Honda Civic 2007 4dr LX Front Shocks
- Thread starter Gito
- Start date
- Status
I would go OEM or KYB. I actually did this job on the same gen using the OEM shocks as a complete unit (bearings, bushings, spring, etcetera). I did not get an alignment afterwards and it's been years since with no problems tire wear or handling-wise.
I went OEM to OEM though, if you don't go OEM and the dimensions are off I can see that changing things. I bet it won't make that big of a difference though.
Frankly if I couldn't go OEM I'd go KYB or not do it at all. Don't cheap out either, there are some really [censored] brands out there like Sensen. Google "sensen welds broke" to see what I'm talking about. Don't take a chance on this stuff.
I went OEM to OEM though, if you don't go OEM and the dimensions are off I can see that changing things. I bet it won't make that big of a difference though.
Frankly if I couldn't go OEM I'd go KYB or not do it at all. Don't cheap out either, there are some really [censored] brands out there like Sensen. Google "sensen welds broke" to see what I'm talking about. Don't take a chance on this stuff.
Yeah go KYB, very satisfied with mine. I did have it aligned after.
Just curious how much did it cost for OEM or KYB?
And KYB has a rebate going on right now, not sure if two struts would qualify for the rebate or not. I think two quick/strut plus does qualify for the rebate of $40. I am looking for a pair of quick struts for a 2004 Camry V6. It runs about $125 each on rockauto.
You can buy all the shocks in the world and it won't do you any good. Now, if you were to buy some struts, that would fit your Civic.
And yes, it does matter; there is a huge difference in suspension rigidity, for example. A strut tower brace will improve handling on your Civic; if it had shocks, you wouldn't need one.
And yes, it does matter; there is a huge difference in suspension rigidity, for example. A strut tower brace will improve handling on your Civic; if it had shocks, you wouldn't need one.
Go Bilstein. I had KYB on a Mercedes and I lifted the car and one just blew out spewing shock juice all over. I've been a Bilstein fan since. No more keeps ya bouncing for me.
KYB Strut Plus or Monroe Quick Struts
Also, both companies are running a rebate promo through the end of April.
Monroe's rebate is $75 when you buy two struts and two shocks.
KYB's rebate is $40 for just the two front quick struts, or if you buy all four corners (front struts and rear shocks), the rebate is $60
Also, both companies are running a rebate promo through the end of April.
Monroe's rebate is $75 when you buy two struts and two shocks.
KYB's rebate is $40 for just the two front quick struts, or if you buy all four corners (front struts and rear shocks), the rebate is $60
Everything I looked up before I did the job told me that there were roughly two schools of thought.
One is that you don't need an alignment if the parts are equal since they should fit the same. Especially if you're using going from and to OEM.
The second is that you do need an alignment if the parts are different (like aftermarket).
It's worth noting on our cars they can adjust camber at the knuckle where it bolts to the shock absorbers/struts. They do that using a special set of eccentric camber bolts that replace the normal bolts that go through the knuckle. Honda has a part number for these and does sell them OEM.
As I mentioned above though, I didn't do an alignment and it was perfectly fine for me. The opinion I got on the internets was that most people don't do it. If I did something like tie rod ends or lower control arm I'd get an alignment done, not for struts though. My rationale was that any change would probably be minimal and since I'll eventually have to replace my lower control arm anyway (the compliance bushings have a bit of dry rot/cracking on them), it would be a waste of money to get an alignment done now, then another one later with probably little actual change in alignment in between.
You should just save your money for when alignment work is most needed. It's going to be pretty expensive if you get an alignment every single time you touch something.
Also don't most dealerships do free alignment checks? If you can stomach the dealership, why not just go and get it checked to see if you even need it after you replace them? Then there's no guessing.
One is that you don't need an alignment if the parts are equal since they should fit the same. Especially if you're using going from and to OEM.
The second is that you do need an alignment if the parts are different (like aftermarket).
It's worth noting on our cars they can adjust camber at the knuckle where it bolts to the shock absorbers/struts. They do that using a special set of eccentric camber bolts that replace the normal bolts that go through the knuckle. Honda has a part number for these and does sell them OEM.
As I mentioned above though, I didn't do an alignment and it was perfectly fine for me. The opinion I got on the internets was that most people don't do it. If I did something like tie rod ends or lower control arm I'd get an alignment done, not for struts though. My rationale was that any change would probably be minimal and since I'll eventually have to replace my lower control arm anyway (the compliance bushings have a bit of dry rot/cracking on them), it would be a waste of money to get an alignment done now, then another one later with probably little actual change in alignment in between.
You should just save your money for when alignment work is most needed. It's going to be pretty expensive if you get an alignment every single time you touch something.
Also don't most dealerships do free alignment checks? If you can stomach the dealership, why not just go and get it checked to see if you even need it after you replace them? Then there's no guessing.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Gito
Question:Why is a front alignment needed after replacing the struts?
Is the camber thrown off?
Because when you undo the bottom bolts, it usually throws off the toe a little, and it doesn't always come back to exactly the same position when you install the new strut.
But other than that, the quick struts make replacing them very easy
Question:Why is a front alignment needed after replacing the struts?
Is the camber thrown off?
Because when you undo the bottom bolts, it usually throws off the toe a little, and it doesn't always come back to exactly the same position when you install the new strut.
But other than that, the quick struts make replacing them very easy
- Status
Similar threads
