Rep Power: 0

Have read many threads on this and assuming I read them all correctly, that I can put 2003/2005 struts on my 2001 4 door lx civic but will have major mods. One major mod is the strut to spindle bolts are larger. I have 2003 spindles ready to go. So problem solved there. The one major thread didnt go into whether 2003 to 2005 strut mounts and strut spring retainer plates can be used, if it did say then I just missed it. When I pulled the stuff at the wrecking yard, (from a 2003 2 door civic) it looks like the strut upper spring retainers were the same side to side. When I went to install this upper spring hardware, the spring retainer would rub against the strut tower when rotating strut( simulating turning left or right). Did they modify the strut towers in 2003 up? I had assumed 2003 up was a better design and just bought all the 2003 stuff at the wrecking yard. I also may very well have not clocked the spring retainers correctly or the strut towers 2003 up accomodate the updated hardware.
Really hate making another thread on this but dam the local auto parts stores wont sell me what I need and I like the updated stuff....if it can be made to work. Cannot get local stores to sell me the correct updated stuff for 2001. and theres a youtube video out on it called 2001 civic strut mounting kit replacement that I just experienced the parts mismatch last night

 
Rep Power: 221

I would just order new quick struts and not worry about making parts fit.

 
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yes only quick struts have the crappy stiff ride from the springs they use.. Right now car drives, better ride but strut bearings arent happy. so its drive it till I get bearings and top hats to install. Rule #1 broke. Dont buy the first year model put out.
2 people couldnt push down on the front end to check strut responce....spring tooo stiff...now trying to figure out how to probery index the spring top retainer to the spring.....kyb 5701 spring retainer doesnt have any marks on it

 
Rep Power: 221

I use kyb on Hondas. Rides the same as stock

 
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kyb 5701 installed along with kyb 5403 installed. Drivers is quiet. passenger has spring popp. Verified even turning strut installed with tie rod removed. Thought about greasing bearing up good. Maybe spraying silicone spray on top spring rubber with strut nut loosened off the ground. Gotta try something. Binding popping is horrible. Factory service date dont mean crap to me as I have no triangles or arrows to line up. Lower control arms replaces as well. Ride is superb again. All I need to do is have the popping gone

 
Rep Power: 223

Try greasing the top mount.

 
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I have read about the greasing of the top mount. Not sure I understand it. the top mount bolts to the strut tower and doesnt move. Also I used 2003 springs out of a 2 door civic. I figured they were all the same. honda parts online lists a different spring???? Dunno if thats the whole problem.......I can go back to pull a part and swipe 2001 springs if need be. j The top spring retainer is definetely rubbing on the strut tower a bit on the inside between the inner most part of tower and strut spring retainer plate. If I cannot solve this I may go get 2001 springs. Sure as hell not going to reinstall the monroe quick total crap strut springs. 2 of us jumping up and down on front end of car couldnt even make it move!! Cars driveable now because we massaged the strut tower metal inwards twards engine just a hair which got rid of most of the binding rubbing. I do have a feeling as the new strut bearings wear in and settle that the rubbing/binding will increase. Might just be I have to have 2001 springs as well. also have read about people greasing the whole topside of spring retainer top hat

 
Rep Power: 366

got new bearings in the top mount?

 
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yes kyb 5403 mount and bearings. Have also comtemplated shimming the top mount to strut tower like 1/8 inch or less

 
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Went to the wrecking yard today. Took note of 3 2001 honda civics and their springs and also the clocking of the top spring retainer hats. Same as mine. What is different is the 2001 springs have both ends of the spring stopping at the same point. If you look down from the top of the spring at the end of it you can also see the bottom of the spring where it terminates. My 2003 springs are 180 out for top and bottom spring termination points. Whether or not this matters I dont know, but I did shim the strut mount 1/16 downward and I do believe all is good now. The top hat is not rubbing on the strut tower. Also noted at wrecking yard: it was common to see the struts I removed to also have this same rub mark on them. Honda didnt give much at all for clearance between the top hat and inside the strut tower. I was tempted to try 2001 springs just to see if ride was stiffer or not but skipped that.

 
Rep Power: 366

so it worked out now?
Thanks, was not aware of that difference

 
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so far so good. going to just leave it alone unless the strut spring noise ghosts come haunting back. I have no idea who makes the oreileys complete masterpro strut assembly. Almost bought a front barely used set at yard but the previous owner only replaced the passenger side! No idea if I could even get just the drivers masterpro strut.