Blown struts?

[jongp3]

I jacked up my car today to take a look at a leak that I noticed the other day. I changed nothing simply Jacked it up and put it back down. After leaving the shop I notice my car was very very bouncy. I was on a dirt road so I figured maybe it was in my head. But I pull off the dirt road and notice my handling is shit. The car just kind floats along. I drove about 5 miles to a friends house we notice the car is sitting very very low in the front, but after about 5 minutes of parking it raised back up to normal height :?: I look all under the car, everything is dry and looks fine.
My only guess is the struts blew. I only lifted the front of the car, but I've done this many times and have never blew a strut from just jacking the car up.
So I made it back home the car is very scary to drive, handles like shit, pulls all over the place. High speeds feel like im floating. Car is slammed in the front right now, I look like a Mexican Ricer, its gross, Im driving it straight to the mechanic Monday.
Are my struts blown? I did the standard test by pushing down on the car and its very very stiff, and stays down it doesn't rebound up. The rear is fine. Could the strut really be holding the spring compressed? Or does the strut really hold that much weight? My understanding is the strut doesn't hold any of the weight of the car its all in the spring?

I guess I'm going to end up lowering the car after all. I don't plan to keep this car for to long so I don't want to spend much.

On another note I put some Brian Crower Cams in today, Only got to drive it for about 10 miles before this problem happened.
Felt a very noticeable difference after 5k pulls to the rev limiter very easily. Idle's like stock tho.

[white_2kgt]

A blown strut won't 'lower' the car, that's what springs do. Is there any oil or anything leaking out of the strut? The bouncing is an indication of a shock problem though.

[.RJ]

A blown strut won't 'lower' the car

Unless the shock was gas charged, and then... lost its gas charge.

[jongp3]

Struts look dry, problem is still there I can barely drive the car.

I bought some KYB GR-2s from advance just to get the car running again.

So the car only stays low for 2 or 3 minutes and the raises back to normal height.

[D_Eclipse9916]

If its staying low then ccoming back up it definitely sounds like a shock problem, if your installing cams why are you taking shocks to a mechanic? Pull em off real quickly and push down on them, if they are pretty easy you have it fixed, if not check all the mounts with them off the car. Takes an hour and you know for sure what the problem is.

[jongp3]

I'd rather not sit in the baking parking lot pulling my struts. Granted its easy to get the strut assembly out. There is no way I'm decompressing the spring off of the strut. Even with the tools from autozone, I don't feel real safe doing it without air tools.
Besides I only have time to work on my car on weekends. I'd rather pay someone 45 bucks a corner and have it done before then.
KYBs should be in soon, hope this fixes it...

[jongp3]

Boo Mechanic is backed up..
anyone have any suggestions?
If I can get the struts and springs together I can do this myself. Anyone have some stock teg or civic Strut Assemblies laying around?
Or can any recommend me a mechanic that won't charge me to much and knows what they are doing? I usually see Dean over at Wrenchcraft but he is backed up till Next week.

[.RJ]

Call up Neil Maddox...

If you want to do it yourself its easy to take the springs off - just need a $20 autozone spring compressor.

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[ViPER1313]

Just get some Autozone spring compressors and get-er-done... I see no reason for air tools, just don't uncompress the springs towards your face once they are off the strut :wink:

[jongp3]

welp, looks like im going to attempt this myself. gonna try and get a few hours in to work on it before I goto work in the mornings.

luckly work isn't far

[NTIman]

I'd be willing to put take your assemblies apart and put the new struts in, but I'm in Winchester

[D_Eclipse9916]

If you wait a week a bunch of us are gonna be down there and can easily help you do it.

I have a spring compressor and all the tools you need to do it. Done tons of jobs on those cars for suspension, and all manage to be a pain in the ass with the LCAs. Have you taken a look at them? Hell, as soon as Ryan Thayer gets down to the apt on the 15th I beleive, you can borrow my spring compressor down there.

[ScottyB]

good luck. don't be like me and unbolt the top middle nut, thus releasing the entire assembly and then trying to compress a spring that's 2 feet long and won't come out without taking the hub off. 3 days later....

[.RJ]

Scotty, post the pic....

[ScottyB]

worst shadetree wrench session in MM history:



thanks Jay :lol: haha i bet it's still out in that field next to sunchase.

[jongp3]

If you wait a week a bunch of us are gonna be down there and can easily help you do it.

I have a spring compressor and all the tools you need to do it. Done tons of jobs on those cars for suspension, and all manage to be a pain in the ass with the LCAs. Have you taken a look at them? Hell, as soon as Ryan Thayer gets down to the apt on the 15th I beleive, you can borrow my spring compressor down there.

Yeah I've done lots of suspension work, most of my experience comes from working in a shop with nice tools and a 4 post lift. With someone who actually knows what they are doing.
I'd imagine this job as doable on the ground, but more of a PITA. I'm going to hold off till the weekend to do it. Mostly so my car isn't on jack stands all week in Pheasant Run parking lot on a hill.
Speaking of Jack Stands anyone have 2 I can borrow this weekend? I'll take you up on that spring compressor tool and Peter I'll return those torque wrenches to you once my car is back up if you need them sooner I can arrange a ride to drop them off to you.

[jongp3]

I'm going to try and tackle this tomorrow, If anyone wants to stop by and lend a hand or words of encouragement feel free too, I'll buy dinner/lunch at El Charro's when its all done, also got a few Corona's in the frig. I'm in Pheasant Run 496 just look for the Acura on a jack.

Ryan or DJ if one of you reads this, please call me I do need to borrow that spring compressor. Probably a 5mm Allen wrench as well, could use a jack stand for safety. 210-8three three-7503

Plan to start around 10 if I have all the tools.

[Andy]

I'm going to try and tackle this tomorrow, If anyone wants to stop by and lend a hand or words of encouragement feel free too, I'll buy dinner/lunch at El Charro's when its all done, also got a few Corona's in the frig. I'm in Pheasant Run 496 just look for the Acura on a jack.

Ryan or DJ if one of you reads this, please call me I do need to borrow that spring compressor. Probably a 5mm Allen wrench as well, could use a jack stand for safety. 210-8three three-7503

Plan to start around 10 if I have all the tools.

Autozone lends out the spring compressor or you could buy a set for 20 bucks.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Call ryan thayer, I wont be in town till late.

[jongp3]

someone PM me ryan's number... also the spring compressor from autozone doesn't work on honda's otherwise i'd use it.