Ultimate Guide to Honda Del Sol Suspension Parts: Upgrades & Replacements

The Honda Del Sol is a lightweight, nimble convertible that benefits greatly from suspension upgrades. Whether you're refreshing worn bushings, lowering for looks, or building a track toy, choosing the right suspension parts is critical for performance and safety. This guide covers everything you need to know about Honda Del Sol suspension parts—from stock system basics to aftermarket upgrades, compatibility, and practical buying advice.

Understanding the Del Sol’s Stock Suspension

The 1993–1997 Honda Del Sol rides on a double-wishbone front suspension and a semi-independent torsion beam rear axle. This setup provides good handling for its time, but 30-year-old components often need replacement. Common wear items include worn shock absorbers, sagging springs, degraded bushings, and tired ball joints.

Front Suspension Components

• Shocks/Struts: Front uses cartridge-style inserts inside the strut housing. Replace with conventional units (KYB, Monroe) or upgrade to adjustable dampers (Koni, Bilstein).
• Springs: Coil springs over the struts. Stock rate is soft; lowering springs (1.0–1.5 inches drop) from Eibach or H&R improve looks and reduce body roll.
• Control Arms: Upper and lower arms with ball joints. Worn control arm bushings cause sloppy steering. Replace with OEM or polyurethane bushings (Energy Suspension).
• Sway Bar: 25mm front bar. Upgrading to a thicker bar (28–30mm) reduces understeer. Aftermarket bars come with stronger end links.

Rear Suspension Components

• Torsion Beam Axle: Integral design – not easily adjustable. Stock trailing arm bushings wear out, leading to vague rear feel. Replace with polyurethane trailing arm bushings.
• Shock Absorbers: Rear shocks are separate from springs. Standard shocks are non-adjustable; aftermarket options (KYB AGX, Koni Yellow) allow damping adjustment.
• Rear Springs: Often sagged. Upgrade to progressive or lowering springs (1.0–1.5” drop). Compatible with Civic EG wagon springs for slight variation.
• Sway Bar: Most Del Sols have a 13–15mm rear bar. A thicker bar (19–22mm) reduces oversteer; adjustable end links fine-tune balance.

Upgrading vs. Replacing: What’s Right for You?

Daily Driver / Commuter

If you just want a comfortable ride without modifications, replace worn shocks with OEM-quality KYB Excel-G or Monroe units, install fresh OEM springs, and replace all rubber bushings with standard (not poly) replacements for longevity and quiet.

Enthusiast / Street Performance

A popular spring/shock combo (e.g., Eibach Pro-Kit springs + Koni Orange dampers) lowers the car 1.2 inches, sharpens steering response, and maintains ride quality for daily use. Add a thicker front sway bar for flatter cornering.

Track / Autocross

For serious performance, consider full coilover kits from Tein, BC Racing, or KW. These offer adjustable ride height, damping, and spring preload. Pair with a front upper strut tower bar and high-durometer bushings (Energy Suspension master bushing kit). A rear sway bar upgrade is essential to dial out understeer.

Key Suspension Parts for the Honda Del Sol

Coilovers

Full coilovers replace the entire strut/spring assembly with adjustable dampers and threaded spring perches. Top choices:

• Tein Street Advance Z: Price-to-performance leader, 32-level adjustable damping, pillowball upper mounts.
• BC Racing BR Series: Budget-friendly, 30-click damping adjustment, 6k/5k springs, stainless steel components.
• Skunk2 Pro-S II: Higher spring rates (8k/6k) for aggressive cornering, monotube dampers, camber adjustment.

Shocks and Struts

If you stick with stock springs, pair them with quality shocks:

• KYB AGX (Front): Adjustable firmness for daily and track use.
• Koni Yellow: Sportier option with rebound adjustment; often paired with lowering springs.
• Bilstein B6: Heavy-duty gas pressure, exceptional durability, non-adjustable but firm.

Springs

• Lowering Springs: Eibach Pro-Kit (1.2” drop), H&R Sport (1.5” drop). Good for mild drop and improved handling.
• Stock Height Springs: Only recommended for full OEM restoration – purchase from Honda or Moog.
• Custom Rate Springs: Available from Hyperco or Swift – target 300-600 lb/in for front, 200-400 lb/in for rear.

Sway Bars

• Front: Progress Technology and Suspension Techniques sell 28–30mm hollow bars. Requires bushing bracket reinforcement for large bars.
• Rear: A 19–22mm bar is ideal. Note that the rear bar links to the control arms; aftermarket sway bars include brackets and end links.

Bushings and Ball Joints

• Front Control Arm Bushings: Worn inner bushings cause alignment issues. Replace with OEM or Energy Suspension black poly.
• Rear Trailing Arm Bushings: Major source of rear vagueness. Energy Suspension poly bushings restore crispness.
• Ball Joints: Moog is reliable; OEM Honda is best for longevity. Always replace in pairs.

Steering Components

• Tie Rod Ends: Outer tie rods wear. Replace with OEM or Moog. Inner rack ends rarely fail but check play.
• Steering Rack Bushings: Soft rubber bushings cause steering slop. Polyurethane replacement (LEDA or Energy) sharpens response.

Compatibility Notes

The Del Sol shares many suspension parts with the 1992–1995 Civic EG coupe/hatchback, but there are key differences:

• Front: Upper control arms are Del Sol-specific due to different mounting points. Lower arms are same as Civic EG.
• Rear: The torsion beam axle is unique to Del Sol and Civic 2-door hatch; EG sedan/4-door use a different rear setup. Aftermarket coilovers for Civic EG hatch often fit Del Sol, but confirm shock length.
• Rear Sway Bar: Civic EG hatchback sway bars may require modified brackets. Many Del Sol owners adapt 1994–2001 Integra rear sway bars (22mm) with custom hardware.
• Springs: Rear springs interchange with Civic EG wagon, which has a slightly different rate. Verify part numbers.
• Strut Tower Bars: Front strut tower bars for Civic EG fit Del Sol. Rear is not applicable due to torsion beam.

Always check with the manufacturer or a reputable enthusiast forum before buying parts labeled as “Civic EG.”

Practical Buying Tips

• Set a budget: A basic refresh (shocks + springs + bushings) costs $600–$1,000. Coilovers range from $700 (Tein) to $2,000+ (KW).
• Buy brand-name parts: Avoid cheap no-name coilovers; they fail quickly. Stick with KYB, Koni, Eibach, Tein, BC Racing, or Skunk2.
• Consider full kits: Many companies (Energy Suspension, Moog) sell master bushing sets – saves money.
• Don’t forget hardware: Replace strut mounts, bump stops, and dust boots. Grade 10.9 bolts are essential for coilover lower mounts.
• Alignment is mandatory: After any suspension work, get a professional alignment. Expect to pay $80–$150.
• Lift or spring compressor: If DIY, rent a spring compressor or use coilovers that come pre-assembled.

Final Recommendation

For most Del Sol owners, the best suspension setup balances cost, comfort, and performance. Start by replacing all worn rubber bushings and ball joints (Energy Suspension or Moog). Add a set of Koni Yellow shocks and Eibach Pro-Kit springs – this combo transforms handling without breaking the bank. Install a 28mm front sway bar and a 19mm rear sway bar to reduce body roll. For track enthusiasts, invest in a BC Racing coilover kit and polyurethane bushings. Never skip an alignment after any suspension work. Keep your Del Sol planted and predictable with these quality parts – your driving experience will thank you.