Thank you, SoCalSC4. This definitely confirms for me that I need to get the SPC arms for the rear. Did you get the cam bolts for the front as well?

I had actually looked at the exact same setup on Tire Rack before posting, so I'm glad to see that you went the same route. I'll probably get the fenders rolled before doing any of this, though. I just got 255/45-19 tires for our van and it will definitely rub if I get it lowered.

 

Nice looking van Joe,
I have an older Ody 2001
Could you point me to the website(s) where you get your "rear" H&R Springs and the Air Lift 1000. I thank you in advance

 

I plan on ordering H&r springs soon. Since I won't be getting a sports sedan anytime soon. Might as well make the mini van handle.

Lol ��

 

Hello Odyclub! im new here and planning to lowereed my 08 Ody with rear bags. I just bought used 07 Struts and rear camber adjustment. Will post pics over the weekend before and after pics!

 

Just FYI... moved onto BC coilovers now.. )

 

joe, tell us more.

Better ride? Is the height adjustability worth it in being able to set the "stance" of the van?

OF

 

Height adjustability is worth it according to the user.

In all honesty, I loved the H&R springs... but the biggest downfall is the lack of performance shocks available to match it.
I've been running OE Honda shocks, bought new just for the H&R springs... and after a few years, they seemed tired (to me).
Not blown, not leaking, but just didnt feel like it was the right setting for the springs.

Later last year, a friend was ordering BC coilovers for his '2016 Odyssey, so I figured, I'll give them a try too.
They have fitments for my '09 Ody, and I was able to choose spring rates, as well as upgrade to SWIFT brand springs.
The shocks themselves are 32-33 way adjustable, and have threaded coil perches... as well as threaded shock bodies, so the shock's static length can be adjusted as well.

I opted to keep my H&R rear spring in there because I wanted to keep the Air Lift helper bag in there.
(I didnt think the Airlift bag would fit in a coilover adjustable setup), plus I am fine w/ the rear spring rate and height.

On the front, I upgraded to the SWIFT spring, and went with 7KG spring rate.
The Coilovers came pre-assembled, and was ready to drop into the front.
Upon installation, I had a bad creaking noise in the steering bearing, so I took it apart again, to find the Yellow steering bearing to be poorly assembled, and the plastic housing was cracked too. The bearing was a ball race type. I didnt like this design, so didnt bother replacing with same type.

For under $30, I got some stainless roller bearings for coilover setups from Amazon. This solved the steering noise, and also makes coil spring height adjustment incredibly easy.

I already tuned the height a few times, and its so simple. As for ride, it feels like a sports car (wierd right?)... tight, but not harsh.
I might dial it down a little to soften it up a little, but so far, im glad to go this route.

I wish there was a "cup kit" style spring/shock combo that was matched for the H&R springs... but this is a fine alternative.

I can crank the front height higher when needed (winter) and just inflate the rear bag some more to level it out, and vice versa.

**On a side note, I believe the holes in the front shocks are a pinch larger, where it attaches to the spindle... meaning you can dial in/out some camber by locking the pinch bolts accordingly. Hoping to Align it this week and play w/ the camber as well.

**Adjusting front shock damping setting is tricky if you down have access to under the cowl trim. I'm still figuring out whats the best, non-intrusive way to do this.

 

joe, thank you for that informative answer! I'm in the mode of shopping for an Ody to replace my venerable Gen 2, and I really want something just incrementally better than the stock suspension solution.

I did the same as you, with H&R springs on my 2003 EX. Terrible roads in my locale made for a ride that was rougher than preferred, and a guy in my workplace who raced late model modifieds told me the only way to address it was to contact an authorized shop for a brand like Koni for a wet sleeve alteration to the stock struts. Less jounce damping, tighter rebound damping was his view on making the slightly stiffer H&R's work well. That means a "cup" car shock setup, exactly like you suggested....and nobody makes a readily available one for our Odys. Has to be a custom setup, hand built.

My current Ody is too old for a coilover investment, but you definitely have me thinking about the next van.

Again, thanks.

OF

 

joe442, how do you adjust the rear ride height on the coilovers? Is it adjusted with the shock or the spring?

The front damper setting is tricky to get to. Surprisingly, my hands/fingers can fit in there and turn the adjuster knob...but I do end up with some scratches. Taking the windshield cowl is not fun either, I hate the stupid clips that hold the cowl on.

 

Maybe I spoke to soon... but adjusting the front shock settings wasn't so bad. I just removed 2 of the circle caps on the windshield cowl... (2 per side) and just stretched my index fingers onto the adjusters (both hands). It was much easier than I had thought. Basically it's a non-issue now, and I think I have found the setting that i like best overall.

As for Camber... I was right... the holes on the front shock struts are larger than OE, so you can actually dial in/out some camber...
I was able to set mine at -1.5*deg on the fronts, and it looks much better now. I have front Toe set to Zero*deg.
Tire wear should also be a non-issue as well.


As for rear height... since I still kept the H&R rear spring in the Ody along w/ the AirRide bag in it... my only height adjustment is to deflate the airbag and get whatever the H&R spring is set to... or inflate it to keep it at that height (no sag) or even raise it a bit for a pinch more ground clearance.
I actually pump the airbag with a bicycle pump.. It seems to be the easiest, and quietest. Takes a few seconds.

That being said, I have a brand new rear BC Coilover spring, and adjustable spring perch that I'll be selling soon (and H&R Front spring as well).

 

I have BC Coilovers on my Audi. Sort of harsh on small bumps, but I am running 14/12 (Front/Rear) kg/mm swift springs. How is the ride over small bumps?

Also, related to adjusting dampening, you can buy flexible extenders which allow you to relocate the shock adjustment.

With mine, I found that I had to reset the preload on the springs after they broke in. Have you adjusted the preload at all or had to reset it?

 

I didnt reset preload... but I adjusted height a few times over a course of month... just to get the right height i wanted. Its about 1 finger space fender/tire gap (old school measurement)

After installying the coilovers, I've been riding on a back up set of 17" wheels for vacation travels... but finally threw the BBS 19"s back on w/ some new Toyo's.
All I can say is wow! The van is FINALLY dialed in~ Feels like a sports car as far as suspension feel and cornering. Got the shock adjustment perfect where its firm, but not harsh, and no more wallowing on fwy fluctuations. Just feels glued to the ground. No extra bounces, etc. I'd say ride is still very much comfortable too.

I can adjust the shocks through 2 of the holes on the front cowl, and for the rear, just raise the back end (in the middle) with one jack... and reach in through the fender to adjust rear damper settings. No extensions needed.

I'm at 7kg front / 10.25kg rear (plus Airlift airbag).

 

Well, I got my H&R Springs for my Ody yesterday.
They are for '05-07, while my Ody is an '09. Thanks to the info from the forums, we know that the '07 front struts will make it work. '08-10 springs are not available yet.

I figured I'll put up some notes from what I see here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Ody: 2009 EX-L Navi/RES

-Ordered '07 EX front struts and all hardware for it
(I dont want to disassemble the original strut).
-Also ordered '09 Touring /Pax rear shocks
This combo should have a better damping than my stock '09 EXL shocks.

-H&R Springs for '05-07

-I'll also be installing AirLift rear airbags too.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I plan to install this weekend, but have noticed a few things:
-H&R quality is very good, and always has been, but their spring's labels were upside-down and left/right were wrong when assembled (fronts). I've lowered hundreds of cars (literally) and most have the printed info right-side up when installed properly. The H&R
springs can only be installed on the proper strut as they are wound opposite from left and right. I'm going to contact them and let them know... if they even care. There's no way to mount the left/right springs the wrong way on the wrong side. They only fit one way, and it's obvious. They should relabel the left/right springs... Anyway, that's just a small detail. Otherwise, they fit well. The rear's are fine.

Can't wait to install them. By having the strut pre-assembled, I'm hoping the install will go smooth and fast.

This is pretty old but I have a question on your left and right note. The R spring goes on the left side of the car, that's what you mean correct?

 

It's 2025 and the springs are still upside down labeled and reversed.