ch1276

so has anyone been able to get in comptech about this yet?

ChadT

I don't think this is a coating issue. It looks like the spring is rusting from underneath the coating. Something happened to the steel during the manufacturing process or inferior steel was used. Just think about how railroad tracks are outside for decades without decaying like that with no coating whatsoever. I believe there is a serious problem with these springs. Much more serious than poor coating. With no coating at all I wouldn't expect springs to rust that quickly. Leaf springs usually have no paint left on them at all and you don't see them rusting like these. I don't know what Comptech would be willing to do about this but I wouldn't use another set.

Shawn S

My detailed letter is mostly done, but I haven’t sent it yet.

Shawn S

Slimey

I agree here -- the posted pictures (and fractured coils) are too extreme for what one would expect for only one or two years of rust.

blader

That is a very good point, I never thought about that.

I had a 1991 Ford Explorer for my first car about 2 years ago. The car was 12 years old and the leaf springs and front coils didnt even look that bad. And I'm pretty sure they were not coated with anything, especially the leafs. They were also in an ocean climate their whole life.

Red-CL

Very well put.

I never even thought of this.

GEB

I just got my used CT springs in the mail today. They look pretty good. A little rust where the springs compress against themselves but mostly the powder coating has just rubbed off. They have 10K on them (got them from Type S Lady on the TL forum). I thought about shooting them with some paint but if powder coating won't stay there, there's no way paint will last. I'll just install them and hope for the best.

rbf351

when i post i took a quick look at my springs

looked again last night before it got dark out, and my springs are starting to rust.

Jonesi

I've been trying to contact Comptech the past 2 days but the phone just keeps ringing and ringing.. They defintley don't have a secretary.. Their number is 916-933-1080.. I also pulled this from their site:

Quality:Comptech product quality meets or exceeds original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards.

Which IMO these don't meet even OEM standards...

123456SPEED

I just had my CT springs installed. I bought CT cause I'd heard CT made quality products. Not happy if mine rust and/or break like these shown. Even if CT were to replace springs (doubtful) I'm sure we'd be out the install cost which is just as much as the springs. I'd be glad to add my name to a 'concerned' list of buyers to CT.

Jonesi

UPDATE : I finally got in touch with them as I was typing my last response..

From my understanding is that initially they did have some issues with the original springs and basically they have changed the design.. Mainly the powdercoating was the major change. All I got out of him was that the older design which equals silver = bad.. lol And the newly designed Black powdercoating = good.. So anybody with silver powdercoating should be concerned and should watch them.. A QC rep wasn't available to speak with so this is the info I got out of him.. I strongly suggest you call them if you have concerns about the springs you currently have on your car.. After seeing my car I wouldn't suggest anyone go through this..

blader

But what did they say they would do? Did you tell him how many people are having problems?

Shawn S

BLACK ???
I have yet to see anyone with BLACK colored Comptech Springs here.

Jonesi

He asked me if the ones I received were black. I said because I haven't received them yet..

Jonesi

I was told I'm out of warranty and they can't help me but will address others as they come..

Jonesi

Hopefully my springs will come today since they were shipped last monday.. I will verify the color.. lol

Shawn S

They must be waiting for the guy to get back from Home Depot with the RustOleum to finish your order.

Jonesi

On a serious note.. Does anyone here have Black comptech springs? Is everybody's Silver ?

Edit - Mine are rust orange

blader

They ran out of black sharpie markers.

I purchased mine in September 03, almost one year ago, and mine are silver. If they really did go to black springs then they must've made the switch pretty recently, like within the last few months.

Shawn S

Website still shows SILVER pictures and they mention it in the description:

LiQiCE

Damn the pictures that jonesi has are crazy. There's definitely something wrong with the springs. I've got Tein SS Coilovers with almost a year and a half on them, and I've got over 10k on them and they look brand new. I clean them every so often to get rid of some of the sand and dirt inside and everytime I've checked, I haven't seen any rust. Just a note for anyone interested in the Tein SS coilovers or springs.

Also, the ride height is fully adjustable up to stock ride height and down to about 3"s dropped ... So you could easily stick with the Comptech ride height. And with the dampening adjustment, you could have the car ride harder or softer. Not quite as soft as stock, but probably softer than the Comptech ride.

blxmjx was doing a groupbuy over in the black market a short time ago. You might want to hit him up and see if he can start another groupbuy. I bought my Teins from him, and he was great to deal with.

Just trying to give a heads up to those of you interested in the Teins.

manitou

I own an Anthricite Grey 6speed CL-S. My Comptech Springs hav ethe black coating. I've had them over one year and no rust problems. I live in Lake Orion Mi SNOW, ICE SALT etc. etc. See if Comptech will exchange yours for the black coating springs.
AEM:CAIw/turbo 4twisters inserted,pullys. Comptech: springs,sways,axilbackexaust,header, ESM.
Hypervoltage Ground System. polyeurothane bushings throughout.
Sumotomo HTR 23517X45 Corners like a dream. Quick has fooled a few G35's

Jonesi

Ok, there's one with black coating.. Maybe this was a real recent change.. I suggest others give comptech a call.. Unfortunately this is a expensive fix for me but this may help others in the future.. Act on it now while others are noticing problems and this could possibly be addresed or fixed for all..

Edit - We're beyond a 2 to 1 ratio in our poll which shows there are some issues at hand..

Red-CL

Can't be recent.

He said he had them for over a year now..

I'm confused.

Bluto

Those pics are terrible.

Not only did Comptech serve up a shit sandwich, the glass of water to wash it down has a turd floating in it.


I hope they find a way to keep their current customers happy. They sold a lot of TL/CL springs.

manitou

I had these springs origanally on my 01CL-S and transfered them onto my 03 6speed. I turned in the 01 due to the a/t issues. These springs came with the black coating. I have not seen any rust or other problems

ChadT

Interesting. I would bet the black ones are from a different supplier. That's what makes me nervous about getting another set of springs that advertise the same drop. I worry that they would just be the same ones. This could be good news for those of us within the warranty period.

hemants

Maybe someone needs to drop the word "class action lawsuit" on someone at Comptech.

Anyone angry and resourceful enough to take this on? Is there a lawyer in the house?

Out of warranty - yes. Meet or exceed OEM standards - no.

ch1276

anyone know how long the warranty is for?

Jonesi

All I can say is call them to find out more details, all I got from them was Black = good, Silver = bad.. But like I said I was unable to get a hold of a QC rep.. I also work in QC so I was looking for some sort of resolve or corrective action..

ChadT

2yrs

Jonesi

2 years...

Jonesi

I bought my car off a fellow member from here so I'm sure I can dig up some info on the install and original purchase.. I'm pissed because I'm out $600+ just on the springs and labor and springs again..

manitou

wE SHOULD ALL AS A GROUP WRITE COMPTECH about this issue. If someone in the group is a lawyer it might help force the warranty coverage and any exceptions given their claim for GREAT
QUALITY that they back on their parts

rbf351

i got mine on march 1st, brand new from comptech and mine are silver

NOLACLS

HOley chit!! I have been following your spring problems Jonesi but now with this thread I will have to check mine. I got them used from a Cali guy so they have never seen salt and snow...just LOTS of water. I cant remember if mine are silver or black but I want to say black. I will be looking tonight and seeing what is going on in there!!

I cant believe how bad some of yalls springs look

NOLACLS

I just looked at mine and they look black to me. They might just be covered with road grime but they look black and have NO rust at all. I have had them for a little over 2 years and 45k miles. I also got them used from a Cali member so they have seen any salt or snow...lots of water tho.

Now I was just looking through my wheel well gap so tonight I will jack up the car and scrub one of the springs to make sure its black. I will also snap some pics...but as far as I can see there is 0 rust.

ChadT

Anyone else reporting no rust have the black ones?

Jonesi

Yes, I guess I am the guinea pig for this.. It's cool though..

CLpower

a good powdercoating job is pretty tough to scuff up that bad. It can be done, don't get me wrong