Going to replace my shocks, should I do springs?

[luder]

Hello all,

I have a 15 year old Prelude with close to 180K miles, and plan to install new OEM shocks as the car has lost a lot of its handling ability over the years. Should I also replace the springs (visually they seem all right). Wonder if replacing the springs (with OEM springs) is not going to make a difference in handling and I better save a few hundred bucks in your opinion? I do not want stiffer, or lowering springs, just OEM. However I don’t know enough about how springs age and affect handling with age. Basically: would I throw money away with new OEM springs, or is there some handling improvement to be gained? I can’t seem to find information about this other than “all springs sag with age.” Assuming they sag, does this also mean that they lose spring rates?

Thank you!

Topic

[college man]

If the springs are not broken and are in good shape I would leave them.

[Mike]

Just so you’re aware, your car doesn’t have shocks. It has struts, front and rear.
You have to use a spring compressor to change them or else you get seriously injured.
You won’t be able to get the parts back together without one, either.
Here’s an ETCG video to let you know what’s involved
Unless the springs are sagging, there’s no need to change them.

Before changing the struts, check the strut bumpers and boots, since replacing them later involves doing the entire job again.

[luder]

Thank you all.

Technically they’re shocks with springs over them, since it’s a dual wishbone suspension, not McPherson, but it doesn’t matter since these terms are used interchangeably :).

How do I know if the springs are sagging, or if not sagging but good at supporting the weight still? I’ll have a shop do the the work in NJ or PA (which I need to find a reputable one as well).

Thanks again.

[Mike]

[quote=”01prelude” post=175870]Thank you all.

Technically they’re shocks with springs over them, since it’s a dual wishbone suspension, not McPherson, but it doesn’t matter since these terms are used interchangeably :).

How do I know if the springs are sagging, or if not sagging but good at supporting the weight still? I’ll have a shop do the the work in NJ or PA (which I need to find a reputable one as well).

Thanks again.[/quote]

..and yet, they’d still have the potential to kill you if disassembled without first using a spring compressor 😉

The best way to know if the springs have lost height is by taking measurements at specific points and comparing them to vehicle specs.

[luder]

Should I measure the wheel well clearances or just the height of the front and rear?

Thanks.

[college man]

[quote=”01prelude” post=175965]Should I measure the wheel well clearances or just the height of the front and rear?

Thanks.[/quote]

Do the height

[James]

I am not familiar with your set up and am with the macphersons do they come apart together where you can buy them together for a little more without the spring compressor. This may not be the right awnser however if your considering doing it anyways and it is not much more for a “complete” assembly. Like I said I don’t know but thought I would put the question out there as were all here to help and learn I think.

[luder]

Unfortunately complete assemblies are no longer manufactured, so i’ll pay a shop to use my old springs which seem ok to assemble/install the struts using a spring compressor. The OEM strut parts alone without the shock absorbers – the mounting bases, bump stops, bushings and washers/nuts cost $400 plus!!! Shock absorbers around $125 each. Hope it will be worth it… It would be nice to replace the bushings as well next, but as you know these things are money sinks, but if I were to sell the car it’s worth about $4000 irrespective of new parts… These cars still handle better than recent Accords for example, and have a performance VTEC as well. Really want it to last until 270K at least. Honda stopped making cool cars like this and the S2000 for some reason.

[Author]

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