WRENCHIN' WITH TRAV - CD5 Accord Koni Red Shock Install.
Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself, nor OzHonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!
Aim: To install Koni Special(Red) Shocks on a CD5 Accord.
Time: 2 to 4hrs
Required:
- Car jack
- Jack Stands
- 12mm socket, spanner etc
- 14mm socket, spanner etc
- 17mm socket, spanner etc
- 19mm socket, spanner etc
- Metric Allen keys
- Grease
- Breaker Bar
- Good old rap CD
- Helper mate
- Pumas
Info: OK some of you and prolly wondering why we installed these shocks in favour of Koni Sports(aka yellows) Well I looked round for ages and also even ordered the wrong shocks before i found out that Koni Yellows for this acord are no more! They are no longer being imported form Holland!! and with limited options we decided to go the next best thing, Koni Reds. There r pretty much the same shock except they are not damper adjustanle, they stil have the adjustable spring perch, and of coarse superior build quality. They fitted and worked out allot better than i anticipated. so sorry accord owners, good luck finding Koni yellows for 89-98 accords locally.
This particular accord was already fitted with some custom 3" Lower KMAC springs(fitted by me), a lil ghetto but did the job. Rear bump stops were basically powder so we will rip it all apart soon to do those again.
Test Mule:
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...010021%7E8.JPG
Step 1: Get out ur sexy set of Konis and kit them out with the bits and pieces that come with it. Instructions r provided so just follow em and then all u need is the stock bits ur reuse and they can go in.
As usual you have to jack of the front of the car and remove the wheels. Please not that the accord is a ****ing whale and needs higher weight rating jack and stands, my lil kit was not enough to do it. Also be very careful when jacking it up, i dropped this car on myself 3 times during this install so becareful, shit will always happen.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...0001/1%7E0.JPG
Step 2: OK with the front up its time to take the stock setup out. This pic points out bolt location and size.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...0001/2%7E0.JPG
First ones to undo, 2 x 12mm bolts that hold the brake lines on to the shock. Loosen and remove.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...0001/3%7E0.JPG
Step 3: Ok more easy stuff, loose and remove the 14mm bolt thet holds the wishbone to the shock.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...rmal_4%7E0.JPG
Step 4: Now loosen and remove the 17mm bolt and nut at the bottom of the wishbone, this will prolly be tight; end the breaker bar. With this out the wishbone should be free enough to pull off the shock. Pull it down from the shock and leave it just resting there on the drive shaft, u dont need to take it out.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...rmal_5%7E0.JPG
Step 5: Wow almost done, now all thats left to do it remove the 3 24mm bolts holding the top hat in. If u havent done so, pop ur bonnet and undo these. You will need to hold the shock assembly because with these nuts out the shock assembly will fall.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...rmal_6%7E0.JPG
Step 6: Now manouvere the assembly out. Time to swap the old stock bits onto the new Koni Red. Bits ull need to reuse are bump stops, shock covers etc. Itll be clear when ur there doin it.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...0001/7%7E0.JPG
Now to dissassemble the assembly put the allen key in the top off the stock shock and undo with the assistance of a 12mm spanner just like in the pic.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...rmal_8%7E0.JPG
Swap all the parts over and should look SIMILAR to the pic. (fixed upside perch before install :p )
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...0001/9%7E0.JPG
Step 7: Now reinstall in reverse of removal, please make sure the shock is lined up on the wishbone. Youll know what i mean when u see it. You cant really put it back together wrong. Also if u have time(if u dont, make time) grease all nuts and bolts with some grease when reinstalling, itll save so much time and stress when ever working on suspesion again, trust me. ;) Now do the other side the same and drop it to the ground. Also note: there r LEFT and RIGHT shocks so make sure u have the right ones.
Step 8: Ok now jack the rear(safely) and remove wheels. There is less to undo in the back but its not any easier.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...mal_10%7E0.JPG
Step 9: First loosen and remove the 17mm bolt in the bottom of the shock link. It will prolly be hella tight so beware.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...mal_11%7E1.JPG
Step 10: Now under the 3 x 14mm nuts on the shock towers. Youll have to pull back a lil bit of interior trim. Yes im serious, i hate workin on accords, id rather work on a Fiat :thumbdwn:
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...mal_12%7E1.JPG
Step 11: With the assembly rather loose and free u have to do the hardest part of the install, REMOVE the assembly. Trust me its harder than it looks. Such a KUNT!!! Wrestle and swear and do whatever it take to get the lot out, sometimes it could be easier loosing handbrake cable mount etc.
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal...mal_13%7E0.JPG
Step 12: Now repeat Step 6 and swap parts over to new shocks. Then reinstall with grease! Note: Puma :thumbsup:
http://undergroundimports.com.au/gal.../normal_14.JPG
Step 13: Now do the same on the other side and you all done! Well done! Drop it back to the ground and take it easy while u accustom urself to driving an accord that handles well :p The owner of this accord was more than happy with these and as a passenger it feels way better, NO bouncing bullshit sussy!! :thumbsup: Now would be a good time to get a wheel alignment if u needed one.
btw KONI is the **** :thumbsup:
thanks for looking. :thumbsup: Feel free to leave comments questions or rep :D
Trav.
