[JLAudioFan]

My 89 rex still has the factory shocks/struts on it, and here in tucson the roads are pretty damn bumpy... I'm looking for suggestions on a low cost replacement for the factory shocks. Nothing fancy, but I loathe buying oem honda replacements (too expensive for what you get... like paying 90 dollars for a set of factory plug wires)...

ANyone have the KONI Reds? They're 329/set on modacar.com, wondering if they're worth it.

They also have Tokico HP's for 299/set... I have some tokico illuminas on my '00 si and they're pretty sweet. anyone tried these hp's?

Thanks.

 

[JLAudioFan]

oh yeah... anyone in tucson have a spring compressor?

 

[Jonny_Black]

ya either of those will be fine. and the KYBs are a great strut as well see what you can get those for.

also you wont need a spring compressor. not sure if you have air tools or not, but really all you need to do is take a pnumatic and pop the 14mm off the top while the whole shock and strut are in a cardbaord box. really simple and cheap. I have done soooo many of these..and I have never used a compressor.

anyway..good luck

 

[JLAudioFan]

You were able to get the factory spring back on the strut? My rex isn't lowered and it isn't going to be. Thought you needed to compress the spring to get the nut back on the strut.

 

[ollie]

Well for stockers I would recommend a spring compressor.
Although on lowered springs you may not need to use one.

 

[JesseR]

You were able to get the factory spring back on the strut? My rex isn't lowered and it isn't going to be. Thought you needed to compress the spring to get the nut back on the strut.

you probably would need a spring compressor - couple things to keep in mind:
1 - the "over the counter" spring compressors at say NAPA don't fit between the coils on the CRX springs
2 - if you have alternate transportation, you could take all 4 spring/shock assemblies off and run them down to the nearest Midas (or alternative place that has a real spring compressor) and see if they would take the shocks out and replace the new ones (offer $25.00 or something).
3 - driving with 17 year old shocks and springs, don't be surprised if your springs are broken when you take them out. When I replaced my shocks, the bottom coil had actually snapped and was sitting in the shock cradle.

good luck

 

[Dren]

i would recommend using an air gun on the spring compressors. it will make things go a lot faster. lay the springs on their side on a table when you compress them incase the compressors slip off.

 

[akirarex]

Actually Dren, on the spring compressors that I had specifically said to never use an impact gun on them. I don't know the exact reason but that is what it said. I would guess the hammering effect on the threaded rod could make it snap. I never used a spring compressor on my crx for putting eibach springs or kyb struts on it though, just a jack under the control arm.

Does anyone have any good suggestions for springs with a minimum drop? I thought the eibach pro kit went lower than what they said.

 

[jfrolang]

Does anyone have any good suggestions for springs with a minimum drop? I thought the eibach pro kit went lower than what they said.

The H&R OE Sport Springs are listed as a 3/4 inch drop. They might be what you're looking for.