Tein Coilover Question - Ride Height
 

I just installed Tein SS coilovers on my FD. The coilovers came with 12k/10k F/R springs - too stiff for me - so I ordered additional 8k/6k springs. I installed the coilovers with the 8k/6k springs F/R and went about setting my ride height at 25" at the fender lip. The fronts adjusted without a problem but, due to the short height of the 6k springs, I have the locking collars at the top of the coilover threads and my ride height is 24.25" - too low and I'm out of adjustment range.

Anyone else experience this problem?

I'm thinking a cylindrical spacer could be placed between the locking collars and the bottom of the spring to regain some adjustment range, effectively moving the locking collars back down on the threaded shock body. Does this sound like a viable option? Does anyone make spacers for this purpose? Or am I looking at having some custom ones made?

Are these regular 2.5" diameter racing springs? What is the fee length of the spring? Is it the same as the 10k that you replaced it with?

Almost sounds like they sent you the wrong spring.

They probably sent you one the same length as the 10k spring and didn't account for the extra sag due to the rate difference. The "stock" springs are probably on the shorter side anyway since all the drifters like their cars ridiculously low and would bitch if they had to change springs to achieve it.

They are Tein tapered springs, they fit the stock upper mounts - which I also replaced F/R with new Mazda parts. The free lengths of the springs are as follows:

I have the free length measurements at home, I'll try to post them tonight.

So what are the thoughts on cylindrical sleeves?

Free lengths:

12k = 6-7/8"
10k = 7-3/4"
8k = 6-7/8"
6k = 6-7/8"

The longer 10k springs were the ones shipped with the rear shocks but Tein's website does not differentiate between F/R when ordering springs.

I think I am going to have a shop make up a couple of 2" spacers.

I have the same setup. Did you swap some of the parts from the OEM setup or did you order new parts? I purchased new strut top mounts to avoid breaking down the OEM setup but the hole is to big for the TEINs. I'm thinking I need to order the bushing that sits on top of the mount.

phinsn98, PM'd you

Believe RSR and Tein are an interconnected company, anyhow, there's two tapered spring lengths available in the same rate I've found, 180mm and 200mm in the 8k range at least...both test somewhat under the manufacturers claim, but close enough.

Installation here has a non-zero rate spring...probably helper rather than tender spring in their terminology...probably 25mm when collapsed with spacers included.
With the collar idea, only thing to watch out for would be coilbind I'd imagine.

What did you end up doing with this?

I'm encountering the same problem, when I switched from 12k/10k to 8k/6k springs. Please let me know if anyone has found a solution.

Will helper springs solve this problem?

I sent the 6k springs back and ordered longer 6k springs. That was a month ago and Group 5 Motorsports keeps giving me excuses for the delays. Meanwhile I had to put the original rear shocks/springs back on until they new springs arrive.

Are the longer 6k springs Tein? Do you have the part number?

Yes, Tein spring # SH060-01200. That's a 6k spring rate, free length 200 mm. I have not yet installed them.

I'm gonna vent here:

I ordered the original (175 mm) springs from Group 5 Motorsport in San Diego. Got the springs promptly. No problem.

After encountering the rear spring length problem I contacted Troy, owner of G5M, to discuss exchanging the ST060-01175 springs for the longer SH060-01200 springs. At that time he was very helpful, he called Tein and then called me back, stating if the springs were pristine and the original Tein box was undamaged and unmarked, they would take them back without a restocking fee. All I had to pay for was shipping. Sounds like a deal to me. I pack the springs in the original box, bubble-wrap that box inside another, and shipped them insured via FedEx.

That was five weeks ago.

Delivery confirmation showed G5M got the springs on 6/10. On 6/15 I called G5M to see when I could expect the replacement springs. The person I spoke to (not Troy) had no clue what I was talking about. Said he would ask around and call me back. He didn't.

Called G5M on 6/16 and spoke to another person. He remembered seeing the springs arrive, said he would call me back with the details. He didn't.

Called G5M again on 6/18, they didn't know the status, they'll call me back. They didn't.

Called again on 6/22 (see above).

Called again on 6/24 (see above).

Called again on 6/26 (see above).

Called again on 6/30. After getting the run around again I demanded to speak to the owner Troy. He gives me some story about Tein dropping the ball. Funny, no one mentioned that before...

Called again on 7/6. Troy tells me "our computers were hacked" but the springs had been shipped, I get a UPS tracking #. No mention of any charges outside our original conversation.

7/7 the new springs arrive. Guess what? G5 charged me a restock fee. I have been on the phone with G5 no less than five times this week trying to get this restocking fee refunded, all I am getting are excuses. Troy confirms the springs and box were pristine and met Tein's requirements to waive the restocking fee. However, Tein charged them so they charged me. They say it's between me and Tein, not them. I say BS. I finally told Troy he (G5M) should stand by his word and deal with the supplier but, since they won't, I am going to challenge the entire shipping + restock charge on my credit card and it would end up costing G5M a lot more than simply refunding the restock fee to get the payment un-challenged.

Next time I will take my business elsewhere. Caveat Emptor.

wow. sorry to hear that man.

G5M just lost my business

What he said. If you reduce the spring rate you should effectively increase the length of the spring. YOU NEED TO REMEMBER TO ACCOUNT FOR COIL BIND. You should always get a longer spring if it is a lesser spring rate.

i.e. A 2500lb car will compress a 8kg/mm spring a lot more than a 12kg/mm spring. It's pretty easy to interpolate the math.

Sadly the Tein SS OEM U/M uses a taper spring so you can't purchase a straight Swift spring that has more stroke per length compared to most other brands.

Thanks,
Rishie

Also contacted Tein recently about these springs and they are special order so please expect a couple month wait.

The part #'s below are for longer springs up front as noted above.

ST080-01200 - $160.00/pair
SJ060-01200 - $160.00/pair

Rishie