Rebuildable Coil-overs

LostSoulMiata · 02-15-2008, 12:34 PM

Who makes them? I'm looking for a new suspension setup. Ultimately, I'd love to have some of the better known systems, but I'm unsure if they are in fact rebuildable/servicable. I've searched before I posted this topic and only came back with 4 resuts, all were budget Koni's w/ GC sleeves. I'm not ruling that out, but how well/often can Koni's be rebuilt? What is their limitations as well? Now, when I ask if they can be rebuilt/serviced, I'm talking say a seal blows and oil leaks out. Can I buy just the seal that's blown as well as any other seal that fluid may have gotten by, put it all back together, refill with oil, and repressurize w/ Nitro, or will my only option have to be to completely replace the entire shock (damper) or coil-over?

Examples of dampers/shocks/coil-overs are:
Ohlins, Tanabe, Cusco, Bilstein, Stance, JIC Majic, 949 racing, Megan, etc.

please help a feller out

Marty · 02-15-2008, 12:47 PM

You can't service Koni's by yourself. AFIAK, you can't do it with any shock. Koni's are great shocks, you won't blow them as easily as you think.

peteberta · 02-15-2008, 01:10 PM

And the only real limitation of the Koni yellow in a coil over configuration is the lack of adjustable shock length. As you lower the spring perch to get the car lower you lose useable bump travel. But, you can get Koni's shortened at around $71 per shock. Add to the price of the rebuild $125 plus parts

The only problems I have seen with yellows are SA's that have been converted to DA's. A very small percentage will develop leaks when not done by Koni. ProParts for example did some shocks for a friend of mines MRSpyder and he had a hell of a time with them. But the two time DStock national champion has been driving around on Koni converted DA's for a few years now with no problems.

I've also seen a set of Penske's go back to the builder 3 times in one season for leaks. So money spent is no example of quality. Finding the right solution for your situation is. Penske's are great! They just don't always like street miles.

LostSoulMiata · 02-15-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:47 pm

You can't service Koni's by yourself. AFIAK, you can't do it with any shock. Koni's are great shocks, you won't blow them as easily as you think.

I understand this Marty, I was not implying that I, myself, could rebuild them, but what brands had a reputation for quality service on their systems/shocks. Thus far, Koni seems to be the choice and to have them shorten the shock body as well for usable travel when lowered. I was simply seeing if anyone knew of another company that had servicable suspension as well.

peteberta · 02-15-2008, 01:33 PM

I don't know for sure but I've heard that Tein has a service facility in the states.

I know from experience that companies like KSport do not. They would replace an entire damper if a problem developed.

FCM does rebuild Bilsteins as well as Bilstein direct.

From what I've found is that companies are quite forthcoming if you call them, like Stance, JIC etc.

emmi · 02-15-2008, 02:17 PM

pretty much all coilover dampers are rebuildable... mono tubes are a bit harder to do though

freedomgli · 02-15-2008, 02:29 PM

JIC are serviceable in the USA but I've heard complaints about excessive delays. I don't know if they've gotten better since 2006.

freedomgli · 02-15-2008, 02:31 PM

A friend of mine has JRZ double adjustables on his Porsche Boxster S (yes, I'm jealous) and service is readily available in the USA.

LostSoulMiata · 02-15-2008, 03:26 PM

Keep 'em comin guys, you're helping me immensely =D>

slutz4 · 02-15-2008, 04:30 PM

Hit me up on aim, Ive got loads of info about this

emmi · 02-15-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freedomgli @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:29 pm

JIC are serviceable in the USA but I've heard complaints about excessive delays. I don't know if they've gotten better since 2006.

JIC are down the street from TEIN in Downey... and tein also takes a while overhauling too

twmboy · 02-15-2008, 07:05 PM

ohlins

JMarsh · 02-15-2008, 08:15 PM

Any thoughts on the BC Coilovers? I know Chelsea was running them on his drift car. Marty and I met the guys at SEMA, and they seems to have their act together. When Im ready for coilovers, I think I will give them a shot (this is several months out though).

rmx5 · 02-16-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S3 Miata @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:15 pm

Any thoughts on the BC Coilovers? I know Chelsea was running them on his drift car. Marty and I met the guys at SEMA, and they seems to have their act together. When I ready for coilovers, I think I will give them a shot (this is several months out though).

i had bc coilovers on my previous car (srt4). i loved them. they never failed and were made of very good quality

02-15-2008, 12:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
LostSoulMiata Finger lickin' good... Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Venice, Florida Posts: 6,605	Rebuildable Coil-overs Who makes them? I'm looking for a new suspension setup. Ultimately, I'd love to have some of the better known systems, but I'm unsure if they are in fact rebuildable/servicable. I've searched before I posted this topic and only came back with 4 resuts, all were budget Koni's w/ GC sleeves. I'm not ruling that out, but how well/often can Koni's be rebuilt? What is their limitations as well? Now, when I ask if they can be rebuilt/serviced, I'm talking say a seal blows and oil leaks out. Can I buy just the seal that's blown as well as any other seal that fluid may have gotten by, put it all back together, refill with oil, and repressurize w/ Nitro, or will my only option have to be to completely replace the entire shock (damper) or coil-over? Examples of dampers/shocks/coil-overs are: Ohlins, Tanabe, Cusco, Bilstein, Stance, JIC Majic, 949 racing, Megan, etc. please help a feller out
	__________________ Andrew - '98 Honda Superhawk - '88 Yamaha YSR50 - "Play Thing" - '78 Honda CB750F SOHC SuperSport - "Lucky 13"

02-15-2008, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Marty Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: ATL Tricks! Posts: 650	You can't service Koni's by yourself. AFIAK, you can't do it with any shock. Koni's are great shocks, you won't blow them as easily as you think.
	__________________ R-SPEED OWNS YOUR DRIFT!! http://www.martymartymarty.net/Marty/martysig.jpg http://dgtrials.com/images/slideordiefooter.jpg Atlantic Region President DG Trials .:Slide or Die!:. www.gasstationsunglasses.com .:Why take a roadtrip?:.

02-15-2008, 01:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
peteberta Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 490	I don't know for sure but I've heard that Tein has a service facility in the states. I know from experience that companies like KSport do not. They would replace an entire damper if a problem developed. FCM does rebuild Bilsteins as well as Bilstein direct. From what I've found is that companies are quite forthcoming if you call them, like Stance, JIC etc.
	__________________ "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein

02-15-2008, 02:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
emmi FUCK YOU!!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 6,696	pretty much all coilover dampers are rebuildable... mono tubes are a bit harder to do though
	__________________

02-15-2008, 02:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
freedomgli Supporting Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 12,191	JIC are serviceable in the USA but I've heard complaints about excessive delays. I don't know if they've gotten better since 2006.
	__________________

02-15-2008, 01:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
peteberta Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 490	And the only real limitation of the Koni yellow in a coil over configuration is the lack of adjustable shock length. As you lower the spring perch to get the car lower you lose useable bump travel. But, you can get Koni's shortened at around $71 per shock. Add to the price of the rebuild $125 plus parts The only problems I have seen with yellows are SA's that have been converted to DA's. A very small percentage will develop leaks when not done by Koni. ProParts for example did some shocks for a friend of mines MRSpyder and he had a hell of a time with them. But the two time DStock national champion has been driving around on Koni converted DA's for a few years now with no problems. I've also seen a set of Penske's go back to the builder 3 times in one season for leaks. So money spent is no example of quality. Finding the right solution for your situation is. Penske's are great! They just don't always like street miles.

02-15-2008, 02:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
freedomgli Supporting Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 12,191	A friend of mine has JRZ double adjustables on his Porsche Boxster S (yes, I'm jealous) and service is readily available in the USA.
	__________________

02-15-2008, 03:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
LostSoulMiata Finger lickin' good... Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Venice, Florida Posts: 6,605	Re: Rebuildable Coil-overs Keep 'em comin guys, you're helping me immensely =D>
	__________________ Andrew - '98 Honda Superhawk - '88 Yamaha YSR50 - "Play Thing" - '78 Honda CB750F SOHC SuperSport - "Lucky 13"

02-15-2008, 04:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
slutz4 Esteemed Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lawrenceburg Indiana Posts: 3,772	Hit me up on aim, Ive got loads of info about this

02-15-2008, 07:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
twmboy Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: goleta/sf-sunset Posts: 323	ohlins
	__________________ guess what I drive... http://speedhunters.com/archive/2009...vo-tumble.aspx www.worksmotorsports.com http://worksmotorsports.blogspot.com/

02-15-2008, 08:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
JMarsh Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N Atlanta GA Posts: 462	Any thoughts on the BC Coilovers? I know Chelsea was running them on his drift car. Marty and I met the guys at SEMA, and they seems to have their act together. When Im ready for coilovers, I think I will give them a shot (this is several months out though).

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