In this video, young mechanic Aiman will show you, give you ideas and take you through the steps on how to remove the front strut & spring assembly of an 8th Gen Honda Civic. Eighth generation Honda Civic model years are 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011. This process may be similar to other Honda and Acura vehicles such as Accord, Element, Odyssey, Pilot Etc..
This video strictly deals with removal process for the front LH driver side. If you are looking for the removal, installation or replacement for the front RH passenger side or for the rear gas shock absorbers, please refer to the videos below:
1) Front LH Driver Side Strut Assembly Removal: https://youtu.be/NaIvLO--SsE
2) Front LH Driver Side Strut Assembly Installation: https://youtu.be/OGE7hyVdzVY
3) Front RH Passenger Strut Assembly Side Removal: https://youtu.be/26DYplfmT0Q
4) Front RH Passenger Strut Assembly Side Installation: https://youtu.be/5OM-6IV2seY
5) Genuine OEM vs Aftermarket, Online vs Local AutoParts: https://youtu.be/jOhsdMmkcgw
6) Rear LH Driver Side Shock Absorber Removal: https://youtu.be/bGZlmElcPBQ
7) Rear LH Driver Side Shock Absorber Installation: https://youtu.be/dKHJUY4dG4E
8) Rear RH Passenger Side Shock Absorber Removal: https://youtu.be/W3glAXvnYY0
9) Rear RH Passenger Side Shock Absorber Installation: https://youtu.be/ISymWpd54Wk
10) KYB Excel-G vs a 200K Genuine OEM Shock: https://youtu.be/Ay6pAJgXKUc
Shocks and struts are often referred to interchangeably as they perform the same function, however, they differ in suspension system design and in fact are two distinct parts.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHOCKS AND STRUTS: A vehicle will have either a shock or a strut at each wheel, never both. ... Most cars made after 1995 have shock absorbers in the rear and strut assemblies in the front suspension.
The major difference between shocks and struts is that a strut is a structural part of the vehicles suspension system where a shock is not. A strut is also crucial part of the vehicles steering system and greatly affects alignment angles.
What are shocks?
Shock absorbers are a key component of the suspension system. They control the impact and rebound movement of your vehicle’s springs and suspension, they ensure that the vehicle’s tires remain in contact with the road surface at all times, ultimately, they absorb energy. Without shocks, the wheels on the car or truck will actually bounce off of the road surface, and vibrate erratically down rough roads. The key components of the shock absorber are a piston, a coil, and hydraulic fluid.
What is a strut assembly? The strut assembly, an essential part of your car's suspension system, is attached to the front wheels and is used to absorb road shock, providing a smooth ride. Struts are the structural part of the suspension system and they are used on the front end of nearly every front-wheel –drive vehicle. A strut integrates numerous different suspension parts into one compact assembly. The latter include:
The Coil Spring
The Spring Seats
The Shock Absorbers
The Strut Bearing
The Steering Knuckle
The shock absorber portion of the strut is the most commonly serviced part of the strut assembly.
The coil spring can support the weight of the vehicle and adjust to road irregularities like bumps, hills and valleys. Specifically, the struts connect the upper bearing to the lower ball joint so that the entire assembly can pivot when the vehicle is turned in any direction. Struts serve multiple purpose : the internal shock absorber will dampen the movement of the spring as it compresses and rebounds itself while the vehicle is travelling and with its spring it will support the weight of the vehicle while it is moving so that it can adapt to road irregularities In sum, while the shocks simply absorb impact, the struts also function to support and control the vehicle in motion.
When to replace them?
Visual signs such as :
Noticeable fluid leak
Shocks and/or struts look dented or damaged
Tires show unusual wear patterns
Vehicle handling:
If you experience a bumpy or shaky ride, have poor steering response, stiffness or noise when steering or instability when braking.
Mileage:
At 50k miles, they may be worn to the point of needing replacing (depending on vehicle and driving conditions).
In addition, worn shocks and/or struts can accelerate the wear of your tires and suspension parts … the ball joints, steering linkage, springs and C.V. joints.
Thanks for watching, please check our other DIY auto repair tutorial & guide videos on EyeOnAiman's channel. Obviously, Aiman's auto repair videos are mostly designed for entertainment purposes. If you're looking for instructions or steps on how to fix or diagnose problems with your car, SUV, minivan or vehicle repair, you should always watch more than just 1 videos. The videos should always be used only as a guide.
Recording Date: August 2, 2019
Video URL: https://youtu.be/NaIvLO--SsE