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DIY: Springs & Shocks (And how to remove rear seat)

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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 06:22 PM
  #1  
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DIY: Springs & Shocks (And how to remove rear seat)

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/102381/DI...%20Install.pdf

DIY write up with pictures

Last edited by mclarenf3387; Oct 26, 2008 at 07:19 PM. Reason: Updated as per request of Niteqwill
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 06:29 PM
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1st off......AWESOME tutorial and AWESOME job...I must say

2nd...How much did it run you for the H&R sports and the Bilsteins? Is a camber kit needed?

3rdly...how much would you charge to do this if I came down to you? Im up in the SFV (San Fernando Valley). Let me know
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 06:37 PM
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Thanks.

H&R Sports were $150, Bilstein was $419 off ebay. Camber is car specific, not suspension specific, although it is a given with some (Tein, Race springs, etc.). My car needed no camber kit, I'm only off by hundredths of a degree.

PM me and we can talk about price and installation. It's all dependent around school and work. But my friend and I are willing to do any suspension install for a fee.
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 06:38 PM
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hows the car feel with the blistein? I don't think anyone on this forum has used blistein so your the first please leave a review sometime soon.
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 06:41 PM
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I do believe I am the first with Bilstein shocks on the forums. The Bilsteins are great, they are firm but feel stock, seriously. They are also very responsive and suit well with the springs. I'll try to do a full review in a few weeks. If anyone wants to hitch a ride to feel it, you'll be welcome.
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 06:50 PM
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Great write up!

What's next? Supercharger? Headers? Pulleys?

Eddie.
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 07:53 PM
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awesome writeup!! mods should put this under useful topics!
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 07:59 PM
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excellent job mang, this should answer a whole of request. just one addition, you don't need to compress the rear springs, the spring will come out and go in without the need of compressing the spring.
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 08:12 PM
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nice.... love the drop ....
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Old Apr 7, 2004 | 04:45 PM
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Re: DIY: Springs & Shocks (Mods Can Archive if needed)

Originally posted by NiteQwill
13. If you just replacing springs, you MUST mark the vertical position of all components using chalk. This is necessary for the front and back so you can align everything correctly. It’s a PITA to remove, fix, put back, remove, adjust, put back… you get the idea.
ok guys...i have no idea what this means...maybe u can clear this up for me. how do i do this?
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Old Apr 7, 2004 | 04:47 PM
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nice work.



bilstein
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Old Apr 7, 2004 | 04:54 PM
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Great write up.

I thought that there was no Bilstein fitment for our car. I couldn't read in the picture -- what is the part number and what car is it designed to fit?
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Old Apr 7, 2004 | 06:11 PM
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Re: Re: DIY: Springs & Shocks (Mods Can Archive if needed)

Originally posted by simean
ok guys...i have no idea what this means...maybe u can clear this up for me. how do i do this?
What I mean is, because the top mount hat HAS to fit a certain way back into the top holes... when replacing JUST springs, you must mark the position of the shock to prevent any misalignment when replacing the entire stock assembly because [b]stock shock piston rods don't turn[b]. Use chalk, pencil, pen, whatever.

Example (don't snicker ): BOLT [==> O=====]= TOP HAT (8) Holes in car They must all align to fit the bolt at the bottom assembly and top hat into the frame of the car.

When replacing both shocks and springs, this is not necessary because aftermarket shocks can turn... So you can turn the assembly and hat until it fits.

Honestly, you'll see what I'm talking about when you take it out.

Slimey: The Bilstein Sports are made to fit the 98-02 Accord V6. Don't get the 4cyl version (I believe there is a check digit added to the end of the part number) as they may blow due to different specs for gas compression and rebound.

Here are the Part Numbers:
Front: BE5-6580-H0
Back: BE5-6581-H0
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Old Apr 7, 2004 | 10:13 PM
  #14  
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Thanks.

I thought that 98-02 suspension parts physically fit our car, but are not a proper substitute because of weight differences between our car and the Accord.

I know that others (I think EricL had a nice write up a year or two ago) looked into Bilstein struts, but could not find a properly spec'ed model for our car.

I think you're the first person to install them in the CL-S. Let us know how they work out - I'm looking to upgrade my struts in the next year or two and if my decision tree adds in Bilstein, then I got some more thinking to do.
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Old Apr 11, 2004 | 12:23 AM
  #15  
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Nice post man. I followed this last night and got my H&R OE's on. It took me about 8 hours because I didn't have an air gun. Compressing the springs is a biatch by hand. I didn't get done until 5 a.m.......drove around about 20 miles and went and got an alignment later.

Also, I didn't realize what you meant on #13.......I found out very quickly about 3 hours in to the first spring and the 3rd time off.

All in all...priceless post. You may want to add that you need a hex key to get the rear sway bar off. I was turning and turning for 15 minutes before I realized the whole bolt was moving. . Also, it would be cool if it was printable....as it doesn't format well on a printer.....but no biggie.

Thank you for taking time to do this.
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Old Apr 12, 2004 | 02:31 PM
  #16  
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Thanx for the comment! Glad to see everything worked out and this post helped you.

Sorry, yes, I should add that a hex key is required for the end-links. I used an airgun (no key needed), so I forgot that I needed it.
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Old Apr 12, 2004 | 02:36 PM
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Excellent write up!! For those without air tools I'd skip removing the end links. I didn't take mine off when I did my comptech/konis and it wasn't a problem.
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Old May 16, 2004 | 06:33 PM
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What happened to the pictures!
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Old May 16, 2004 | 07:20 PM
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They are still there Server is down sometimes.
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Old Oct 9, 2004 | 06:51 PM
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So how is the hadling ? Agree that the bilsteins are the best ! Thank you for this add ! Thank you !
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Old Oct 9, 2004 | 06:56 PM
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Another question what is the part # for your H&R sport springs ? Thanks !
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Old Jun 6, 2005 | 11:25 AM
  #22  
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im gonna bring this back from the dead so i can thank NITE for a incredibly detailed DIY. im going to attempt this with my brother-in-law very soon and this was VERYYYYYYYYYYY helpful!!
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Old Jun 13, 2005 | 09:14 AM
  #23  
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Nite,
First of all, I want to thank you on preparing an _excellent_ guide. I used it to install the rear shocks and springs this weekend and it was very helpful.

I had a few thoughts/ questions.

1. why do you recomend removing all three bolts at the top of the shock? It does not seem necessary, and we did not remove it for the second wheel.

2. Did you use the bottom out bumper from the original shock? It is not mentioned in your guide. (We did - no probs yet.)

3. regarding the front shock, do you really need to remove all five bolts at the top mount mount? (see no.1)

4. To make the job easier, we used a second jack to compress the spring soo that the spring compressor can be attached while its compressed, saving alot of time compressing it by hand.

5. I know you installed non-adjustable shocks,but i used illuminas - I drilled out a small hole above the shock to allow acces to the adjusting knob. You may want to mention that possibility.

Thanks again for a great guide!
Roland
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Old Jun 13, 2005 | 07:44 PM
  #24  
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How do you check how many degrees you are off in order to determine you even need a camber kit in the first place? (Besides actually seeing it). Anyone know?
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Old Jul 14, 2005 | 10:14 PM
  #25  
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please sticky this post thanks
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Old Nov 5, 2005 | 07:36 PM
  #26  
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Bilstein Sport H&R Sport 50103 on TL

Thanks NiteQwill for the DIY. I have installed H&R Sport 50103 on my TLP. Two finger gap all four corners
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Old Nov 5, 2005 | 10:36 PM
  #27  
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Looks pretty hot, NiteQWill's DIY saved alot of forum members a shitload of money, thanks again NiteQWill!
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 01:30 AM
  #28  
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Please send all your saved money to me
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 01:40 AM
  #29  
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Haha, once I fix my self upgrading rotor.
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Old Dec 11, 2005 | 03:45 PM
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Nice write up....very detailed...
btw...How are the ride quality and cornering performance?
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Old Dec 17, 2005 | 03:45 PM
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excellent write up! i'll be needing this in the future. the drop looks perfect for me. not too low.
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 12:46 PM
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Where did the pictures go!!!
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 01:27 PM
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Seems like www.we-todd-did-racing.com is down for awhile.

I have a backup. Let me put it up. brb
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 01:29 PM
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Posted as a backup in PDF:

SUSPENSION INSTALL
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 01:31 PM
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hope that helps guys!
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 01:39 PM
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Thanks...I can't wait to dig in
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 02:17 AM
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Okay, all DIY PDF files are available by me.

Please contact me at niteqwill (at) gmail.com

and I will forward you the files.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 09:41 AM
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You might as well make a list of your DIY since they have been and continue to be so helpful to us
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Old Mar 20, 2006 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by NiteQwill
Thanks.

H&R Sports were $150, Bilstein was $419 off ebay. Camber is car specific, not suspension specific, although it is a given with some (Tein, Race springs, etc.). My car needed no camber kit, I'm only off by hundredths of a degree.

PM me and we can talk about price and installation. It's all dependent around school and work. But my friend and I are willing to do any suspension install for a fee.
Where did you get bilstein shocks for 419??? The only one i found on ebay was 479....these ones right?>>>>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BILST...48267355QQrdZ1
Tryin to do something like yours but with eibach prokit
oh yea just want to say THankyo thankyou thankyou for the DIY!!!
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Old Mar 20, 2006 | 11:25 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by OneFlyCL
Where did you get bilstein shocks for 419??? The only one i found on ebay was 479....these ones right?>>>>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BILST...48267355QQrdZ1
Tryin to do something like yours but with eibach prokit
oh yea just want to say THankyo thankyou thankyou for the DIY!!!
I bought them off ebay. It's been awhile so I don't remember the seller's name or shop. But $479 sounds good.

Yes, those are the shocks that I used. To make sure, compare the part numbers before every purchase off eBay.

Good luck!
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