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Looking for some suggestions on suspension.

My wife has a 2002 Civic EX with 60k miles. While driving it today, I had to swerve to avoid getting hit, and found out just how mushy the stock suspension is. Not sure if it is just getting old, or was like that all along, but I would like it to be more responsive, ergo safer. I guess my question is, should I add a sway bar, and if so, front and rear? Or, do I go for new shocks/struts?

I saw this kit sway bar kit on Ebay, would this help?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EIBAC...spagenameZWD1V

Is this something I can do to improve stability/ride, or am I just wasting money and just have Struts installed somewhere?

Thanks for your opinions,

mike
mplesh@propmakers.com

 
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i think all the 01-05 EX's came with sway bars. someone correct me if i'm wrong, please. but, going on that assumption, i don't think that upgrading existing sway bars will give you the desired results. if you really want to see the handling improve, you should go with some decent springs and performance shocks. that said, which ones you get depends on your budget and what you're looking to get outta the car. look around the site, in the suspension forum. there's an FAQ, and a whole lot of other info. welcome to the site, btw.

 
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01 Civic LX FSB 25.4mm + RSX RSB 19mm/22mm

 
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Thanks for the reply and the welcome. I was helped here trying to fix her door locks. Good forum!

I was kind of hoping to go the less expensive option, the sway bar, but you are probably right and after all, it's the little woman's car, and I want it safe at all costs. I'll read the FAQ section. I spent some time in the suspension section already, but most strut/shock threads were sport related, and I am looking to stiffen up a daily driver while making it safe(r) for my bride, not race it.

thanks again,

 
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tokico blue shocks/struts, with eibach, or tein springs. will stiffen things up a bit, without turning it into an autocross monster. the ride quality is near stock, with markedly better handling. shocks/springs/camber kit will run you <$800 new.

 
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you may also want to consider a strut tower brace for the front. neuspeed seems to be the most popular, and i'm certainly happy with mine. it did seem to improve the handling slightly, even with the rest of the suspension stock, for now. the neuspeed bar can be had for just over $100 new, and for around $50 used. keep an eye on the FS threads, you'll likely find one in a week or two.

 
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Anti-roll bars and Chassis braces are not going to influence your transitional cornering much if at all. Transitional cornering being when you are swerving around objects, basically any time that you are initiating a turn. Thats where you felt the cars "softness".

To improve that you need to only look at two things. 1. Tires and 2. dampers.

So the cheapest solution that will give you 99% of what you are looking for is to pick up a good set of aftermarket dampers.

I allways recomend Koni 1st, but Tokico makes good dampers too.

 
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Thanks Everyone

I took the advice offered and just ordered a set of Tokico struts and Eibach springs. I am hoping I can put these on myself without too much problem.

thanks again,

mike

 
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look for the diy in suspension faq.

 
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Thanks MarkieMark