Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) Includes 1997 - 1999 Acura CL

How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourself ~$80)

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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 07:30 PM
  #1  
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Default How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourself ~$80)

This:

Into

Using:
http://more-japan.com/product....age=1

Pricing from optionimports.com is:
Type 2: $675
Type 1: $855

The helper springs from more-japan are $48 for a pair.

Not only is this cost effective, it solves a problem with lowering the Type 2 past a certain point. The problem is that the spring that comes with it, the pro 210, is not long enough to compress under no load unless you have it set to a certain height. This causes a problem when you hit a bump and the spring decompresses and comes unseated. It will sit crooked and snap back into place. This happened to me and I decided it was not good for my springs. The lower limit is about here:


needless to say this is unacceptable

so here are the type 2s from way back when...
and here are the helper springs that are $48 a pair from that link.

I opted for just getting 2 for the rear so i could drop it lower. The front works just fine as a type 2. Front can go lower than this:


Anyway, there is a very good writeup for replacing shocks and struts so i'll keep mine pretty brief. This is for the back only btw and its a sedan.

-Jack up car and remove rear wheels.
-Remove this bolt from the bottom of the strut. its a 17. The nut is welded on the other side so you only need a breaker bar or a ratchet.



-Pull up rear seat bottom cushion and lower backrest of rear seat.
-Pull back plastic pieces covering the strut tower, you should now be able to see the 2 nuts holding the top of the strut into place.


-Remove the 2 nuts (14mm)
-Pull the strut off of the car, you may need to step on the rear hub to free up some space.

-Use the spanner wrenches to decompress the spring
-I opted to clean the strut and the threads as well

-Use an adjustable wrench to keep the very top of the strut from turning and a 14mm wrench to loosen the nut.

-Put the helper spring assembly on top of the existing spring, silver seat down.

-Use spanners to adjust the spring seat to the bottom of the threads
-Reassemble strut

-Install strut


As you can see, the spring stays seated even fully extended


-Put wheels back on and let car down.

Final ride height:


I'll take more pictures tomorrow.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 07:41 PM
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (Andryzzle)

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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 07:44 PM
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (shaunk18)

very nice job. tucks the tire very well
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 07:45 PM
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Default

Hmm, is the sole purpose to keep the spring seated? My GC's have a tendency to pop outta place every so often.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 07:50 PM
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Default Re: (TheMuffinMan)

Are the GCs 60mm diameter (thats what the helper springs are)? I imagine this mod would be pretty universal. Keeping the spring seated while going lower was my main motivation.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 09:36 PM
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Default Re: (Andryzzle)

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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 04:21 AM
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Default Re: (Andryzzle)

good info in this thread.

but i must say that i haven't run into this issue with my sustec's yet.
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 04:56 AM
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Default Re: (Kurumi)

I guess if you have no problem, no reason to fix it. When I tried to lower mine more back when I first got my coilovers it happened a couple of times... the time I distinctly remember, I was going around a turn and hit a bump. When I turned back the other way it popped back down.

Have driven on it since last night and no sign of problems.
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 05:05 AM
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Default Re: (Andryzzle)

good write up. i take it your are fairly happy with the S0-C's? i haven't seen anyone actually running them before.


Modified by DoC-JoneS at 12:02 PM 6/25/2008
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 06:10 AM
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Default Re: (DoC-JoneS)

yea Kurumi and I are both running the S-0C type 2 on accords.

Mine have always ridden really nice but now that I can sit lower its
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 06:13 AM
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Default Re: (Andryzzle)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andryzzle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yea Kurumi and I are both running the S-0C type 2 on accords.

Mine have always ridden really nice but now that I can sit lower its </TD></TR></TABLE>

hell yes!!! Tanabe has made one hell of a product!

solid suspension for sure. not too stiff, not to soft, and great **(adjustable) ride height
you can check my sig for more pics of the ride height!!


Modified by Kurumi at 9:32 AM 6/25/2008
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 06:31 AM
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Default Re: (Kurumi)

adjustable ride height*

where do you have yours set?
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 06:32 AM
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Default Re: (Andryzzle)

all the way down. but i've blown my upper strut mounts out in the rear.......LOL user installation error.....

put a washer in place where it needed to be and havent had an issue since.
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 08:25 AM
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (Andryzzle)

good info

added to the FAQ
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 10:53 AM
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Default Re: (Kurumi)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kurumi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">all the way down. </TD></TR></TABLE>

this is where Andryzzle NEEDS to be!!!!
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 08:53 PM
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Default Re: (shaunk18)

lol we put them all the way down.
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Old Jul 22, 2009 | 09:48 AM
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourse

Bringing this back up since I'm about to purchase a nice used set of Tanabe Pro SS II coilovers...

I was wonder what you guys use to Adjust the Stiffness of the strut??

Is there a KEY or **** ... or do you just use a screw driver?

I know Tanabe probably didnt make this and expect us to use a screw driver. I know there HAS to be some coo looking Key/**** that says Tanabe on it haha

If you do have, can you post a pic?

Thanks!

Ceasar
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Old Jul 22, 2009 | 10:48 AM
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourse

hmm..interesting..good info!
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Old Oct 1, 2009 | 08:33 PM
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourse

Originally Posted by JDMugenBB1
I was wonder what you guys use to Adjust the Stiffness of the strut??
i don't have the SS so they are NOT dampening adjustable, only height. hope you figured out your issue though
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Old May 2, 2010 | 06:22 AM
  #20  
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourse

I know this is an older thread, but I bought my Tanabes used with the helper springs. Now I want to go a little lower on the front seeing its not exactly where I expected it to sit. Judging measurements, if I remove the helper springs I should be where I wanna be.

Now mine are SS pro's, but the discontinued "orange" ones. Adjustable dampening and ride height obviously.

Should I go ahead and maybe try removing the helper springs and see how it goes and if the spring unseats, or just leave it and try to live with the ride height?
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Old May 2, 2010 | 07:17 AM
  #21  
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourse

Should be fine, especially in the front. I am only running this setup in the rear. People have been fine running the pro-2s all around with no helpers too.
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 08:22 PM
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourse

im really sorry to be bringing this thread back from the dead but i thought i'd do that instead of just making a new thread.

anyway, i am in DESPERATE need of the helper springs that the op is talking about here.

i checked that japan web site but i called and they told me they are no longer in stock and will no longer be stocking them.

wtf! where am i supposed to get them now?
i have googled them to high hell and could not find anything at all.

my car just doesnt sit right, and i dont want to have to replace my coilovers.

any help or tips greatly appreciated, thank you.
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Old Mar 1, 2011 | 11:39 AM
  #23  
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Default Re: How to: Turn Tanabe Sustec Pro SO-C Type 2 coilovers into Type 1 (and save yourse

I know it's long overdue, but have you tried contacting Tanabe directly?

www.tanabe-usa.com
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