Bought a suspension kit - installation impressions

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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 07:21 PM
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Unhappy Bought a suspension kit - installation impressions

Hi guys,
Do not know, if everyone had the same "luck" just sharing my original thougts

Ordered A-spec Susp kit from Curry, package arrived.
Been provided dealer installation quote - $362.50 for labor.
Went to install it , got first call in an hour - missing some of the 100 pin locking nuts as well as stabilizer nut - been decided to exchange for existing ones.
Next call - 4 hrs later - missing C pins holding back panel (not even mentioned in the package), so in order to install rear shocks (front already installed) dealer would have to break existing ones - and order some - which will arrive in 4-5 days. So tomorrow, I'll picking up the car with "my" current stabilizer nut and some 100 pin ones and not attached back panel, until replacement arrived.
Does any one of you, had similar experience with A-spec installation?
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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 09:01 PM
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WTF?

No, I didn't have this experience. I also bought my kit from Curry Acura (at the same time I bought A-Spec wheels--it came in a package deal). When I got my A-Spec suspension kit, it came with the coilovers and that was it. It sounds like your coilovers were not manufactured correctly if they are missing parts. Either that, or the dealer's installers haven't done an A-Spec install before and don't know what they're doing.

Sorry to hear about this trouble!
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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 09:17 PM
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THanks a lot, Neuronbob.
Original package came originally from Honda to Curry- box, package and actual seals, hasn't been broken, and was carefully packed - with labels from American Honda for all the details (my understanding that Curry Acura just forward those packages - they don't pack it on site - yes there is additional label on top of original Honda package). My mistake that I didn't matched each small piece - just present of coils and struts satisfied my package research. For sure remember that no C clips been mentioned in the packing list - I'm sure of it.
Also, I believe some of the forum users had installed A-spec on Marine Acura in Corte Madera - do not know was it originally ordered from Curry or not.
Dealer also mentioned that even though he accepts this Honda package (warranty will not be voided), the package content seems unusual to him. Actual guy who installs it sounds very knowledgeable but at the same time I do not feel he had experience with A-spec kits before.
My hopes that I will not gonna end it up with fixitupper A-spec installation after all this hassle, assuming I have 2 yrs old riding in this car 80% of the time.

Oh - have reported to Curry rite away - no response yet.
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by vladfrenkel
Hi guys,
Do not know, if everyone had the same "luck" just sharing my original thougts

Ordered A-spec Susp kit from Curry, package arrived.
Been provided dealer installation quote - $362.50 for labor.
Went to install it , got first call in an hour - missing some of the 100 pin locking nuts as well as stabilizer nut - been decided to exchange for existing ones.
Next call - 4 hrs later - missing C pins holding back panel (not even mentioned in the package), so in order to install rear shocks (front already installed) dealer would have to break existing ones - and order some - which will arrive in 4-5 days. So tomorrow, I'll picking up the car with "my" current stabilizer nut and some 100 pin ones and not attached back panel, until replacement arrived.
Does any one of you, had similar experience with A-spec installation?

i did NOT have to remove the rear panel. Once you get the rear seat out you can see the top of the shock and with the right tools you can get them out. The manual does say you need to remove the panel but I think a number of use have done it without having to.

While the delay may be frustrating to you, at least the dealer is doing the job right and not cutting corners. In my mind that's a good tradeoff.
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 10:04 AM
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Yes, I believe it sure is. Dealer is very thorough. Even though panels are not fully clipped (waiting for C clips still), A-spec is installed and been tested by me during my Genesis vs RL comparison (mentioned in other thread). And it sure is a wonderful kit.
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 10:32 AM
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I had a similar situation when my dealer installed the A-Spec suspension. They had to break the C pins and order new ones to complete the installation properly. Held my car up only a day
and they had given me a new RDX to drive so I couldn't complain.

Just glad the dealer did not cut any corners to complete the installation. It was well worth the delay!
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 11:07 AM
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Great to know, I wasn't the only one with respect to C pins.
Was lockout and stabilizer pin also was missing from the package for you?
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by vladfrenkel
Great to know, I wasn't the only one with respect to C pins.
Was lockout and stabilizer pin also was missing from the package for you?
Not really sure, I purchased my kit from my dealer since their price was close enough
to the internet price. The only thing they really mentioned as a problem was the C pins.
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 11:01 PM
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I also purchased my Aspec Suspension/ Rims from Curry and had no issues. I have bought from them several times for all my Acuras and I have never had even a single issue. Sorry to hear about your luck.
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 11:19 PM
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Shouldn't be a problem. Thanks a lot for your comments guys. My dealer was flexible enough to adapt my old suspension nuts to a new A-spec ones, glad it's the same.
Overall, after installation it is such a wonderful kit. Waiting for my C pins to arrive tomorrow, so finally I'll be all set. My next project would 18'' tires + rims ---> do not know when.
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Old Aug 19, 2008 | 06:58 AM
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Originally Posted by vladfrenkel
My next project would 18'' tires + rims ---> do not know when.
I am hoping to do the same next spring I hope! Just have to find a wheel/tire combo
I like.
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 12:59 PM
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Great.
Pls keep me updated, I'll be interested what other people changing their stock 17'' to (rims and tires)

Last edited by vladfrenkel; Aug 20, 2008 at 01:01 PM.
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by vladfrenkel
Great.
Pls keep me updated, I'll be interested what other people changing their stock 17'' to (rims and tires)
If I make the switch to 18" wheels and tires it will not be until next spring.
The ones I am looking at right now are the Enkei Tuning SC05 that are on
the Tire Rack site. Not sure about tires yet, still have plenty of time on that.
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 03:31 PM
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Same here, mine has only 5K on it
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 04:16 PM
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Vlad, show us pics of your car with the A-Spec kit and yoru 17" wheelset!
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 06:48 PM
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Sure will, still waiting for my A-spec label to arrive from Curry Acura.
It looks pretty good on my Platinum Frost Metallic.
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 06:56 PM
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I purchased from Curry; everything was fine with parts contained in the order. The suspension performs very well too!
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Old Aug 21, 2008 | 11:28 PM
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As promised some pictures of my RL with A-spec and stock 17''.
Sorry for B&W photos, apparently that was the camera setting, I'll try to resend color ones as well.
This is 2008 Tech Package Platinum Frost Metallic


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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 11:41 PM
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A-spec install price vs. DIY

I recently bought an '08 RL Tech & would like to install the a-spec suspension - the dealer I purchased from quoted ~2 hours per wheel to install for a total of $ 960 (@ $120 / hour).

How hard is the DIY?

Mike
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 11:37 AM
  #20  
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Hi
My quote was $366+tax for suspension kit installation from Curry Acura.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 11:46 AM
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Sounds like you need to shop around, MaxAlexand. I paid about the same as Vlad.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 05:52 PM
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I got quoted $285 to install just the back...
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