Suspension Install Part 2: Removal

With the pre-inspection out of the way, it was time to remove our worn out OEM shocks and springs. Below is the list of tools used and the steps we took.

Sockets
12mm: brake line brackets
14mm: top hat strut bolt and bottom fork bolt 
17mm: control arm bolt
19mm: lugnuts

Wrenches
17mm: control arm
10mm: brake lines

Allen Keys
5mm: To remove tophat

Other
A spring compressor is also required.

For the front struts, there are two 14mm nuts at the top of each shock tower, a 14mm bolt holding the strut to the fork, and a bolt at the bottom of each control arm.

For the rear struts, again, two 14mm nuts at the top of each shock tower and a bolt at the bottom of each control arm. 

Removal is pretty simple and straightforward. Time to separate the springs from the struts.

The Koni STR.T Suspension Kit requires the use of the factory top hats. To do the job correctly, a spring compressor is needed. Luckily for us, a Honda mechanic friend of ours loaned us his Honda-specific spring compressor. 

Here's a short video of it in action =)

Most universal spring compressors requires two ratchets so having this tool at our disposal saved us a bunch of time. Access to some air tools would have made things even quicker.

Next, you'll need a hammer and a prybar or screwdriver to knock off the brake line brackets on the OEM struts. This entire process was actually a huge pain in the ass and deserves its own post. More to come soon.