haven't touched them since (and you can't realistically adjust the back ones after you put the car back together).

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Good tips!

conig

iTrader: (1)

pics please. I've been thinking I would do this as well for a solid year.

green_henry

Thanks for the info

How's the ride? Was there a specific reason for reusing the stock springs versus something with a higher spring rate (e.g., Teins or Eibachs)?

mball

I trimmed the rear deck of my car so I can adjust them on the car. It took me about 5 minutes with my dremel tool. I like the set up so far.

How's the ride? Was there a specific reason for reusing the stock springs versus something with a higher spring rate (e.g., Teins or Eibachs)?

I kept the stock springs because my wife drives the car and likes the stock ride. I also didn't want to lower the car a lot, just a little. It rides smoother than stock with the shocks on full soft and is firm enough with them adjusted 2 turns firm from full soft.

conig

iTrader: (1)

question, normally when I change out shocks in this type of setup I skip a spring compressor. I just jack up the car and use a jack on the lower control arm to releive pressure and then slowly guide the shock back in 1/2 a turn at a time.

Can I use this method for the koni's?

mball

I think that you will have to use a spring compressor. I would worry that the spring would relieve itself violently when you lowered the control arm.

pally777

Hi mball, do you know how much the Konis lowered the front and the back?

How many perches are there on the front shock and rear shock?

Thanks for any info.

conig

iTrader: (1)

they drop 20mm from my research.

mball

The lower perch drops it 20mm all around. There are 2 perchs on the front and 3 in the back. The rear can be raised for trailer pulling. Unless you parked a stock TSX next to mine, you could not tell that it is lower.

pally777

Thanks for the info.

I currently have A-spec suspension, but want it a bit lower in the front. I'm thinking of getting a complete set of Koni shocks to replace the existing struts. I think 20mm on the front will do. The back is perfect the way it sits with the A-spec suspension IMO.

Pretty Potty

I hate to reply to an old thread but I got a question. Did you or does anyone know if the metal collars in the OEM shock mount bushing are big enough to accept the top of the Koni shock? This is my first TSX, I've been driving mid 90s civics for the past 20 years and you had either find a bushing that accepted the new metal collar or do your best to press the metal collar into the OEM bushing.