Hi everybody,

Sorry if my issues have been addressed before...
Also, I'm a noob all things related to cars, so please excuse my lack of knowledge.
I've already searched for several hours and have not found the answers I'm looking for...

I've already checked out these threads, which were useful:
https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...d.php?t=187411
https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...d.php?t=133548
https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...ead.php?t=6715

Anyway, I recently got a hand-me-down 97 Accord that already has Bilstein shocks and Eibach Pro-kit springs. Long story short, the Bilsteins have gone bad and I have a set of used Koni Yellow SP3's that I need to install.

My friend and I tried to install the Koni's the other day (without an installation manual), but we ran into a few problems...
First, there are two metal washers (I believe that's what they are called) on top of each strut in the front after everything is put together. When I tried to move those over to the Koni, I realized the hole wasn't big enough on the washers, so I couldn't get those on. Also, there's a yellow-orange squishy thing that didn't have a big enough hole. So, I decided not to try to force anything because I'm pretty clumsy.

I guess my first question is, are there any parts that I need to obtain before I am able to install the shocks? If so, what are they and where might I be able to find them? More specifically, what would I need to move over from my old setup and what modifications would I need to make?

Also, I would like to move the perches into the middle position... in the third thread I listed above, it was suggested that I would need snap ring pliers or a flathead screwdriver to move the perches. How exactly would I go about moving them with each tool? Could I just pull the ends apart with the snap ring pliers?

Attached are a couple of pictures I took.

Thanks in advance for any help, and I look forward to potential responses.

 

Bump.
Anybody please?

 

I have the same shocks on my 99 Accord...and I love them, they are great.

The thicker rod of the Koni's don't allow the use of previous hardware like the washers. That's why the Koni's come with their own hardware to replace the stock hardware with the smaller hole in it.

The "yellow-orange squishy thing" is the bumpstop. That will still work with the koni's...there is enough play in the bumpstop to push it over the Koni rod.

Off the top of my head the Koni's have their own washers like you said, but also their own metal sleeves that go in the stock top mount rubber bushings.

You could probably drill out the washer holes to work with the Koni's, but you couldn't do that with the metal sleeves that go into the stock bushings (again...like the bumpstops, you just push the thicker sleeves in there, it's tight, but it fits).

You might want to see if you can get the hardware separately from Koni. If that's not possible, or you want to do it yourself, I bet you can find some hardware on your own that would work. Might have to cut some piping for the sleeves, etc. (Only do this if you feel confident you can make it work haha...I don't want you to mess up your car).

For the clips that go into the groove...you don't need ring pliers...they woudn't work...there is no hole in the clips. You just need two pairs of pliers (or subsititute one with vise-grips, etc). Just pull them apart slightly and slide up or down.

Hope that helps and if you have any other q's let me know.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the response.
I'll try contacting Koni about getting the hardware I need.

 

Any luck?

 

Umm not yet...
Seems they're closed on the weekend.
I'll update once I'm able to contact them, which should be tomorrow.

 

Sorry, I didn't look at the time of the posts.........h: Good luck. I am curious, because I have the SP3's also, and I haven't attempted to put them on yet.

 

personally. i wouldn't mess with a car if i was willing to call myself "a nood to all things car related"

 

No problem... I gave them a call today and ordered a "complete hardware kit" they say has all the parts needed to mount the shocks. Each kit is good for a pair of shocks, so I ordered two kits. Should be here in a few days, so I'll update once I get it. Also, I asked if they could throw in an installation manual and the operator said that was no problem.


I wouldn't mess with it either... The reason we attempted to install is my friend has some experience with changing shocks and knows his way through the process, so I was there mainly as an assistant. The problem arose when we realized some of the parts weren't a perfect fit.

 

Just curious, how much was each "complete hardware kit?"