JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

So I installed new H&R Sport springs on my 2008 TL Type S the last couple days. The install was a breeze and everything went smoothly. However, when removing the stock rear assemblies I forgot to note which was the shock was installed. The shocks can be mounted either forward or turned 180 degree around unlike the fronts that can only go in one way due to the top hat bolts.
So when I was reinstalling them since I tried to compare any sort of mark or paint blemish or dust marks on the top hats that would give me the answer to which way they came out. Doing this actually worked and I was almost 100% positive they went back in the same way they came out. So now after doing that I would have thought the left and right side would have been oriented the same, meaning the bottom coil end was aiming outward on the drivers side, I would have thought the right side would have been the same with the end of the bottom coil aiming outward from the car. This is not the case. So does anyone have pictures or know for a fact which way the shock and spring seat need to be oriented? Should both sides be oriented looking the same way, or would they be basically opposite from eachother (which is how I would have thought it would be, but mine are not now).

The reason this is of concern is because the rear is no longer close to even. The stock ride height for the rears with OEM untouched suspension was 1/4" different between the sides. After installing H&R's initially it was the exact same 1/4" differences, however after a day that difference has grown to a 1/2" atleast. I am usually pretty anal about stuff and the rear shock orientation was the only iffy thing during my install. Everything else went perfectly and installed 100 confidentaly. If it means anything the rear H&R springs were identical so that was not of concern. I wish I had pictures of exactly what im talking about, but hopefully I explained it good enough.

Thanks,
James

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

hmm i wasnt aware the orientation made a difference?...

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

just wanted to add: theres actually a little nub that sticks out on the bottom part of the front shock where it bolts onto the fork, so it couldnt be turned any other way even if it werent for the tophats

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Im not talking about the fronts. I know the fronts can only go in one way. Its the rears that I was questioning because they can go in either way frontward or backwards. I just read through the service manual online and it does not mention anything about which way. What it does mention that I did not do was load the suspension prior to tightening the lower bolts. So maybe I will run out to the garage and loosen the bolts and re-tighten with the suspension loaded. I will snap a few pictures as well so what im talking about is a little more clear.

Thanks,
James

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Here are two pics I just snapped of the left anf right rear springs and shocks installed. They are labeled with a R and L so you know which is which side.
As you can see in the picture the bottom portion of each coil spring is not really equal per side. One side its towards the inside of the car and the other side on on the outside. I wish I had looked prior to removal, but like I said I tried and matched some marks on the top hats with the body of the car and I swear this is how they came off. I just need to know if anyone knows for sure or if someone can go check out to see how their TL is.

Thanks for any info.

TheDingo

That doesn't matter. As long as it is indexed correctly in the perch and tophat you're fine. Don't even worry about it.

geekybiker

See the part number? If they are the same you're okay. If not... well it probably matters.

flyromeo3

My aspecs have the part number out towards the wheels so I believe your install went right.

btw...that's a pretty clean under carriage.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

After having a friend show me his and looking at my wife's 04 Accord they were both with the end of the coil spring aimed outwards from the car. So I did a little bit of work and flipped the assembly 180 degrees so its like how I thought it should be. I know you guys said it shouldnt matter, but I figure it can't hurt to have it how it came from the factory. I also torqued the bolts down with the suspension loaded. I will give it a few days to settle and remeasure again.
As for the under carriage yeah it's pretty clean. It's a very low mileage 2008 Type S.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

I know the suspension may settle more, but so far my rear only dropped 1/4", which is weird because it definitely looks lower. The front went down 3/4" so far.

BSpecialist

eee, how does 1.4"F and 1.3"R advertised drop equal what you're experiencing. Do you have any pics after it has settled a few more days? I was really interested with this and the Koni yellow combo, but not sure if it's as low as I'll want it.

Legitka9

iTrader: (1)

If you got h&r sports with the konis and wanted it lower, you could go down to the lowest perch, 10mm lower. If its not low enough, get h&r race. If its too low, you can always raise it 10mm to the highest perch. I've got the h&r sports with koni yellows and its on the middle perch and sits perfect!

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

so to be clear, you flipped the right side around, and left the left side alone? Thinking about matching the orientation next time I work on my suspension

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Bump. James?

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

So here is what happened. When I removed the rears I forgot to note the orientation of the shocks so when it came time to put them back together I wasnt 100% sure which of the two ways to reinstall them. As some guys mentioned here it probably does not matter one way or the other, but im just weird like that and wanted it exactly how it came from the factory.
My wife has a 2004 Accord which as we all know is very similar to the TL and noticed her shocks were oriented so that the bottom ridge where the spring butts against was aiming outward from the car on both sides. So thats when I determined I wanted to swap the one side around. So it was actually the RIGHT side that got flipped around 180 degrees. So looking at the pictures above when looking at either the left or right side the spring and shock should be oriented like the one marked LEFT above. Hope this clears that up.