DIY - Front Shocks on 91

[ffffanman]

Just change out my front shocks on my 91 with 120,000 miles to a slightly used set of 04's yesterday. The Rears I did a few weeks ago along with a Zinardi Sway, but didn't take any pics of the process.
Just thought I would post the pics today and then the write up later when I have time. The pics kind of go through the process one step at a time.
It was 2.5 hours for me since i went slow on the first side and also had to reuse my tops of my old shocks and take them apart and put together on the new setup.
I had a set of strut compressors but they where a pain so I just used my C-Clamps.
I found taking off the bolt that holds the brake line brace a plus, then you can slid that brace up or down and out of your way.
An electric impact gun from Canadian Tire I bought for 50 bucks help here and there.
Thats 90 lbs pulling down on the lower A arm.
The car rides great now over our rough roads.
So for now.
Read the pics.
Trev

 

[goldNSX]

Is that your blood on the strut? :tongue:

 

[NSXclear]

Great pics Trev.

Instead of using the pry bar, I found it easier to use the 2x4 wood trick. I use leverage and sat on the 2x4 to push down the suspension to give me enough room to remove the strut unit out.

I just noticed that you chained some weights to the suspension to push it down. Very clever. 90lbs of weights won't give you much space. I had my 240lb friend stand on the rotors before, and that still didn't give me as much room as the 2x4.

I have to give credit to the person that posted that helpful 2x4 wood diagram. I use this trick on all my suspension installs now.

 

[ffffanman]

I noticed one of the suspension joints up high was at its limit with the weight I had, so I figure forcing things further than that would not be a good idea.
I could see you could get a little more room, but at what expense to the components your stressing.
Compressing the springs, I would suggest is your best bet, or a little of both!!! lol
Trev
Yes, that is my blood and since it was flowing, I thought I would mark the setup for easy install back in!!!

 

[Miner]

...
Trev
Yes, that is my blood and since it was flowing, I thought I would mark the setup for easy install back in!!!

Trev,

I hope you where in a heated garage while working on it. Nothing feels better than frozen, bleeding hands.

I haven't yet changed my shocks, but am thinking it may be a good time this winter to do it. I have changed the struts on late 80s Honda's including a 4 wheel steering Prelude which look similar (other than the driveshaft to the front wheels), and always took the spring and shock off the car as one piece, then used the spring compressor to take the load off the strut and remove the center nut. Is that not possible with the NSX?

By the way, what ever happened with your starter problem?

Miner

 

[ffffanman]

Yes, you take it all off in one piece, you just compress the spring to give you more room to take the strut assembly out. Then on floor take the strut apart.
I had problems with every part on my car but not a starter? Was it me?
Trev

 

[Miner]

Yes, you take it all off in one piece, you just compress the spring to give you more room to take the strut assembly out. Then on floor take the strut apart.
I had problems with every part on my car but not a starter? Was it me?
Trev

OK. From the photos it looked like you took the shock off the spring while on the car.

Never mind about the starter. It wasn't you, just the cold medicine in my head right now. It was in the 60s here on Fri and Sat so now I have a cold.
There is a reason I moved south.

Miner

 

[goldNSX]

Yes, that is my blood and since it was flowing, I thought I would mark the setup for easy install back in!!!

There's no need to mark the setup if you change an OEM shock for another. The only thing to remind is the upper seat of the strut where the spring sits on the rubber. Unless it's new it fits automatically.

 

[ffffanman]

Its real nice to have references so marking everything is a good idea.
In my case, I wasn't sure that the 04 shock and spring would work in my 91, so I marked everything in case I had to reinstall my 91 gig.
Also used the markings to realign the new set up on the ground and to understand how it came out.
Some people have bigger minds than me, but this is the way I have to do things.
Trev

 

[nigel]

Just a note of info for safety and it really helps.
Harbour Freight sells a really simple shock spring compressor for I think $29.00.
It's been awhile since I bought mine but well worth it..

Cheers
nigel

 

[ffffanman]

Can you say $12.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3980
I had an expensive one but got in the way and like my c-clamp visegrips, but these look nice.
Thanks
TRev