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I plan to install all four strut assemblies on my '93 Civic CX Hatchback. Can anyone provide tips, tricks or suggestions to make this an easy or easier install.

Thank you

 
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Soak all the bolts in pb blaster each day for a week before doing the job, have a blow torch and potentially a candle to melt wax onto seized bolts ready, good luck.

 
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Can you elaborate how melted wax will aid seized bolts and the purpose of soaking bolts in PB for a week?

 
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The more time you give penetrating lube to work, the better results you will have. I always repeatedly spray bolts that I know will be seized for a few days prior to the job.

Here's a youtube video of the candle wax trick, it works very well.
[autostream]http://autostream.com/ibcivicforums/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=1075& transactionid=1318982977-174169168&posted_by=MindBomber_www.civicforums.com &youtube_video_id=KwKHSvKfnHI[/autostream]

 
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Looks great.

I'll keep that ready in case I have that problem.

Thank you.

BTW, will I need to compress the springs for removal/install of the assembly? How easy will it be to get them out?

Thank you

 
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It seems a bit strange at first, but it really does work well, it's a good standby trick. The bolts you really need to be careful with are those going through a metal collar in a bushing, if the bolts seize to the collar they basically need to be cut out with a hack saw.

Yes, rent a spring compressor; if your in the states autozone has a good rental program, in Canada canadian tire does.

If your referring to physically removing them after all the bolts are removed, it's not to difficult. Re-installing is actually the difficult part, but even that isn't terrible if you take your time and have a second set of hands available.

 
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Thanks for the advice, MB. As you stated, they are seized. Fortunately, I have an impact driver to use which helped tremendously. Using the driver, torch, some PB blaster and wax, I was able to remove the nut on one side. Unfortunately, that's all I could remove as the rest of the bolt is spinning with the bushing. I purchased new bolts, but did not purchase new bushings, until now, after the fact. Thus, the project will be on hold until the bushings come in Tuesday.

I originally thought the entire lower arm and bushing were one and didn't realize I could purchase the bushings separate. The thought of purchasing another lower arm was shivering since I didn't want to spend the money for two of them. After viewing the parts diagram and realizing I could get the bushings separate, I was relieved. When the new bushings arrive, I won't even bother with the impact driver and will simply cut the bolt off with my Metabo and reinstall the new bushings and new bolts.

I have much anti-seize and plan to use it all if necessary during the install.

Thanks again for the advice. It helped me prepare for the task.

 
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FYI: The bushings need to be pressed in. If you don't have a press go to your local mechanic and have him press them. It'll be cheaper than you think and they can usually do it while you wait. Or you can buy a press and do it yourself but, if you haven't used a press before I wouldn't suggest it unless you have extra bushings and arms 'cause it's really easy to screw it up. I've got this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-a...ress-1666.html

 
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Will that require the need to remove the lower arm or can they do it while on the car? But, if they can do it while on the car, I would need to have removed the strut/spring in which I couldn't drive the car to them.

This is starting to give me a major headache.

 
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You need to do it off the car.

This is a pretty common problem unfortunately..

 
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I'm going to try my hand with a portable bearing/bushing press and hope I can do it on the car. It's similar to a C-clamp but with several size dies to fit the bearing/bushing. I have no desire to fight with the other two bolts to remove the lower arm. If the strut bolt is seized, chances are, so are they.