FF type 1 issue.
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
FF type 1 issue.
Hello AcuraZine,
So I am not a suspension guru by any means, but maybe some of the more technical guys and gals here can help.
I recently bought my 1st TL, (04 A-spec). The car came with some light modifications, the main one being Function and Form Type 1 coilovers.
For the most part, the car rides fine over bumps, the main issue is the driver side front that just feels overly stiff/aggressive when going over the smallest bumps on the road.
so I decided to get the car checked at the local shop and they could not find anything wrong with the any of the bushings and joints that are associated with the suspension.
When I got home I decided to remove the strut bar and behold, I noticed something very peculiar, and I would like to share some images with y'all and maybe help me figure out why the driver side coilover is sitting so much more higher than the passenger side.
So I am not a suspension guru by any means, but maybe some of the more technical guys and gals here can help.
I recently bought my 1st TL, (04 A-spec). The car came with some light modifications, the main one being Function and Form Type 1 coilovers.
For the most part, the car rides fine over bumps, the main issue is the driver side front that just feels overly stiff/aggressive when going over the smallest bumps on the road.
so I decided to get the car checked at the local shop and they could not find anything wrong with the any of the bushings and joints that are associated with the suspension.
When I got home I decided to remove the strut bar and behold, I noticed something very peculiar, and I would like to share some images with y'all and maybe help me figure out why the driver side coilover is sitting so much more higher than the passenger side.
#2
Senior Moderator
Looks like a half assed/botched install.. or some body work /accident damage
Get rid of those POS and get some proper coils, stat!
Get rid of those POS and get some proper coils, stat!
The following users liked this post:
Chaviago (05-19-2016)
The following users liked this post:
Chaviago (05-19-2016)
#4
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I would assume that it was miss installed, or possibly even the wrong coilovers. As far as it being a POS, yeah, I hate them. Already ordered my Tein street Flex dampers, but they don't get in for another 2 weeks. I would love to figure out how to fix these to sell and recuperate some cash.
#5
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Already ordered my Teins, just have to wait it out, I was actually thinking about painting and drilling holes on the top of the strut bar, to gain easier access to adjust the damper rates once I get the Teins on. But I would still like to hear out what the heck can cause this.
The following 2 users liked this post by justnspace:
Chaviago (05-19-2016),
rockstar143 (05-20-2016)
#7
Senior Moderator
I would assume that it was miss installed, or possibly even the wrong coilovers. As far as it being a POS, yeah, I hate them. Already ordered my Tein street Flex dampers, but they don't get in for another 2 weeks. I would love to figure out how to fix these to sell and recuperate some cash.
2. Clean up POS
3. take pics of said POS
4. Sell them to someone here: Car Parts for Sale - AcuraZine Community
or to be honest, find some sucker on the 3G facebook group or Craigslist to buy them
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#8
Senior Moderator
And before you ask for a DIY on how to remove and install coilovers:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-t...-091-a-816065/
HERE you go!
oh and whalecum
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-t...-091-a-816065/
HERE you go!
oh and whalecum
#9
Intermediate
Thread Starter
#10
Intermediate
Thread Starter
And before you ask for a DIY on how to remove and install coilovers:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-t...-091-a-816065/
HERE you go!
oh and whalecum
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-t...-091-a-816065/
HERE you go!
oh and whalecum
#11
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
but a buddy was putting together his coilovers +tophats.
I think we missed a washer in the top hat. (some coils have different washers that may or not be needed, we didnt think we need or we missed installing it)
we didnt notice until we put the car on the ground and the shock shaft went through the opening, just like yours.
#12
Senior Moderator
i'm not sure if FF's come pre-assembled.
but a buddy was putting together his coilovers +tophats.
I think we missed a washer in the top hat. (some coils have different washers that may or not be needed, we didnt think we need or we missed installing it)
we didnt notice until we put the car on the ground and the shock shaft went through the opening, just like yours.
but a buddy was putting together his coilovers +tophats.
I think we missed a washer in the top hat. (some coils have different washers that may or not be needed, we didnt think we need or we missed installing it)
we didnt notice until we put the car on the ground and the shock shaft went through the opening, just like yours.
but like i said, sounds like a shitty install
or TBH, maybe just the one strut failed so it's hitting the strut bar now
#14
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Justnspace and thoiboi, I think what I'm going to do is hang tight for my new sets to come in, pull the old ones out and do a side by side comparison to really determine whether or not it's a missing piece or just screwed up strut.
Do you think riding without the upper strut bar would be wise to prevent the top of the strut from running and grinding on the inside of the strut bar? Or is the strut bar saving the strut from going even higher and causing much more serious issues.
Do you think riding without the upper strut bar would be wise to prevent the top of the strut from running and grinding on the inside of the strut bar? Or is the strut bar saving the strut from going even higher and causing much more serious issues.
The following users liked this post:
Chaviago (05-19-2016)
#16
Senior Moderator
keep it on mang.
The following users liked this post:
Chaviago (05-19-2016)
#18
DOOD!
You are lucky that strut bar was there and designed to cover the shock rod. If it wasn't, you would now have a nice hole in your hood. The part that is missing is called the bump-stop plate. You are DEFINITELY missing it. It's a hugely thick washer that sandwiches the top & bottom upper mount bushings. It's job is to control the motion of the damper in compression (also called bump). Without it, your damper rod is banging around every time that wheel rises. It's also slowly making it's way through that shock tower brace (and eventually your hood).
The missing piece is part #13 in the following image. It's essentially a beefed up version of the metal washer you can see on the top in your photo (#1 in my image).
The following parts are absolutely mandatory to control any shock absorber setup in top to bottom order.
17
5
6
15
6
13
BTW: That #13 bump stop plate is ~$5 at your local dealer. They will most likely have to order it.
You are lucky that strut bar was there and designed to cover the shock rod. If it wasn't, you would now have a nice hole in your hood. The part that is missing is called the bump-stop plate. You are DEFINITELY missing it. It's a hugely thick washer that sandwiches the top & bottom upper mount bushings. It's job is to control the motion of the damper in compression (also called bump). Without it, your damper rod is banging around every time that wheel rises. It's also slowly making it's way through that shock tower brace (and eventually your hood).
The missing piece is part #13 in the following image. It's essentially a beefed up version of the metal washer you can see on the top in your photo (#1 in my image).
The following parts are absolutely mandatory to control any shock absorber setup in top to bottom order.
17
5
6
15
6
13
BTW: That #13 bump stop plate is ~$5 at your local dealer. They will most likely have to order it.
Last edited by 94eg!; 05-19-2016 at 10:40 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by 94eg!:
Chaviago (05-20-2016),
rockstar143 (05-20-2016)
#19
Intermediate
Thread Starter
DOOD!
You are lucky that strut bar was there and designed to cover the shock rod. If it wasn't, you would now have a nice hole in your hood. The part that is missing is called the bump-stop plate. You are DEFINITELY missing it. It's a hugely thick washer that sandwiches the top & bottom upper mount bushings. It's job is to control the motion of the damper in compression (also called bump). Without it, your damper rod is banging around every time that wheel rises. It's also slowly making it's way through that shock tower brace (and eventually your hood).
The missing piece is part #13 in the following image. It's essentially a beefed up version of the metal washer you can see on the top in your photo (#1 in my image).
The following parts are absolutely mandatory to control any shock absorber setup in top to bottom order.
17
5
6
15
6
13
BTW: That #13 bump stop plate is ~$5 at your local dealer. They will most likely have to order it.
You are lucky that strut bar was there and designed to cover the shock rod. If it wasn't, you would now have a nice hole in your hood. The part that is missing is called the bump-stop plate. You are DEFINITELY missing it. It's a hugely thick washer that sandwiches the top & bottom upper mount bushings. It's job is to control the motion of the damper in compression (also called bump). Without it, your damper rod is banging around every time that wheel rises. It's also slowly making it's way through that shock tower brace (and eventually your hood).
The missing piece is part #13 in the following image. It's essentially a beefed up version of the metal washer you can see on the top in your photo (#1 in my image).
The following parts are absolutely mandatory to control any shock absorber setup in top to bottom order.
17
5
6
15
6
13
BTW: That #13 bump stop plate is ~$5 at your local dealer. They will most likely have to order it.
#21
Intermediate
Thread Starter
#24
If you get in there and find it's the lower bushing that failed, you will DEFINITELY want to check the other 3 dampers for similar deterioration.
Last edited by 94eg!; 05-20-2016 at 10:12 AM.
The following users liked this post:
justnspace (05-20-2016)
#26
Intermediate
Thread Starter
It is possible they missed it, or it's also possible it failed and the step in the piston-rod punched it's way trough. It's also possible the washer is still there and just the lower bushing failed and blew out. If the shocks come pre-assembled, I'm more inclined to think the bushing is gone.
If you get in there and find it's the lower bushing that failed, you will DEFINITELY want to check the other 3 dampers for similar deterioration.
If you get in there and find it's the lower bushing that failed, you will DEFINITELY want to check the other 3 dampers for similar deterioration.
#27
Intermediate
Thread Starter
#28
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Alright Gents, finally got my Teins Street Flex in and went in for operation. After removing the FF coilovers I decided to dismantle the problem coilover and boom! 94eg! was right, the bump stop plate was toast, it wasn't missing though, but in the pic, I have a good and on the right side and the bent one on the left. As a result, the strut suffered and is blown. I know they sell replacement struts for FF, but I'd leave that up to the buyer of any. Case Closed!
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