Well after 1 season in snow country my springs are showing some heavy surface rust. Install was done back in 2000.
The statement about powder coating chipping is B.S. I have plenty of rust and no chips. I am starting to wonder if these are even powder coated at all, and not just painted.

 

I was just about to order the Comptechs.... now I'm leaning to H&R OEs.

 

I agree.... we have been LIED to!!!!!!!!.... lets start a petition and file a civil suit.

 

Let's just hope nothing bad happens to anyone because of broken springs.....
1. Powder coating should never chip. That is pretty much the whole reason for powder coating.
2. Powder coating should never rust for the same reason.

 

That presumes that it doesn't have any breaches and it wasn't put on by clowns. A proper powercoat job should last for the life of the car – if certain conditions are met.

If you get some road salt near a pinhole, say goodbye to the powercoat.
If you get a couple of coils -- especially in a progressive wind -- to rub, you can have trouble.

If you ever think of buying some used springs and are planning on using them in a "snowy" area where they use road salt, make sure there isn't a single pinhole in them. Once the rust gets under the powder coat, the metal will disappear in very little time -- especially if they are steel alloy (not stainless or other composition with high corrosion resistance.)

Powercoating is just like coating or paint process, the people who are really good at it know that prep is about 98% of the work.

http://www.pfonline.com/powder/index.html

http://www.pcoating.com/

Have a look at a few articles if you think you just hook up an electrostatic charge, spray, and then bake....

http://www.pfonline.com/articles/099801.html


Finally, the other thing that people should consider is: do the coils bind or rub. An inspection couldn't hurt.

Those springs in the picture were decaying for a long time.

 

My comptech springs still look new the last time I checked, still silver just a little dirty. But this thread may be the excuse I was looking for to go TEIN

but no honestly Jonesi your spending 200 on springs, I would assume your going to change your shocks, plus install costs .. if I were you I would sell those springs on the black market and pickup a set of teins. gonna cost the same to install.

 

I think $200 is too much to pay to replace a faulty product. C-C-C.net is selling them for $255 shipped (Group Buy). They should be giving them to you way below cost ... come on, they need to stand behind their product. They should be sending you the springs for free knowing that you'll have to pay to have them installed.

 

Damn Jonesi, that crazy, I'm not around salt but will check mine out this weekend.

 

Point well taken, however, these are not some $99.00/set APC Pepboys crap. These are 300.00 a set Comptech. I expect them to last longer than 4 years

 

I think this thread deserves to stay in the 2nd GEN area for a while until everyone gets a chance to check their cars and see if they have an issue.
So I’m gonna move it back there.

If the upper echelon of management disagrees with me, feel free to move it back to the suspension area.
I just think this is a bit more important then questions about tires & wheels.

Shawn S

 

Yes, I would expect them to last for the life of the car. I'm pretty sure they're CHARGING enough to get someone who knows quality. Hopefully they are not being made in a Mao Zedong-era backyard foundry from melted-down farm implements and coal tar.

AND FOR EMPHASIS:
Since I've now seen two -- or more? -- reports of the Comptech Springs corroding and failing, it might actually be useful to have members inspect their springs from time to time. (IMO, a look at the actual coils for any corrosion, pin holes, flaked-off coating, rubbing, and/or other "funnies" couldn't hurt.)

 

Agreed

 

hey jonesi, i was in the middle of yanking my konis out for ya, and my CT springs are mess too... the coating is all popped and they are rusting up

oh, by the way, you have PM

 

I posted this in the 'official' CT Spring Thread but I thought it would be worthwhile to put it here also because of it's importance:

After having emailed Comptech directly and explaining my spring situation ( bought and installed May '03, thus still in warranty) and clearly detailing the advanced rusting/corrosion of the rear springs, I received an email from Nate on Wednesday (10/6). I will not repro. the entire response here but simply say that I am still in shock as to the content. After knowing about this serious issue with the springs for more than 3 months now, the Comptech Company writes to me: "....We normally don't warranty surface rust on a product, but are making an exception for this particular part."

Did you all get that ??? Surface Rust?? We will make an exception ??

Needless to say I am waiting at this point for the matter to be resolved.

Thanks to everyone especially Jonesi who started this rolling.

Meanwhile please everyone say a little prayer that the springs don't fail on me as I'm driving.

Peace.