Coilovers vs. Separates: How long do they last? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

kermit80 · 02-26-2003, 09:57 AM

I am going to buy some shocks and springs...probably some eibach sportlines & either KYB AGX's or Tokico's. But someone the other day at this race shop said i should just go with the Tein HA Coilovers. He said that the spring and the coilover are made for each other and will last a long time. He said anytime you buy separate springs and shocks is that you will have to buy new shocks sooner because it will be bottoming out and blowing. The dropped spring will make the stroke shorter or something and it will shorten the life of the shock. Kinda makes sense but is the life of the shock shortened that much? How long will they normally last with dropped springs?

Also i heard a bearing kit is good to get. for a 93 s13 where the bearings are probably original. Do they need to be replaced ever in it's lifetime? How important are they?

Dousan_PG · 02-26-2003, 10:05 AM

NOT TRUE
well matched (that is the key) springs and shocks last just as long if not longer

bearings? you should replace your muffler bearings yearly

what bearings do you speak of? wheel bearings?? dont fix what's not broken.

AKADriver · 02-26-2003, 10:13 AM

what dousan said.

That said the Sportlines specifically are quite low compared to their stiffness, if you go the non-adjustable route you may want to consider a spring that's either taller or stiffer. But plenty of people have no problems with the Sportlines so take that with a grain of salt.

A "full coilover" should last a long time if you take care of it... but you'll eventually need to have the damper rebuilt. Normal dampers like the KYB AGX are designed to be thrown away when they wear out, but the Teins are rebuildable... not DIY, you have to send them back to Tein.

*transient* · 02-26-2003, 05:45 PM

Don't some dampers work on sortof a cartridge system?

kermit80 · 02-27-2003, 01:52 AM

So how long do aftermarket shocks with drop springs last???
How much you think it cost to get those Tein Coilovers rebuilt? My first time buying suspension so i wanna do it right. As for bearings...i hear there are bearing kits for your suspension. Is this something that needs to be changed?? If they are worn down, cracked and that sort...can it damage your car??

Also i am going to get a camber kit..but i was told that i don't need a camber kit for the back because it's rear wheel drive and because it's a straight drive shaft since the engine is up front. Makes sense...is it true??

*transient* · 02-27-2003, 01:44 PM

You'll need a camber kit or new upper control arms (I'd go with the control arms if you can afford it.) What you said would be true if it was a straight axle, but the 240sx has multilink independant rear suspension, so you need a kit.

kermit80 · 02-27-2003, 02:50 PM

hey thanks for the reply...why do you prefer control arms over camber??

how much more do you think they are??

is it ok for camber in the front and control arms in the back??

DuffMan · 04-08-2003, 03:01 AM

With prokits, the shocks you have listed will be fine. With sportlines, those two would also be okay, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had a shorter than normal life.

I think if you are looking for a really low drop, you shouldn't use shocks not intended for it. But for the most part, shock lifetime shouldn't be the deciding factor between coilovers and spring/shock combination. Its more of a cost vs. handling benefits type of decision.

View Poll Results: What suspension would you go with?
Eibach Sportline & Tokico's (non-adjustable)	1	3.23%
Eibach Sportline & KYB AGX's	6	19.35%
Tein HA Coilover kit	20	64.52%
Eibach Pro Kit & Tokico's	1	3.23%
Eibach Pro Kit & KYB AGX's	3	9.68%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

02-26-2003, 09:57 AM	#1
kermit80 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 41 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Coilovers vs. Separates: How long do they last? I am going to buy some shocks and springs...probably some eibach sportlines & either KYB AGX's or Tokico's. But someone the other day at this race shop said i should just go with the Tein HA Coilovers. He said that the spring and the coilover are made for each other and will last a long time. He said anytime you buy separate springs and shocks is that you will have to buy new shocks sooner because it will be bottoming out and blowing. The dropped spring will make the stroke shorter or something and it will shorten the life of the shock. Kinda makes sense but is the life of the shock shortened that much? How long will they normally last with dropped springs? Also i heard a bearing kit is good to get. for a 93 s13 where the bearings are probably original. Do they need to be replaced ever in it's lifetime? How important are they? __________________ 93 240sx...Sportline Springs, KYB AGX shocks, 3 1/2"exhaust, Whiteline Offset Rear bushings, 16" SSR rims, intake, spoiler, Momo steering wheel, Clarion DB625MP3 Deck....2nd 240sx...and waited 6 months looking for a good one with low miles.....wanted NOTHING ELSE....

02-26-2003, 10:05 AM	#2
Dousan_PG Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange County, California Age: 42 Posts: 16,640 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: Dousan_PG Feedback Score: 23 reviews	NOT TRUE well matched (that is the key) springs and shocks last just as long if not longer bearings? you should replace your muffler bearings yearly what bearings do you speak of? wheel bearings?? dont fix what's not broken. __________________ Aaron Pink GodziRa www.geocities.com/pink_godzira

02-26-2003, 05:45 PM	#4
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 37 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Don't some dampers work on sortof a cartridge system? __________________ Learn everything you can, while you still have the chance.

02-27-2003, 01:52 AM	#5
kermit80 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 41 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So how long do aftermarket shocks with drop springs last??? How much you think it cost to get those Tein Coilovers rebuilt? My first time buying suspension so i wanna do it right. As for bearings...i hear there are bearing kits for your suspension. Is this something that needs to be changed?? If they are worn down, cracked and that sort...can it damage your car?? Also i am going to get a camber kit..but i was told that i don't need a camber kit for the back because it's rear wheel drive and because it's a straight drive shaft since the engine is up front. Makes sense...is it true?? __________________ 93 240sx...Sportline Springs, KYB AGX shocks, 3 1/2"exhaust, Whiteline Offset Rear bushings, 16" SSR rims, intake, spoiler, Momo steering wheel, Clarion DB625MP3 Deck....2nd 240sx...and waited 6 months looking for a good one with low miles.....wanted NOTHING ELSE....

02-26-2003, 10:13 AM	#3
AKADriver Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Age: 39 Posts: 3,112 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	what dousan said. That said the Sportlines specifically are quite low compared to their stiffness, if you go the non-adjustable route you may want to consider a spring that's either taller or stiffer. But plenty of people have no problems with the Sportlines so take that with a grain of salt. A "full coilover" should last a long time if you take care of it... but you'll eventually need to have the damper rebuilt. Normal dampers like the KYB AGX are designed to be thrown away when they wear out, but the Teins are rebuildable... not DIY, you have to send them back to Tein.

02-27-2003, 01:44 PM	#6
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 37 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You'll need a camber kit or new upper control arms (I'd go with the control arms if you can afford it.) What you said would be true if it was a straight axle, but the 240sx has multilink independant rear suspension, so you need a kit. __________________ Learn everything you can, while you still have the chance.

02-27-2003, 02:50 PM	#7
kermit80 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 41 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hey thanks for the reply...why do you prefer control arms over camber?? how much more do you think they are?? is it ok for camber in the front and control arms in the back?? __________________ 93 240sx...Sportline Springs, KYB AGX shocks, 3 1/2"exhaust, Whiteline Offset Rear bushings, 16" SSR rims, intake, spoiler, Momo steering wheel, Clarion DB625MP3 Deck....2nd 240sx...and waited 6 months looking for a good one with low miles.....wanted NOTHING ELSE....

04-08-2003, 03:01 AM	#8
DuffMan Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: in a cardboard box Posts: 2,517 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	With prokits, the shocks you have listed will be fine. With sportlines, those two would also be okay, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had a shorter than normal life. I think if you are looking for a really low drop, you shouldn't use shocks not intended for it. But for the most part, shock lifetime shouldn't be the deciding factor between coilovers and spring/shock combination. Its more of a cost vs. handling benefits type of decision.

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