Help Removing rear Shock and springs!

[Tobal]

I need help getting the shock and springs out of the rear. Just finished the front, and having trouble getting the shock out in the rear...The shock keeps hitting the control arm.... I read a few threads about using a compressor to compress the spring to remove the assembly out, but it doesn't seem to work out. Is there any other hints or secrets on how to remove the whole rear suspension.

The other thing is that it seems to be hard to put the shock back in too if i did compress the spring and get it out because i will be putting back stock springs and shocks in there. tried everything on the DIY write up on the removal and install @ nsxhelp

 

[NSXCessive]

See 18-29 of the service manual which is like page 672 of the 1400 page PDF.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Tobal,

If you are replacing spirngs/lowering/etc, you will need an alignment. I would LOOSEN the lower a-arm bolts a turn or two, so the lower a-arms do not bind on the bushings. Then take a good size crowbar/lever, make sure it is covered with electrical tape or similar, so you do not scratch the lower a-arm, and have a helper use it to lower the suspension to clear the lower shock mount. Once the lower part of the shock is out, move it to the rear and extract it. It is ALOT easier if you leave one or two of the top nuts on until you get the lower part of the shock out.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[jorligan]

Rear springs

I've done the spring change on my car ('98) and on a '93 NSX. I don't know if the difference was the age on the cars but mine was way more difficult. On the '93, just needed to have nick stand on the hub and it came right out. On mine, used a 6 foot black pipe to get enough leverage to deflect it down and it eventually bent the pipe into a U. If you use a pry bar or pipe, make sure and pad the lower control arm to prevent scratches and use aluminum sheet over the rear boot to prevent damage.

Tim

 

[PorknBeanz]

I used a few blocks of wood and wedged a small hydraulic jack between the frame and the lower control arm. In this position when you use the jack you are pushing the whole unsprung assembly down. My shocks practically fell out when using this technique.

 

[matteni]

Re: Rear springs

On the '93, just needed to have nick stand on the hub and it came right out.

Well - although I could stand on your hub and my considerable weight (all muscle BTW) would allow you to get your strut out - I am very busy and think any Tom, Dick, or even Harry would do!

Seriously - I too have done this and it is a BEAR! I really feel for you right now and I think it would be easier to get a night job in a salt mine then to do this yourself.

OK - how I did it (not recommended by anyone I assure you) is I stood on the hub with both feet and using a rubber mallet CAREFULLY inched the strut forward over the boot so as not to tear or hurt it. It was a very delicate operation and I don't recommend this to those who can easily take the lower suspension apart but it did work for me.

If you don't have a helper find a way to suspend the strut as you will need one hand to hold on to the car and one to work the mallet. Just tap slowly and carefully and you may find this works well for you. Not for the timid!

 

[MvM]

And this is all one day before I have planned to put my TEIN-RA set it. Finally. Just printed all the docu I could find on the stuff and now you guys are all over prime telling my how hard it can be to get the rear shocks out.

Well, since I've never done anything like this I am going to play dumb and just try it.
After all, I have more or less reserved my whole weekend for this

 

[ak]

Here's what worked for me.

1. Get a spring compressor
2. Compress the springs
3. Push the shocks up with your hand while someone stands on your rotor/hub

This should give enough space to pull out the spring/shock.

-ak

 

[Animate]

I was working on my own installing Eibachs, so like Larry I ended up loosening the control arm bolts. It helped, or I should say made it possible. It still didn't seem easy.

After the install I tried to think of how they would do this at the assembly plant. Just a guess but it may be something to rotate the lower control arm down 10 degrees or so, similar to what PorknBeanz suggested. Next time when I install Tiens that's what I'm going to try.