Getting my HFP suspension installed, should I put my 17's back on or leave 18's?

[mmm def]

Would it be a problem to align the car with the aftermarket 18's? Honda said put the 17's back on for the install...I don't think it matters.

[SiRyan]

I don't think you'll need an alignment at all bc the HFP suspension is made to work with the stock HFP 18's.

[kenchan]

you will want to put the factory 17's as the techs will need to remove
your wheels for the install. you don't want them accidentally dropping
a socket on your new 18's or scuffing them on the curb when the
porter is pulling it out of the shop.

you can still do alignments using either wheel especially if they are
measuring by degrees...which i believe most machines are these days.

you will want to get an alignment done since the ride will be lower by
about 1" and your toe angles will be off. they can't do camber or caster
adjustments without aftermarket bits. but just getting toe corrected is
a HUGE improvement to remove wandering.

good luck and keep us posted on the install. :)

[popeye]

sorry, thread hijack......can i purchase the HFP suspension package without having honda install? i like to do my own work. save money on labor too.

[eugenekim.net]

Originally Posted by popeye

sorry, thread hijack......can i purchase the HFP suspension package without having honda install? i like to do my own work. save money on labor too.

yes you can.

[mmm def]

Originally Posted by popeye

sorry, thread hijack......can i purchase the HFP suspension package without having honda install? i like to do my own work. save money on labor too.

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/civ...6_exterior.htm

[GeezerSi]

Since Honda is installing their own suspension upgrade, shouldn't any adjustments/alignments be done by them too? Otherwise, to me, the job would not be complete.

[honda93]

Originally Posted by GeezerSi

Since Honda is installing their own suspension upgrade, shouldn't any adjustments/alignments be done by them too? Otherwise, to me, the job would not be complete.

Let this be known about dealerships and alignments... While they do them, they don't put the correct amount of time into them. A good alignment done at a proper shop will take close to 90-120 minutes to perform an "autocross" grade alignment. By this I mean setting the car on the rack, performing a caster sweep, making changes WITH A DRIVER IN THE CAR, and then tseting it for feel, straightness, etc.

If it isn't right (wheel off center, etc), it must be redone so there goes another 90 minutes. A day can quickly go by! Unfortunately, a tech in a dealer has better things to do and will usually test the car to see if it drives straight and doesn't exhibit any bad handling characteristics. If not, the car is finished and he moves onto the next job.

I'm anal about this, not only because I autocross the new Civic but many of the complaints people have made on this board are the result of the new Civic not driving straight or true. This is because it has a very quick ratio steering box and a high caster angle. This level of sportiness in the steering system has never before been built into any Civic (even the Si) and people who are (or were) looking for a mundane commuter are being taken by surprise because the car requires you to pay attention while driving... This is how it should be with all cars imho.

As a result, getting the alignment correct is IMPERATIVE in making the car right.

Buy the kit, and have Honda install it (assuming you can't or don't want to do it yourself) but then find a dedicated shop to do the alignment.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

[popeye]

Originally Posted by mmm def

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/civ...6_exterior.htm

thanks! exactly what I needed to get the other OEM stuff I wanted.