how hard is it to replace springs? - Honda Prelude Forum

puffxy · 10-21-2003, 09:50 PM

i'm considering a set of neuspeed race springs.. how hard would it be to do it myself? or is it a professional kinda thing?

anyone know how much a shop would charge to do it?

newbie questions i know

thx

xMrM02x · 10-21-2003, 09:57 PM

Get a spring compressor (Can rent it from most auto stores: Kragen, pep boys) and it shouldn't be TOO hard to install, but it's time consuming.

I did the rears (I had help from someone who was experienced), and I paid a shop to do the fronts, they charged me: 140 to do my front eibach prokit springs and koni yellow adj shocks.

edit: might want to get an alignment also...so you have to include that..

yield · 10-21-2003, 09:57 PM

You can do it yourself. Do you have a helms??? It's nice to have but you don't really need it - here's a nice writeup:
http://www.ntpog.org/mods/fifth-spri...-springs.shtml

You will want to get a spring compressor. The pitmann is not always necessary, just wack your upper arm with a hammer a few times, lightly. I know jack and I did it a couple weeks ago although it did take a long time. Mainly because it takes so long to crank the spring compressor by hand

Oh, and a buddy really helps.... like a lot.
Let us know if you have specific questions

G_Loc · 10-21-2003, 10:08 PM

air tools are a big plus, especially when using the spring compressor.

It took me about 4 1/2 hours to install all of them... I would have finished quicker if i didn't have to go make a tool run to Sears.

PRelude787 · 10-21-2003, 10:49 PM

As stated above........it's VERY time consuming! And a friend would help. Other than that it's not all that hard.....pretty straight forward if you have a helms......even a chilton manual would do.

emoKid · 10-22-2003, 06:23 AM

I didnt have helms or chiltons.. I just followed off a tutorial somewhere online.. Its really easy.. I did the front in an hour :-)... rears were tricky cuz a bolt wouldnt come off for me... but im pretty sure anyone with a slight mechanical ability could do it.

DanYO · 10-22-2003, 07:09 AM

hey i hope you are also going to replace your struts as well. stock struts won't last too long on a drop that big...

ds2000 · 10-22-2003, 07:18 AM

I did mine myself, I'v done a whole lude with a mate in two hours

inc torqueing all bolts back up correctly.

It does require a bit of finesse in places but take your time with it, get a buddy to help out and you'll be fine!

Dave

yohan420 · 10-22-2003, 11:08 AM

I did mine in 7 hours, no power tools ...and dinner in between and I take my sweet time

Its very straight forward, 3 bolts on top, 2 or 3 on bottom, on the fronts move the brake lines.. i changed my shocks but springs, compressing is the longest and most aggrivating part.

Red4WS · 10-22-2003, 02:19 PM

took me about 4 hrs from start to finishing taking my time...The shop that i got the springs from wanted $80 to do it....Oh and the spring compressors are a pain.

brendon2k · 10-23-2003, 01:07 AM

its very easy. good thing for anyone to do.

puffxy · 10-23-2003, 09:04 PM

well, most ppl are just saying it takes time.. but it's possible.. good thing

well i'll allot a entire day for the project and see how it comes out, thx for the feed back peeps

preludestud11 · 10-24-2003, 12:39 PM

You Dont need a spring compressor! I have lowered many cars with nuespeed, and Eibach, and havnt needed a spring compressor to put the springs on the struts. However the bolt does go flying with you let all of the tension off of the front. Its kinda cool though.

Rich

G_Loc · 10-24-2003, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by preludestud11
You Dont need a spring compressor! I have lowered many cars with nuespeed, and Eibach, and havnt needed a spring compressor to put the springs on the struts. However the bolt does go flying with you let all of the tension off of the front. Its kinda cool though.

Rich

ok, be safe, use a spring compressor. I loosened one of the spring compressors too quickly and the hat shot off pretty hard. Luckily i had the assembly pointed towards some brush.

I dont know what springs you might get, but I couldn't get my H&R Sports on without using the spring compressors

DanYO · 10-24-2003, 02:25 PM

yes, don't endanger the lives of yourself or your friend by removing your old springs without a compressor. there's a lot of potential energy stored in compressed springs. i don't know how you would be able to put the strut/spring assembly back together without a spring compressor? how'd you do it Rich?

oh yeah throw your stock springs on the ground when you get done swapping them out. it makes a cool sound like the one they used on the tv show "million dollar man" whenever he uses his super abilities.

bsi · 10-24-2003, 02:54 PM

ive heard of people putting the assembly on the curb and shooting them across the street..... but that is a darned good question. how did you get everything back together??

puffxy · 10-26-2003, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by preludestud11
You Dont need a spring compressor! I have lowered many cars with nuespeed, and Eibach, and havnt needed a spring compressor to put the springs on the struts. However the bolt does go flying with you let all of the tension off of the front. Its kinda cool though.

Rich

holy crap that sounds dangerous.. cool yea, fun probably, but omg what happens when it bounces back and snaps u in the eye? er.. yea let's be careful here =)

i would, however like to see that... from about 20 feet away behind a sheet of bulletproof glass