I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to suspensions (proven by the fact that I'm on my fourth suspension since I bought my car! ) so I need some help.

Here's the deal: I'm running basic Teins. I'm pretty happy with how they perform on the front of the car but the rear has me seriously thinking about changing my suspension again; I'll try to explain what's going on. The rear ones are at their highest setting and even so I can't avoid having the car hitting the bumpstops every time I hit a pothole. The major issue is the "rebound" which it's too stiff. Since I can't do anything with the setting of the Teins I was thinking about taking out the rear sway bar but I'm also looking for suggestions about any other possible option.

I'm taking my car to the shop tomorrow morning to try and fix a problem with the diff so I'd like to take that opportunity to see what else can I do with the suspension.

One dumb question: can I take the rear shocks out and exchange them with other shocks?

Thanks

 

Your issue is suspension travel. FM has their upper mounts on deal of the day right now, or you could cobble together a DIY solution. The rear sway bar will have nothing to do with your issue unless it's happening only when you cornering.

 

No, it's not happening only when cornering. I'll check into FM's deal right now. Would you mind explaining a little further how those will help with suspension travel?

Would you mind explaining further what could I do with regards to a DIY solution?

I forgot to mention that I'm using FCM bumpstops

Thanks for the help Jay.

 

Turn the adjusters down to full soft, go for a drive. Report back.

What people sometimes think is "hitting bumpstops", is really the Tein's extremely stiff high-speed rebound when turned up.

 

Do basic Teins even have adjusters to full soft? BTW, you're dead on about the "extremely stiff high-speed rebound". I was able to check my car from another car while traveling back home from the dragstrip and I could see it bouncing up any time there was any change in the surface.

Thanks Jason. I appreciate the explanation. I need to solve this issue but I don't know how.

 

BTW Jay; I just spoke to the guys of FM on the phone and they asked me to measure the diameter of the springs and the shaft of the shock to confirm they will fit.

 

I've been searching on Google and; either I don't understand Jason's explanation regarding turning the adjusters down to full soft or that option is not available in Tein Basics. Anyone know?

Also, does anyone know the diameter of the Tein Springs and the shock shafts?

Thanks

 

The basics aren't adjustable as far as I know.

 

OK then. Measure ride height with the car at rest (center of wheel to fender lip).
Remove wheel. Jack up hub until you get the same "ride height".
Peel up dust boot. Push bumpstop up. How much exposed shaft is there?

Which style FCM bumpstops are you using?

Do the Tein Basics come with their own tophats, or did you have to reuse the stockers?

 

Keep the teins upgrade to stiffer springs?

 

I'll follow those suggestions tomorrow.

I'll also have to find my FCM invoice to see which ones.

I did have to reuse my stockers. No tophats came with the Teins that I can recall.

I'll also take some pics.

The more I read your comments the more convinced I am of buying the FM tophats Jay suggested. I guess I'll also measure the spring and shock shaft diameters.

Thanks.

 

Assuming you have an NA, check with FCM's recommendations, you will same money by going to NB tophats.

 

An update; I went ahead and ordered tophats.

Jason, you were dead on in your assessment. Thanks

 

Final update. I installed Dan's Tophats this morning.

Wow, what a difference! I'm finally able to enjoy some suspension travel. I lowered the rear of the car and now I can feel even the front suspension working properly.

The car is much more neutral when cornering and; oh, to the joy of not hitting the bumpstops everytime I hit a pothole!

If anyone is using Teins on an NA with the tophats that come with the kit: change the rear ones; you won't regret it.

Thanks to all who assisted and a special thanks to Dan Young. You rock!

 

Ahem, I must point out that I called suspension travel immediately. Send me beer.

 

I must say you sir know your ****

Pity you're Canadian!

And yes; I have to find a way to send you Presidentes. Ask Marc what did he think about them.

Are you into Rum? If so, let me know. I'm trying to see how to ship rum to some people.

 

Thanks for the purchase Rafa...glad your thrilled! I'll add some of your photos to the site in the next few days (DP6061 // Design & Development).

 

looks like I need to get rear tophats when I drop in Tein Flex for my NA.

 

um no. This thread is about Tein Basics which are not preload or dampening adjustable like the Flex. You'll be fine with what Tein sends you if you set it up properly.

 

DragonX,

Do the flex come with the Pillowball mounts? If they do that's all you need. If not you might like to do Dan's, Fatcats, FM's, or stock NB mounts. NA's mounts do limit suspension travel quite a bit. Again, if the flex comes with pillowballs you are set like Johndoe says.