How to Replace the Springs in a Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude was one of Honda's most innovative models; while it not all that attractive, it provided a great ride. Honda introduced many technologies on the Prelude, such as fuel injection. The Prelude suspension featured strut mounted coil springs. Replacement springs should be standard, but as the Prelude is no longer in production, other high quality springs can be used.

Instructions

Replace the Front Springs

1

Lift the Prelude and use jack stands to secure the car before removing the wheels.

2

Take the brake hose clamp off the strut and disconnect the damper fork bolts in order to remove the damper forks.

3

Take off the strut by removing the three mounting nuts.

4

Put the strut into a vise, attach the spring compressor and disassemble the strut to remove the old coil spring. Be careful during this step as the spring holds a lot of energy and can cause injury if not handled properly.

5

Insert the new coil spring into the strut cartridge and reassemble the strut. Remember to tighten the nuts according to manufacturer's specifications.

6

Reinstall the front wheels and lower the Prelude.

7

Tighten the nuts and bolts on the damper forks, the strut mounting nuts and the wheel nuts. Once again, tighten the nuts to the proper level of foot pounds of pressure.

Replace the Rear Springs

8

Raise and support the vehicle before removing the two strut mounting nuts by accessing through the trunk.

9

Separate the upper ball joint and knuckle by removing the cover, cotter pin, nut and installing a 10mm nut onto the ball joint in order to separate the upper ball joint and knuckle with the ball joint removal tool.

10

Use jack stands to support the suspension in order to take off the lower strut mounting bolt and lower the suspension.

11

Put the strut assembly into a vice and install a spring compressor. Be certain to follow the instructions on the compressor as this step can be dangerous if the pressure on the springs is released in an uncontrolled manner.

12

Compress the spring, take apart the strut and remove the coil spring.

13

Replace the spring and reinstall all the removed components. Make sure to use a floor jack to support the suspension when reattaching the strut.

14

Lower the Prelude and tighten the wheel nuts. Perform a final check of the work area to make certain all parts have been installed properly and all tools have been put away.