i have a set of tein RA aluminum coilovers with pillowball upper mounts for the itr.

i used these for one year, approximately 10k miles, and removed them last week for cleaning.

i found that the gold anodization of the upper hats has bubbled and peeled, the alumunim undernieth has been exposed and is dicoloring. this does not effect the function at all but it does not look good.

i called tein USA to hopefully get a replacement set under warantee but the rep said they dont cover finish since it is a process completed in japan, they only cover manufacturers defects... i tried to explain that i considered this to be a manufacturing defect since the coilovers were only used for the inteded purpose, yet this still occurred. i then talked to the manager and he confirmed that there was nothing they could do and i could buy a new set for 350$.

i asked if they have heard of this problem before and i was told NO, but i find that hard to believe considering the circumstances and the nature of the problem, the finish has peeled where the hats are contacting the spring[on the underside] and the chassis[top of pillowball mount], i dont see how this could have been a special circumstance and i'm assuming this would happen to all mounts over time.

so anyway i just wanted to post to inform the good people of H-T that i would not recommend tein coilovers anymore, they did serve fuction well but i will be losing a few hundred dollars on them when i go to sell them just based on the fact that they look bad, when i did nothing to abuse them.

i had a set of zeal s6 and the upper hats were simply polished, no finish was applied, i'd consider this the better option now.

ill post some pics in a few days when i get the rears apart.

 

you need to stop being a whining bitch.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you need to stop being a whining bitch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you need to stop being a whining bitch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sort of like the guy some time back complaining about the clamp marks on the inside of his wheels from having tires mounted!

Maintenance item! LOL!

 

damn that sucks man

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you need to stop being a whining bitch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I would have to agree with D on this one.

I had a set of Tein RA's that had the same "problem" you are describing.

If it doesn't affect the performance of the coilovers (which it doesn't), don't worry about it.

 

haha, ok, well if i had known it would be a problem i probibly would have purchased something else, 1500$ is a lot to spend on a set of shocks and springs that looks like **** after a year, i was able to resell the s6 with ease b/c they looked absolutely brand new.

all tein had to do for my satisfaction about this was admit that the hats have this problem and appologize. instead they played dumb like they have never heard of it before and criticized me for being concerned about the way they look.

maybe if tein wasnt so concerned about bling bling green and gold they could have released a product that maintains its quality.

im not whining im just letting tein [or potential tein] owners know about my personal experience.

 

Buy American!

 

stove paint owns

 

You could try contacting Tein in Japan.

I've previously had a warranty issue with Sony that I could not resolve (here in the US); a <u>politely</u> worded letter sent to Sony Japan via EMS resulted in contact from a Sony International Customer Service Rep within 2 weeks - problem solved.

 

just spray bomb the bishes if you are worried...

and yes my friends Tein RA's had the same problem, i think there is some adhensive sticker on it.. or something..?

i forget...

and rawk on D

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecvoodoo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Buy American! </TD></TR></TABLE>American, JDM, coilovers?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you need to stop being a whining bitch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

again...read above.

 

it is not an anodized finish. it's painted.

 

.....damn you guys are being harsh.

Some people care about **** like this.

It's not a BIG deal, but I'm sure there's someone who may or may not buy TEIN coilovers for such a reason.....

To me, it speaks volumes about the quality of the other components... considering they treat the visible parts such.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Black R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">To me, it speaks volumes about the quality of the other components... considering they treat the visible parts such..... </TD></TR></TABLE>

TEIN = JDM APC ?

 

damn, you guys are being harsh with this dude. I see where he's coming from. When I spend your hard earned cash, especially that much. I expect quality too.

 

Yea, the finish sucks.

I made copies of the Tein mounts, billet Alum. I still need to order the studs and pillow *****, but they'll be for sale.. lemme know if you're interested.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sackdz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yea, the finish sucks.

I made copies of the Tein mounts, billet Alum. I still need to order the studs and pillow *****, but they'll be for sale.. lemme know if you're interested.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Can you say *BLING*?

I bet you could make $1M selling those on ebay..... I **** you not.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Black R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


Can you say *BLING*?

I bet you could make $1M selling those on ebay..... I **** you not..... </TD></TR></TABLE>

seriously.
the pillowball is removable but i dont have the tool to do so, does anyone know where i can find something like this? it would be shaped like a socket with 4 pins around the outside circumference that fit in groves in the bearing case.

if i can get the pillowball spherical bearing out i can just sandblast the hats, they are oxidizing and turning a dark grey color, but i explained that the machining process puts grooves in the metal that recesses the surface so i cant do it by hand. basically the enitre hats peeled.

btw: i really dont care that some people are being "harsh" on me about this. i take them for arrogant ****** as it is so even contributing to my topics anymore has just become reassurance, plus imho it just continues to reflect poorly on themselves.

 

The preceived decrease in value would only make a difference to someone like you. Most non-**** people would not care since the functionality of the setup is retained. Depreiciation due to use SHOULD BE EXPECTED.

Personally, I think it is unrealistic that many of you feel like you get ripped off whenever you buy something, and that you cannot sell it used for the same or similar price. Also, keeping parts like new is not really conducive with actually using them.

If you took the sus to the track, played with the settings, and did something more like what it was intended for, you would impart far more comsetic damage to the part than some mere discoloration, yet derive considerably greater ENJOYMENT out of the part.

 

i never said i felt ripped off, and i do accept depreciation as part of using parts. :where's my damn hammer:

i made plenty of settings adjustments on these functional coilovers and i guarantee you none of them physically damaged the shock or hat.

only through extnded use are weaknesses or flaws of products discovered. THE RAW ALUMINUM IS OXIDIZING, if i had left them installed for another season without worrying about this "cosmetic" problem, pitting would take over and its possible the strength of the metal would have been compromised.

whether you will admit it or not, you would not be happy with situation either, as a tein dealer mrheeltoe will be getting defensive about this. maybe if "someone like me" had told "someone like me" about this problem tein wouldnt be on my car.

*i have never heard any problems with tein products, when i discovered the condition of my pillowballs, i posted to let others know and gather opinons/suggestion for myself, grow up.


Modified by euclid at 6:10 AM 1/28/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by euclid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i never said i felt ripped off, and i do accept depreciation as part of using parts. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You havent accept that wear and tear is part of using parts also though...

It happens. You dont drive your car and not get rock chips and swirl marks in the paint. Same thing with the suspension. Or wheels. Or mike's mom.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by euclid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

btw: i really dont care that some people are being "harsh" on me about this. i take them for arrogant ******</TD></TR></TABLE>

arrogant ******. wooo hooo!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by euclid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i had a set of zeal s6 and the upper hats were simply polished, no finish was applied, i'd consider this the better option now.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just curious, why don't you use a dremel and wire brush to remove the finishing and make it look like it's polished?

IMO, this kind of thing should not be covered under warranty. It's like having rock chips on the hood.