stock struts? 1988 RT4WD

1991 civic wagon · June 2014

I am having a hard time finding some stock struts for a 1988 wagon RT4WD model. I have the rear taken apart now and it seems like a great time to stick some replacements in. The issue is I cannot find any place that sells them.

I am looking for a stock, unscrew/bolt mine, compress the spring, put in new item, reinstall and have the same height part. I do not want to lower it or cause any loss of towing/weight capacity.

Does anyone have any part numbers or suggestions?

truckslammer · June 2014

Here is what Napa has. Not sure if it is on stock wherever you are located. http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Strut-OESpectrum-Rear/_/R-NS_71232SS_0404949975.A

Amazon has these in stock: http://www.amazon.com/KYB-341136-Excel-G-Replacement-Shock/dp/B000C3ZCPI/ref=au_pf_ss_4?ie=UTF8&Make=Honda|59&Model=Civic|752&Year=1988|1988&carId=001&n=15684181&s=automotive
Good luck!

greenteagod · June 2014

They are going to be hard to find from what I've seen. I would think the DA/EF spring strut combo should work. I saw how 90 RT4WD (Cody) had his suspension set up and I went with something similar. H&R springs from a 94-01 integra. And then some Bilstein HD struts for a 1990 Hatchback.

Struts
https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Bilstein&model=Heavy+Duty+%28B6%29+Shock&autoMake=Honda&autoModel=Civic+Hatchback&autoYear=1990&autoModClar=

Springs
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7LMKGC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've not done the front yet, but here's it all sorted out in the rear. Just to see you're not losing any ride height. I actually gained about a quarter inch.

I'm really pleased with it so far. Yeah it's not the same spring/strut setup in the rear but these springs are meant to haul a heavier car, so they're suited to the task. They are well beefier than the stock ones that I took out.

1991 civic wagon · June 2014

Thanks for the replies. The Amazon link says it is not a fit and the Napa link is not working at the moment.

Greentea: I was not trying to put that much into shocks at the moment.

I did find Monroe 71232 that seems to be saying they are a direct stock fit for the RT4WD wagon.

greenteagod · June 2014

Yeah I think from previous research that monroe was the only thing I could find myself. At that price buy one and compare, worst case you can return it. I still have my old struts if you need any measurements.

1991 civic wagon · June 2014

The struts finally came in and look to be a direct match. I reused the covers from the old ones. Do people typically put on the covers?

greenteagod · June 2014

Yeah, even my bilsteins didn't come with covers for the front. Just reuse the old ones. It helps keep grime off the nice polished metal part, so yeah, I wouldn't see any reason to not run them.

Glad there is something still out there that doesn't cost an arm and a leg for those just looking to repair.

1991 civic wagon · July 2014

Hopefully they will be fine. I have not got the car off the stands yet to see if it messed with the height. I still have to put back on the trailing arm, brakes, ect. I started with a stuck wheel cylinder and ended up with getting, cylinders, shoes, bearings, struts, and trailing arm bushings. I figured it would be the simplest time to do after having it parts off. I might end up with a CV joint for one side also.

stock struts? 1988 RT4WD

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