old_dud

My car is currently lowered and I want to install the stock suspension to bring it to factory ride height.

I am trying to decide if I am going to replace the struts/springs myself or just get a shop to do it. Right now I got an estimate of about 380 for the labor and alignment; not including the parts.

Is this a reasonable price? Where is the Toronto/Hamilton area is a good place to go?

And is this a job I could do myself? I have an air tool set and do my own brakes on my cars (including drum). I figure I need the spring compressor right?

D.T.P

Seeing how you need to ask if its hard and if you can do it yourself, I'd say bring it to a shop.

I've swapped suspension countless times on these cars without a problem. Its very simple really. Get a haynes manual, first of all. But again, you don't sound too confident about yourself, so may be a good idea to leave it up to somebody who knows what he's doing.

MPR

Just to add... You shouldn't need an alignment if all you're doing is replacing the springs/shocks.

old_dud

I'm confident but I do have a lot on the go right now. I downloaded the service manual, the real one that is like 2200 pages has it in there. It doesn't look too bad really but I have heard that one before... If I could get it done for cheaper than 250 it is probably not worth my time.

That being said I have learned from 13 years of keeping a 88 mustang on the road that I am fully capable of screwing up any job

old_dud

Really? It is to change the ride height, shouldn't that change the camber of the wheels? Or at least possibly change it?

MPR

^It's lowered now, correct? If there were no other alterations made to the suspension, like camber kits added or adjustable front upper control arms, meaning; everything, other then the springs and shocks, is still stock, then no you will not need an alignment. If anything, you'll have too much negative rear camber at the moment, which will be corrected when you bring it back up to stock height.

It's not too difficult to change out the springs/shocks. Watch out for the rear lower control arm bolts seizing to the bushings...

D.T.P

Yup, no real need of alignment. Civics don't really adjust in camber, therefore as long as you use stock spec springs it will sit just right. Though getting alignment once in a while is not a bad idea, just to make sure your toe is not off and you are not burning tires. But if its fine now, then don't worry.

It's an easy job really. If you looked over the manual you can see that top is held by 2 nuts and the bottom is just as simple. Front has a fork that you remove, so take out the 14mm holding the fork to strut and the 17mm holding the lca to fork. The back you undo the lca bolt that i believe is 15mm(?) and you should be able to pull it out with some improvisation. Otherwise you can remove another bolt off the LCA to push it out of the way.

old_dud

Thanks guys!

old_dud

Well I finally got around to doing the suspension on the car, replaced the rear struts today was pretty easy.

If I have some time tomorrow I am fixing to do the front but I bought a couple of used struts. Problem is they are both 'lefts'. The guy told me all I had to do was turn the one so the aligning tab is in the right spot. I have a spring compressor but am not sure how to go about turning the strut assembly. Do I have to take it apart? Or will it just turn when the spring is compressed?

MPR

^Just compress the spring and turn the top part so the bolts line up with the holes in the shock tower and so the tab at the bottom faces in towards the car.

old_dud

Thanks guys. Can't wait till after supper, this is fun!