What are all do I need to replace my struts?

[Bad_dude]

The car is 90 Accord LX 4 door Auto. I am going to need new struts on all 4. The springs seem to be in good condition. However, how do I know if I need new springs? I have never carry any thing really heavy in the trunk. I had 3 passengers in the car before. I would say about 500 lbs or so. The car didn't bottom out, but then again I am always slow and careful with bumps. I would like to know what are all I need other than the struts? I would like keep the stock height and not lower it as once in while my wife would drive it and I know her, if it's lowered, she will destroy every thing below the car. I am consider new springs. What about the strut mounts, it's a piece of metal so do I need to replace them? What are the bushings that I would need for the upper and lower part of the struts. I would like advice on brands and approximate cost. I think I can do this myself.
Any one heard of the brand Sensen that RockAuto sells? I found a full set of Sensen with lifetime warranty for $120 and $185 with all of the mounts and bushings. I saw a set of 4 KYB on Ebay new for $160 on OverstockAuto.
http://apxautoparts.com/apx/shocks-s...-full-set.html
http://apxautoparts.com/apx/shocks-s...k-bushing.html
Here are some reviews:
http://apxautoparts.com/sensen-shock...struts-reviews
I would like to start saving for it now.
Thanks.

[8ball]

I bought tokico hp and its good for dd and an upgrade. lifetime warranty. it's hella cheap. if I could do it again id probably choose kyb gr2 and bg suspension. only if it is cheaper than 365$ I haven't looked in a while. my car when I had it was about practicality and function. why pay over a grand for something when you don't personally track the car. without being an ass I make that statement. but some peoples budgets are larger than mine so they have different views

[Bad_dude]

I bought tokico hp and its good for dd and an upgrade. lifetime warranty. it's hella cheap. if I could do it again id probably choose kyb gr2 and bg suspension. only if it is cheaper than 365$ I haven't looked in a while. my car when I had it was about practicality and function. why pay over a grand for something when you don't personally track the car. without being an ass I make that statement. but some peoples budgets are larger than mine so they have different views

The Sensen brand has lifetime warranty. How much did you paid for your Tokico set? Where did you buy them?

Thanks.

[deevergote]

With stock springs, Tokico HP and KYB GR2 are both good replacement shocks... in fact, both are mild upgrades. Neither are meant to be lowered, so if you're looking to lower the car, you'll want better... but stock springs, they're good. I prefer KYB myself, but it's a rather unfounded bias.
Koni STR.T is an even better option (and will take a drop better, if you plan to do that in the future.)

[SOHC-FTW]

I've read good things about sensen's for replacements or mild drops. From what i've read they're equivalents to the gr2's or slighty better. Rock auto sells them aswell as ebay and ofcourse APX/Sensen. I might try them with my eibachs STR-Ts up front and sensen's for the rear.

Just going off reviews and don't see much if any bad talk them.

[Sock'sCb7]

Well if your going to do it your self you'll need a spring compressor I think you can rent them from a auto parts store

[Gotz Cb7]

Doing the struts isn't too hard of a job. Like posted above, you'll need a spring compressor. Your only problem may be getting those old old rusted bolts off. Had to cut my rear passenger lower strut bolt. Just went and bought a new one. Was a pretty easy job, took a few hours. May help to ask a buddy to come give you a hand.

[Bad_dude]

Well if your going to do it your self you'll need a spring compressor I think you can rent them from a auto parts store

I found these at HFT http://www.harborfreight.com/macpher...-set-3980.html
The price has gone up. I remember it was $7.99. How safe are these to use?

[deevergote]

That's pretty cheap... though you can borrow them for free from almost any major autoparts store, such as Autozone.

In general they're pretty safe, as long as you use them properly. I've heard horror stories of them slipping off, but in my experience (with the ones I've borrowed from Autozone) you'd REALLY have to put them on carelessly to have that happen. Once they're locked on the coil, it's damn hard to get it off!

[Bad_dude]

What about the bushings and other rubber rings that I might want to replace? Any brand is good?
Thanks.

[Accord problems]

That's pretty cheap... though you can borrow them for free from almost any major autoparts store, such as Autozone.

In general they're pretty safe, as long as you use them properly. I've heard horror stories of them slipping off, but in my experience (with the ones I've borrowed from Autozone) you'd REALLY have to put them on carelessly to have that happen. Once they're locked on the coil, it's damn hard to get it off!

here's a couple

http://youtu.be/Ce5c6eUPW4s

http://youtu.be/CYFOI_UsVxI

so please be careful .

[deevergote]

What about the bushings and other rubber rings that I might want to replace? Any brand is good?
Thanks.

OEM is best, always. If you want to upgrade, polurethane bushings from Prothane or Energy Suspension are good (though it will stiffen things, and increase vibration.)
Otherwise, you may or may not get lucky with other aftermarket replacements.

[Bad_dude]

Thanks guys. It would be a few more months before I get to these. Hopefully I'll get a good deal. Also to wait to see how every one think about the Sensen brand.

I need to replace my O2 sensor as gas prices are climbing fast but I am still only get 24mpg. I can't get the bloody heat shield off. Looking from the front of the engine, it stuck to the upper right corner and the metal piece to the left of the alternator. I don't want to force it and brake the old O2 sensor on the bottom. I also need to replace rear brake shoes.

[Accord problems]

Thanks guys. It would be a few more months before I get to these. Hopefully I'll get a good deal. Also to wait to see how every one think about the Sensen brand.

I need to replace my O2 sensor as gas prices are climbing fast but I am still only get 24mpg. I can't get the bloody heat shield off. Looking from the front of the engine, it stuck to the upper right corner and the metal piece to the left of the alternator. I don't want to force it and brake the old O2 sensor on the bottom. I also need to replace rear brake shoes.

only brand of o2 sensor that i know that works with our cars is ngk/ntk . and some penetrating oil may help or heat from a torch to brake loose the o2 sensor.

[Bad_dude]

only brand of o2 sensor that i know that works with our cars is ngk/ntk . and some penetrating oil may help or heat from a torch to brake loose the o2 sensor.

I thought it was denso or NTK.
According to Honda:
-Part 36531-PT3-A02 is NTK
-Part 36531-PT3-A12 is Denso
Thanks.