Rep Power: 285

I'm not quite sure how to classify exactly this, so I'm going to call it a restoration.

A little background:
My current set-up is tokico hp "blues" with H&R springs, it's rides and perfoms very well and I wasn't planning on upgrading to full coilovers for at least a couple years. I got lucky and found an almost new set of Tein SS coilovers for $250 being sold by a junk yard, so i jumped on the deal and negotiated them down to $200 because the adjustment wrench is missing and there's a broken click adjuster.

Current plans for them:
Paint
I live north of the 49th parallel so snow and salt has inevitably caused some classic Tein rust, I want to both repair that rust and recoat them with a surface that will be more durable in the future. The debate is to have a custom colour match done and repaint them tein green or just find the best rust resistant paint I can and redo them in black or silver, thoughts on this would be appreciated!

Broken Click Adjuster
These are what set the stiffness of the strut, one of mine is broken and and needs to be replaced. I'll be ordering one from Tein along with an 8mm wrench designed for removing and replacing it.

Spring Seats
I'm debating on whether to replace these or leave them for now, they're not in great shape, but they're also not horrible. Since they're $10 each from Tein I'm leaning towards keeping them for now. Again, thoughts on this would be much appreciated!

Future plans:
I'm never selling my car, ever. It will eventually become a weekend/track car and at that point I'll send the coilovers to Tein to be race valved and have the springs swapped to custom higher spring rates. Just like s-techs, Tein coilovers offer a great ride because they utilize a lower spring rate than most aftermarket suspensions, that's great for a DD but bad for actual performance.

And yes, pictures will be coming soon!

Ps. Anyone considering buying used coilovers should check out this faq on Tein: http://teinusa-blog.com/what-to-look...sed-coilovers/

 
Rep Power: 294

Congrats on your purchase! I thought I did well finding a 6-month old set of FLEX coilovers and an EDFC for a $1K.

1) As for the custom color match, don't bother, it's really not worth the money (Trust me, this is coming from someone who spends way too much money on a car). I used a can of Rustoleum John Deere Green, when I re-spayed mine (I didn't have to, but it had a couple of scratches, I've got OCD - couldn't let that slide). And IMHO, it's a much nicer, deeper green. Unless you have a set side by side, no one will ever know the difference. As for black or silver - Nah. Green is the only way to rock the TEIN. It's blasphemy to do anything else. It's like racing a Red or Yellow Kawasaki.

2) As for the click aduster, I had one that appeared to be the same way. I sparayed some PB Blaster in/on it and let it set overnight. I used the allen key to work it free. Good as new. I also tore my coilovers completely apart, soaked/washed everything, re-greased the perch threads, etc.

3) Hold off on the spring seats until you get it overhauled/re-valved. Might as well get it done then. Save a few ducks. My buddy got his overhauled, and got all new parts (This was in Downey, CA), not sure where u are getting yours done. It may have helped that we're local.

4) Yes, Teins are a little softer than some of the coilovers (JIC, Ohlins, etc.), but they are still relatively stiff. I've got mine set with minimal pre-load and pretty close to full soft front damping and mid-range rear. I blew out my rear speakers within the first week of installation - No Joke. I'm sure it didn't help that I am using an EP3 set-up (higher spring rates), full poly-u engine and suspension bushings, and tucking tires. These coilovers are still stiffer than any progressive spring/shock combo (straight cut/ground controls excluded). BRUTAL ride, even in full soft can best describe my daily drive.

5) Being used, I'd set your ride height about 1/2" to 3/4" higher than the front. The rears will settle with the fronts, sooner than you'd think. Teins do tend to sag.

 
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Are those the Teins that were on Craigslist? Haha

 
Rep Power: 285

Thanks! I seem to have a talent for finding deals on used parts, maybe it's good carma from helping the ricers who come here reform.

My thoughts exactly, TEIN green is so classic that repainting them any other colour is pure blasphemy. I was just hesitant, because I don't want painting my coilovers to become annual maintenance - I'm to OCD about my car to even let rust spots slide. I'll go with John Deere Green with a couple coats of clear caliper paint for good measure.

I was trying to assess the condition of them at the junk yard and the one click adjuster wouldn't move, i asked the guy if I could borrow an allen key and instead of handing it to me he put it in the clicker and broke the **** off. PB blaster probably would have worked fine, the idiot..

Good to know, thanks.

On top of having EP3 spec, you have TEIN FLEX and their spring rates are around 50% higher than SS so your ride will definitely be harsher than mine. I also have poly engine mounts and suspension bushings, they definitely don't make the ride comfortable, but probably some of the best money anyone could spend on their car.

Good advice, thanks.

Haha yup!

It was this little junk yard on the road to culus lake, they had a full set of DC5 seats just sitting outside in the rain. I was tempted to make an offer since I don't think they knew they were worth anything, but I've spent wwaaayy to much on my car lately.

 
Rep Power: 256

the first thing i did when i got my progress comps was paint them with rust proofing its not like you can really see them on the car i would rather have the added protection being in connecticut with all the salt that goes down in the winter.

 
Rep Power: 285

I'm trying to decide what to do about the stickers on my coilovers, the ones put on by Tein that specify the model and such. I don't want to remove them, but since I'm painting the entire assembly I'm going to need to try and tape them off and I'm not sure how successful that will be. I'm thinking out loud a bit here, but comments or suggestions would be very welcome..

 
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I would suggest blue painters tap over the area (I'm sure it's just a little box right? ) and then use an xacto knife or something similar to cut around the edges and just paint over it

 
Rep Power: 285

I think that's what I'll do, i need to tape off the sleeves and damper shafts when I paint them anyway.

I got the rears disassembled today and cleaned them really well with a ton of brake cleaner, but I'm a bit disappointed because I found some corrosion on the sleeves. I guess the sleeves are just chromed?