Rep Power: 224

Bought the car about three months ago, and every since...the suspension has just been getting worse.

There is absolutely no play in the suspension. if I hit a crack in the road, or a mild pothole...you feel it. In fact, i went over a set of railroad tracks two weeks ago, and made my damn CD player skip. Within the past 2 months, I've blown three tires, and bent a rim.

Sooo, the question is..what should I replace? Will struts need to be replaced? Im trying to keep this on a budget, as I live on my own, pay rent, groceries, student loans, etc.

I'd appreciate any advice. I'd like to take it a bit lower(Currently have 17's) and the car looks like it's on stilts.

Again, i NEED to replace this **** asap...but again, on a budget.

Thanks guys.

 
Rep Power: 256

what year is it and get rid of the 17s there to big i dont think you realise how much bigger tires will absorb impacts.

 
Rep Power: 224

2001 EX.

16's just seem....too small almost lol.

 
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The old geaser here. What do you mean by no play on the supsension? Can you push down on the front or rear of the car enough to get it to spring back upward? If you can do so, does the car slowly spring upwards, or does it bounce wildly upwards? Bouncing wildly upwards would indicate bad struts.

Sincerely-the old geaser.

 
Rep Power: 224

No play as in when I hit a bump, I feel it in my seat, vibrations in the steering wheel, ect.

I parked the car at my moms because Im tired of buying tires for it, so I'll check the next time im at my moms.

Sooo, given the situation...I was once told if I replaced my springs, I should just replace my struts as well? Anyone wanna vouch for that statement?

Thanks dudes.

 
Rep Power: 256

do you live in a cold climate ??? are you 100% positive there stock springs and struts.maybe water got in and froze. what psi do you use in your tires.

 
Rep Power: 224

Yeah, I live in Ohio...but im positive its not water. I kept the car in our garage with a torpedo heater thinking it would eliminate the problem...but it didn't. It's definitely an equipment issue.

 
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Have you done a generic strut test on all wheels? push down on front quarters, step away and count how many times it osculates up and down. any more than 3 and you need a new strut. repeat on all wheels. struts should dampen it out in 1-2 osculations.

 
Rep Power: 811

seems like you need new struts, if the suspension is still stock. but most of the problems are from modifying the rims/tires. if you are bending rims, shocks really wont help you. its the tire's fault for being too thin. my suspension is very stiff with lowering springs and revalved shocks, yet my meaty tires on stock size rims have never been a problem.

 
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I think 17's for that car is 205 40 17, very thin sidewall makes for a bumpy ride, plus if the struts are worn that is another issue. Are you sure they prev owner did not lower the car?

I would replace the struts that should help. I have 16's on my car with stock suspension, rides a little hard but I am used to it.

 
Rep Power: 224

Yeah, honda is sitting at stock height.

Everyone is calling out the struts, so that's what I'll do.

Should I do OEM from say Autozone, Advanced Auto, etc...or is there a brand you'd recommend over them?

Thanks again.

 
Rep Power: 811

just dont get a cheap brand like monroe. tokico hp are good but stiffer than oem.

 
Rep Power: 243

gearbox, how long do the shocks generally last? My car is approaching the sixth year. I think I have to test them a bit. Tokico HP is my target. Do you have any idea?

It would be nice to have a comparison among oem and aftermarket ones using the oem as a reference. Let's me search forum.

 
Rep Power: 811

usually rated shock life is around 50k miles before they start to have problems like leaking or excessive bounce. ofcourse many factors determine this such as bad roads, brand of shock, suspension upgrades, weight, etc. so there is no set time. you will know they are bad if the car bounces more than once going over a bump, or if it feels unstable turning on bumpy road. ive had tokico hp shocks with 1 inch lowering springs and a bunch of other suspension mods like poly bushings and mounts, i drive on very rough roads, and they are still in excellent condition after 3 yrs/30k miles. still have the same firm feel and no sagging or bounce. oem shocks could not keep up at all, they were even bouncy with stock springs. the tokicos are better in every way.

 
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Has someone really huge sat in your car recently?

I'm just asking because someone really fat sat in my car once (had to recline the seat to fit) and the suspension ended up being needed to be replaced all around (under warranty, at the time).


Anyways... no matter what, your suspension isn't going to help the tires or rims. The suspension is after the wheels.. because you've got 17s and itty bitty tires, there isn't a whole lot to absorb anything. Go smaller.. 16s or 15s.. or else you're going to end up paying a lot for rims and tires and more suspension issues.


My suspension is starting to go out again.. thinking of getting something more robust than the stock stuff. Can't lower it (much) because our roads are insanely bad in this city. Car feels like it is leaning/I have to turn wheel more on turns and it feels kind of bouncy on bumps and there are a lot of thuds coming from everywhere.

 
Rep Power: 0

40 series tires are not that thin to cause that kind of problem with blowing out tires, unless its your driving style and you're hitting potholes and etc..( i had 35 series tires on 18's on my 240, never got a flat ), something to remember though with big rims you have drive careful on public roads cause you can bend rims easily, and you will feel every bump in the road. So if you don't like the feel of it, get 15's.

17's unless they are a high quality will be terrible on a civic ride quality and performance. They're plain to heavy of a wheel, thats my opinion.

 
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Just get 215/45/17 tires... problem solved. and you will be keeping the same overall diameter as the stock wheel (if Stock is 195/60/15 like mine)

 
Rep Power: 811

happened in my old car. two fat girls in the back seat and all four shocks were leaking the next day. thats what i get for doing a favor to a friend and hauling them around to the store.

 
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Sorry to hear about your troubles. I agree both with gearbox and brett. Tokico blues are deffinately better than oem. What size tire are you running? Honda told me oem for 01 ex coupe is 185/65-15. You should atleast have 215/45 on 17's. Anything smaller is lesser protection to your rims and you are actually going slower than your speedometer is telling you due to smaller diameter.