How to Lower a 1995 Honda Civic

Replacing the spring on the shock absorber will lower the Civic.

Lowering a 1995 Honda Civic can increase the vehicle's on-road capabilities. The Civic's lower center of gravity provides for easier turns and more control. A lowered vehicle has less wind resistance, making acceleration easier and providing a small increase to overall fuel economy. The stock spring coils in the 1995 Honda Civic provide more space between the body of the vehicle and the axle housing than lower profile after-market springs. Replace the springs with specially designed performance springs to lower a 1995 Honda Civic.

Things You'll Need

• Car jacks, 4
• Tire iron
• Wrench set
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Lift the front or back end of the vehicle safely with frame jacks. Lift the wheels off the ground and remove them.

2. Remove the access cover on the top of the shock absorber to reveal the damper cap.

3. Lift the axle housing with 2 jacks placed near the CV joints. Place them symmetrically on either side of the vehicle. Lift the axle one quarter inch.

4. Remove the damper cap and two nuts on the top of the shock absorber with the appropriate open-faced wrench. The weight of the axle now rests on the axle jacks.

5. 

   The coil spring wraps around the shock absorber and must be separated.

   Lower the axle until the coil over the spring on the shock absorber comes free. Remove the coil spring from its upper and lower seat.

6. Install the new, lower-profile spring into the housing. Raise the axle slowly while guiding the shock absorber and spring back into place.

7. Tighten the lower nut to 14 foot pounds and the upper to 16, with a torque wrench. Make sure the new spring is sitting in its rubber ringed seats firmly. Replace the wheel.

Tips & Warnings

• Lower the axle housing slowly with the installed jacks.

• Honda only uses metric units. Keep that in mind as you size your tools for the job.

• Use extreme caution whenever lifting a car. Place the jacks properly on a flat hard surface.

References

• "Chilton's Honda Civic, CRX and Del Sol 1984-95 Repair Manual"; Jaffer A. Ahmad; 1995

Resources

• Slickcar.com; Honda Civic Lowering Spring Kits