Suspension Overhaul and part numbers
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Suspension Overhaul and part numbers
Sup dudes, me again....
I am planning on replacing suspension on my 05 Acura TL. I have never replaced the rear since I've had it and have had monroe struts in the front (which I think kinda suck). I want to stick with OEM but am having trouble finding the part numbers. Can I replace the struts using the same ole springs ive had on my car or do I need to replace those as well? I was also thinking of using Tein S. Tech lowering Springs on the OEM struts. Is that sufficient and/or safe? What small parts or the suspension need to be replaced and not re-used? I'm talking bushings, strut tops, insulators, stoppers, etc or will this all come with the struts that I buy?
I am planning on replacing suspension on my 05 Acura TL. I have never replaced the rear since I've had it and have had monroe struts in the front (which I think kinda suck). I want to stick with OEM but am having trouble finding the part numbers. Can I replace the struts using the same ole springs ive had on my car or do I need to replace those as well? I was also thinking of using Tein S. Tech lowering Springs on the OEM struts. Is that sufficient and/or safe? What small parts or the suspension need to be replaced and not re-used? I'm talking bushings, strut tops, insulators, stoppers, etc or will this all come with the struts that I buy?
- part numbers
- replace or reuse accessories
- Tein lowering springs ok to use with OEM struts?
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Check bernardiparts.com. They have illustrations with part numbers. They're a Honda/Acura dealer.
I would either buy replacement ASSEMBLIES from Honda with springs and all parts assembled...or would buy Tein SA coilovers instead of springs and stock shocks.
I would either buy replacement ASSEMBLIES from Honda with springs and all parts assembled...or would buy Tein SA coilovers instead of springs and stock shocks.
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The cost of springs combined with stock shocks is like....$500-600+. The stock shocks aren't brilliant, and neither are Tein S techs. You'll be stuck at 1 ride height. The ride quality will be ok.
As an alternative, you can buy aftermarket shocks from companies like Koni. They improve upon the stock design. They pair a bit better with lowering springs. But now the cost is $800ish.
I would also opt for H&R Sport (not race) or Eibach Prokit (not sportline) springs rather than Tein.
Or:
The cost of a set of SA's is also $575-600ish. You get a matched shock and spring combo. The damping is adjustable. The height is cusomizable.
If your budget is expandable:
Admittedly, Koni Yellow shocks are a lot better than the shocks Tein makes for the SA kit. A Koni yellow based coilover (Koni Yellow shocks, Ground control springs/sleeves) is $900-1kish, if you're interested in spending more.
Or...H&R sells a Bilstein based coilover kit. They're about $1k+. I love Bilsteins...but I think, for the price and features, the Koni based kit is better.
As an alternative, you can buy aftermarket shocks from companies like Koni. They improve upon the stock design. They pair a bit better with lowering springs. But now the cost is $800ish.
I would also opt for H&R Sport (not race) or Eibach Prokit (not sportline) springs rather than Tein.
Or:
The cost of a set of SA's is also $575-600ish. You get a matched shock and spring combo. The damping is adjustable. The height is cusomizable.
If your budget is expandable:
Admittedly, Koni Yellow shocks are a lot better than the shocks Tein makes for the SA kit. A Koni yellow based coilover (Koni Yellow shocks, Ground control springs/sleeves) is $900-1kish, if you're interested in spending more.
Or...H&R sells a Bilstein based coilover kit. They're about $1k+. I love Bilsteins...but I think, for the price and features, the Koni based kit is better.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Birmingham, AL
What about coilovers? I was looking at these Function & Form Type 1 Coilovers Acura TL (2004-2008) F2-TLT1
What are you guys' opinions on struts and spring leaf vs. Coilovers? Are these easily adjustable?
What are you guys' opinions on struts and spring leaf vs. Coilovers? Are these easily adjustable?
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Birmingham, AL
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The cost of springs combined with stock shocks is like....$500-600+. The stock shocks aren't brilliant, and neither are Tein S techs. You'll be stuck at 1 ride height. The ride quality will be ok.
As an alternative, you can buy aftermarket shocks from companies like Koni. They improve upon the stock design. They pair a bit better with lowering springs. But now the cost is $800ish.
I would also opt for H&R Sport (not race) or Eibach Prokit (not sportline) springs rather than Tein.
Or:
The cost of a set of SA's is also $575-600ish. You get a matched shock and spring combo. The damping is adjustable. The height is cusomizable.
If your budget is expandable:
Admittedly, Koni Yellow shocks are a lot better than the shocks Tein makes for the SA kit. A Koni yellow based coilover (Koni Yellow shocks, Ground control springs/sleeves) is $900-1kish, if you're interested in spending more.
Or...H&R sells a Bilstein based coilover kit. They're about $1k+. I love Bilsteins...but I think, for the price and features, the Koni based kit is better.
As an alternative, you can buy aftermarket shocks from companies like Koni. They improve upon the stock design. They pair a bit better with lowering springs. But now the cost is $800ish.
I would also opt for H&R Sport (not race) or Eibach Prokit (not sportline) springs rather than Tein.
Or:
The cost of a set of SA's is also $575-600ish. You get a matched shock and spring combo. The damping is adjustable. The height is cusomizable.
If your budget is expandable:
Admittedly, Koni Yellow shocks are a lot better than the shocks Tein makes for the SA kit. A Koni yellow based coilover (Koni Yellow shocks, Ground control springs/sleeves) is $900-1kish, if you're interested in spending more.
Or...H&R sells a Bilstein based coilover kit. They're about $1k+. I love Bilsteins...but I think, for the price and features, the Koni based kit is better.
Roland is very well versed in suspension topics, listen!! I too would have suggested either Koni Yellows or TEIN Street Advance so we're on the same page on this one
Thread Starter
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From: Birmingham, AL
I've been looking at TEIN Street advance. I am on their website and the 3g TL is literally not listed. it gives all other TL models except for 99-03 and 09-14. Would the Tein Street advance be the best bang for my buck? Considering comfort over adjustability but would like a lower car, even though everything on my TL is stock...
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per this site: https://www.heeltoeauto.com/shock-sp...-9uss2-41.html
This is the one you need: https://www.heeltoeauto.com/shock-sp...-9uss2-22.html
ATTENTION: The Tein Steet Advance for the 2004-08 Acura TL and 2003-07 Honda Accord have been discontinued and are now consolidated and sold as the Tein Street Advance Z (SAZ). Find more on the SAZ here: Tein's new Street Advance Z (SAZ) Coilover Versus The Outgoing Street Advance (SA)
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Sorry for all the questions. I've been talking to my buddy who is a Honda Tech and he suggests with Stance or BC......I value everyones opinion here... your takes on both Stance and BC suspension please
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What's your budget?! BC Racing coils are $1k..https://www.heeltoeauto.com/bc-racin...7-br-a-20.html
Reviews here: https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aacurazine.com+stance+coilovers+3g+ tl&oq=site%3Aacurazine.com+stance+coilovers+3g+tl& aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.5409j0j7&sourceid=chrome&i e=UTF-8#q=site:acurazine.com+bc+racing+coilovers+3g+tl&*
never heard of stance for the TL.
Reviews here: https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aacurazine.com+stance+coilovers+3g+ tl&oq=site%3Aacurazine.com+stance+coilovers+3g+tl& aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.5409j0j7&sourceid=chrome&i e=UTF-8#q=site:acurazine.com+bc+racing+coilovers+3g+tl&*
never heard of stance for the TL.
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Instructor
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also, between the TEIN,,,street advance z or Basis....? looking for comfort overall but also want a bit performance upgrade. Only reason I ask is my HOnda tech has a set of the basis that wil fit mine for $400
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Tein's quality definitely beats BC.
Stance is a local company and I know the guys. They've made big strides in their overall setup.
But for a street car, the BC and stance really just have a bunch of features that add cost and complexity without much payback in terms of useability unless you need to slam the car deep...deep into the earth.
Tein SA/Z's are single height adjustable...which provides better ride quality when they are used to MODERATELY lower the car.
Stance is a local company and I know the guys. They've made big strides in their overall setup.
But for a street car, the BC and stance really just have a bunch of features that add cost and complexity without much payback in terms of useability unless you need to slam the car deep...deep into the earth.
Tein SA/Z's are single height adjustable...which provides better ride quality when they are used to MODERATELY lower the car.
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Well....BC is Taiwanese.
Stance is...IDK where they're actually made.
Megan is Chinese or Taiwanese.
When Tein's Z line came out, it was advertised as being made in Yokohama, Japan. I no longer see that...so maybe they're manufactured in China now.
The advantage is that Tein (hopefully) still does their own R&D in Japan and the US.
You'd be surprised at what's manufactured in China, though. A lot of your Acura's parts probably are. I can be pretty certain that a lot of the cast parts are Chinese.
The engineering and component design is often times more important than manufacturing location.
If you want a US made coilover:
-It doesn't exist.
-JRZ or Penske will make you a system. Prepare to pay $5-10k+. Rebuild intervals are short, as they are mostly race systems.
There are Japan made coilovers available from Tein and other suppliers. Some are good...some are shit.
Europe:
-Bilstein
-Moton
-Öhlins
-KW/ST
ST STX is the only European made system within your price range. Meh. Had/have them. Theyre nice. Semi-prefer the Tein for just daily use.
Stance is...IDK where they're actually made.
Megan is Chinese or Taiwanese.
When Tein's Z line came out, it was advertised as being made in Yokohama, Japan. I no longer see that...so maybe they're manufactured in China now.
The advantage is that Tein (hopefully) still does their own R&D in Japan and the US.
You'd be surprised at what's manufactured in China, though. A lot of your Acura's parts probably are. I can be pretty certain that a lot of the cast parts are Chinese.
The engineering and component design is often times more important than manufacturing location.
If you want a US made coilover:
-It doesn't exist.
-JRZ or Penske will make you a system. Prepare to pay $5-10k+. Rebuild intervals are short, as they are mostly race systems.
There are Japan made coilovers available from Tein and other suppliers. Some are good...some are shit.
Europe:
-Bilstein
-Moton
-Öhlins
-KW/ST
ST STX is the only European made system within your price range. Meh. Had/have them. Theyre nice. Semi-prefer the Tein for just daily use.
I run ST-X coilovers on my S4 and lets just say ... you get what you pay for and I would not set my expectations high.
So ... Do they work? Yes.
Am I 100% satisfied? Meh, I'd give them a 6/10.
Even at a 1 finger gap all the way around (well within their specifications, far from slammed), the front of the car felt like it was on pogo sticks. I'm trying not to exaggerate here, but it was embarrassing driving down the freeway at times as it looked like my car was a Civic on cut springs. I raised it another half inch or so and while it doesn't ride like complete ass, it's still pretty stiff.
NOTE: They're an entry level coilover - if you want OEM / OHLIN / KWv3 level of ride quality, I would highly recommend saving and getting a proven setup and going that route.
If I were to do it over again, I would put lowering springs on OEM shocks or Bilsteins all day.
So ... Do they work? Yes.
Am I 100% satisfied? Meh, I'd give them a 6/10.
Even at a 1 finger gap all the way around (well within their specifications, far from slammed), the front of the car felt like it was on pogo sticks. I'm trying not to exaggerate here, but it was embarrassing driving down the freeway at times as it looked like my car was a Civic on cut springs. I raised it another half inch or so and while it doesn't ride like complete ass, it's still pretty stiff.
NOTE: They're an entry level coilover - if you want OEM / OHLIN / KWv3 level of ride quality, I would highly recommend saving and getting a proven setup and going that route.
If I were to do it over again, I would put lowering springs on OEM shocks or Bilsteins all day.
Last edited by TylerT; Mar 1, 2017 at 12:21 PM.
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I didn't really have an issue with the ST ride quality. It was more firm than Tein SA's, but the body control was definitely better, and they didn't float around like the Teins.
I dislike that they are galvanized instead of organic coated. Maybe organic coating is expensive in Europe...because all their coilover systems seem to be zinc plated or anodized. Not a big deal if you don't live in a state with salted roads.
I also dislike the plastic upper spring collar design. Though, I do like the plastic spring seats.
Overall, though, for things that matter on a street car, for an Acura, you'll be hard pressed to find something better at the entry level than Tein.
I dislike that they are galvanized instead of organic coated. Maybe organic coating is expensive in Europe...because all their coilover systems seem to be zinc plated or anodized. Not a big deal if you don't live in a state with salted roads.
I also dislike the plastic upper spring collar design. Though, I do like the plastic spring seats.
Overall, though, for things that matter on a street car, for an Acura, you'll be hard pressed to find something better at the entry level than Tein.
I didn't really have an issue with the ST ride quality. It was more firm than Tein SA's, but the body control was definitely better, and they didn't float around like the Teins.
I dislike that they are galvanized instead of organic coated. Maybe organic coating is expensive in Europe...because all their coilover systems seem to be zinc plated or anodized. Not a big deal if you don't live in a state with salted roads.
I also dislike the plastic upper spring collar design. Though, I do like the plastic spring seats.
Overall, though, for things that matter on a street car, for an Acura, you'll be hard pressed to find something better at the entry level than Tein.
I dislike that they are galvanized instead of organic coated. Maybe organic coating is expensive in Europe...because all their coilover systems seem to be zinc plated or anodized. Not a big deal if you don't live in a state with salted roads.
I also dislike the plastic upper spring collar design. Though, I do like the plastic spring seats.
Overall, though, for things that matter on a street car, for an Acura, you'll be hard pressed to find something better at the entry level than Tein.
I agree with the majority of your post, especially on the improved handling - body roll is reduced, turn-in feels crisper... All that is great, but I felt the ride quality was borderline unacceptable if you want a 1.5 - 2" drop all the way around. I guess in hindsight, beggers can't be choosers when you're buying $600-$800 coilovers
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What car did you run your ST coilovers on?
I agree with the majority of your post, especially on the improved handling - body roll is reduced, turn-in feels crisper... All that is great, but I felt the ride quality was borderline unacceptable if you want a 1.5 - 2" drop all the way around. I guess in hindsight, beggers can't be choosers when you're buying $600-$800 coilovers
I agree with the majority of your post, especially on the improved handling - body roll is reduced, turn-in feels crisper... All that is great, but I felt the ride quality was borderline unacceptable if you want a 1.5 - 2" drop all the way around. I guess in hindsight, beggers can't be choosers when you're buying $600-$800 coilovers
Idk what the shock travel situation is on Audis.
On TSX/TL/Accords, its definitely a bit limited, but still pretty long in comparison to a lot of other cars.
1.5 to 2" is a SIZEABLE drop, though, for most cars.
However, generally speaking to your setup, you would get LESS travel out of a Bilstein or another monotube shock unless it was shortened and/or had an external reservoir.
Last edited by BROlando; Mar 1, 2017 at 01:21 PM.
