Lowering your car has a lot of advantages: better handling, lower center of gravity and a better look. But sometimes a static drop with lowering springs is a bit too low. Coilovers are adjustable so that you can raise or lower your vehicle with just a few tools. As an added bonus, they're no more difficult to install than standard springs, such as in this process involving a 1994 Honda Accord.
Jack up your vehicle with the jack and set the car on jackstands. Make sure the vehicle is secure on all four corners.
Remove all four wheels with the tire iron.
Unbolt the strut from the fork with a 14mm socket.
Unbolt the brake line using a 12mm socket.
Unbolt the fork from the lower control arm with a 17mm wrench and socket.
While holding the strut with one hand, unbolt the strut from the strut tower with a 14mm socket.
Remove the strut and set it to the side. Take the spring compressor and mount it to both sides of the spring.
Tighten the spring compressor so there is no pressure on the strut cap.
Use the Allen key and place it in the center of the strut, with a 14mm wrench on the strut cap nut. Turn the nut to loosen it while the Allen wrench is held steady.
Remove the cap once the nut is completely loose. Remove the stock spring.
Pull off the bumpstop cover and slide the bumpstop off the strut. Cut the bumpstop in the middle with a knife.
Reinstall the bumpstop and bumpstop cap onto the strut.
Place the coilover threaded assembly onto the strut. Thread the adjustable to the middle of the threaded assembly.
Place the spring onto the coilover seat. Then reattach the upper cup and tighten up the nut. The strut is now ready for reinstallation (the reverse order of installation).
Once the strut is back in place, put the wheels back on and the front is done.
Remove the rear wheels with the tire iron.
Unbolt the bottom of the strut with a 14mm socket.
Unbolt the top of the strut, using a 14mm socket. It's located in the trunk behind the stock carpeting. The strut will then drop to the floor.
Remove the strut and set it to the side. Mount the spring compressor to both sides of the spring.
Tighten the spring compressor so there's no pressure on the strut cap.
Use the Allen key and place it in the center of the strut, with a 14mm wrench on the strut cap nut. Turn the nut to loosen it while the Allen wrench is held steady.
Remove the cap once the nut is completely loose. Remove the stock spring.
Pull off the bumpstop cover and slide the bumpstop off the strut. Cut the bumpstop in the middle with a knife.
Reinstall the bumpstop and bumpstop cap onto the strut.
Place the coilover threaded assembly onto the strut. Thread the adjustable to the middle of the threaded assembly.
Place the spring onto the coilover seat.
Reattach the upper cup and tighten up the nut. The strut is now ready for reinstallation.
Once the strut is back in place, put the wheels back on and the rear is done.
Measure the height from the fender to the ground, using a tape measure.
Determine the ride height you want for the vehicle.
Using the wrenches supplied with your coilovers, adjust the height to your needs. If it needs to be lower, lower the nut on the strut. To go higher, raise the nut.
Jack up a corner of the vehicle and adjust the coilover with the wrenches. This may take some trial and error to fine-tune the height, but you can do whatever you like.
