As you might know, the JIC dampers are good for something like 1,000 lb-in springs, but mine came with 560 lb-in (10k) springs in the back.

Last Monday I kept hearing a loud knock when I was going over bumps, so I knew somehting was wrong. By Wednesday, it was plain to see all the oil coming out of my left rear damper.

So I called JIC and got an RA to send the damper back, and they are quick in service, sending the fixed unit back to me today, Friday. The rep at JIC asked me how low the car was, because it looks like the shock was not getting its full travel... I said, 1.75", the truth, and honestly, not a huge drop for the EP3

...however...

I DID preload my springs by 1" past the point where they were touching the rings. According to the rep, preloading the springs multiplies the spring rate almost 100% for each quarter inch... and he beleives that is why the damper lasted only a few months

Hopefully my other rear damper will be alright, I'll be lowering the preload amount to just "firm at full droop".

JIC covered the replacement, since there are no instructions to speak of for thier kits. I really do appreciate thier good and fast service in this matter.

I've made the most of my down-time though, by changing the transmission fluid, and sending the ECU off for a Hondata reflash.

 

JIC was really cool about it and fixed the blown one. Im keeping my fingers crossed on the other. I think the 560 rate will be enough for me as long as I daily drive.

 

I thought they would sell up to 19K or so springs with the FLT-A2s, but its hard to remember...they could have been trying to sell an upgrade to the Race models.

I never had the loud knock until it was over...I thought it was the wheel too at first.

I'm going to help the EP3 community realize the consequences of pre-loading... some of them arent as lucky as I've been in this situation. Thanks for all your input.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hatch2k &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I thought they would sell up to 19K or so springs with the FLT-A2s, but its hard to remember...they could have been trying to sell an upgrade to the Race models.

I never had the loud knock until it was over...I thought it was the wheel too at first.

I'm going to help the EP3 community realize the consequences of pre-loading... some of them arent as lucky as I've been in this situation. Thanks for all your input. </TD></TR></TABLE>

what does "PRELOAD" means?? i mean, what do you do to the spring??

 

well the spring has a lower mount that can be adjusted along the threaded body. You can raise it up and it will compress the spring some. This allows you to cornerwieght the car. i ajusted mine up alot, so the springs would be very firm in the rear, but I never know how much firmer they were until now. The JIC kits do not come with any ducumentation.

 

Glad to hear everything works out.

Hondata already ... nice.

 

Does it mention the minimum amount of threads that should be inside the main body? I always wondered about that.