Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 02:14 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
On my track car I have a set of Kei Office coilovers. Does anyone have any technical information on them, or know where I can find it? They have 4 adjustments on them- I assume 1 is softest, 4 hardest. As they are on the track car I haven't had the chance to play with them. From what I have read they seem to be a pretty decent coilover, with a definite track focus.
The lower mounting bush has been flogged out. Does anyone know if theses are easily replaceable. I had planned on buying a pair of HSD HR to go in the front to match the rears, but if I can get these fixed cheaply then I may give that a go.
Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 07:37 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
I have read on some forums that HSD actually made the Kei office coilovers. I can't vouch for the info, but that is interesting. Pity Otomoto can't be bothered answering emails...
I have sent an email to the place I bought my Teins from, to see if they could service the Keis.
Monday, November 10, 2008 - 06:54 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
Thanks for your unhelpful comment and uninformed opinion. The email was an enquiry about buying their coilovers. If they think that is funny, I'm effing Danny Devito.
The car came with older kei office coilovers in the front and brand new HSD HR in the rear. By 'matching the rears' I mean purchasing the same HSD HRs for the front.
Plenty of "High profile Japanese" aftermarket parts are made elsewhere, like Korea and China, and assembled at said high profile workshop. They have the same labour cost issues as every other developed country.
As it is MY track car I'll do whatever I think best suits my needs.
Thank you again for focusing on the issue, which as a gentle reminder, was whether any body knows if and where you can service or rebuild Kei office coilovers.
Monday, November 10, 2008 - 08:10 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
Yeah, got a reply today. He can sell me the front pair for $800. Looks like it may be the better solution in the long term, as there is some significant burring on the mounting hole. Just more money leaving my wallet at this time of year is starting to hurt.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 01:12 pm, by: Dave Cazes(Cazman)
You will find that most "jap" coilovers arnet made by the host companies, they are made by a Shock absorber factory, as in JIC are made by KYB, it says it on the dampers when you pull it apart.
It is too much of a delicate art for 1 company to all of a sudden start specialising in maybe 30 diff makes and models for a relativley limited prodcution run. Thats why they are outsourced and rebadged, but built to the host companies specs etc.
I understand what you are saying about "jap" made in korea etc. For a prodcut to have a japanese made label, it must be made form over 50% of japanese materials or assembled/boxed up with 50% time in japan.
But in saying that, just because they are contacting "korea" to make it doesnt mean that they are making them to the strict standards that you would get form a true japanese/USA company.
Oh no one can rebuild your coilovers..... well that is, there is the shock rebuilder in vic or syd, but they dont last long.
Fulcrum wont, toperformance wont, sydney shocks wont, i have asked them all for my customers requests. They basically say, they are trying to teach you a lesson, the lesson is dont buy you cant service here. Its a bad way to go, buy Australian made or delivered, help our country where you can.
Anyway, HSD arent that bad, of the cheapie they are the best really, but can you get specs on your dampers? NO, no one will give them out and Im sure otomoto dont know either. They are decent in terms of design, ie monotube and big bore, base height, but they are as generic as the toilet paper you wipe your ass with.
They are sold in 6 diff countries under 3 known diff brands. Why do they need many diff brand names? To tap into diff markets or to start fresh after tarnishing their name in one country. D2 and G4 are another more common generic brand.
The main reason I say they are not for the serious track user is becuse they are buy it and your done with them. You cannot alter/ repair the valving in them, they use a primitive valve stack, and dont have the longest life span (3 years is expected max)
You may think that that top knob is great, but it doesnt offer enough scope for a change of spring rates.
Just curiuos what is your track setup? PM me if you like. The main thing im interested in is your CWG heights adn spring rates, as well as what other alignment products your using.
Oh and keep looking around for cheaper prices that $800, you can get em cheaper
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 06:23 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
Dave,
way to take the wind out of my sails
I have a guy at work who is going to have a look at them for me. He is thinking about boring out the mount and re-sleeving it to take a readily available bush. The bushes are that far gone there is some evidence of metal to metal contact. This does not bode well for their overall condition...
... they look OK, but the previous owner could have cleaned em up prior to sale. I wont know until I drive it in anger.
The only other alignment/adjustable product I have on the car right now apart from the Coilovers are the Selby adjustable sway bars.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 08:20 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
I saw it in a few places, but you know how the internet can be. Information flow, both accurate or not, is extremely fast. Chances are one bloke said it and is was quoted as fact elsewhere. This is why I only take what I get off the net as a guide, and try and find a HUMAN in a LEGITIMATE business (with a GOOD NAME to PROTECT!) to confirm or deny my 'research'.
It is also a significant reason I want to get to cruises and other SC/ALSC events. I can put a name to a face and start to form an opinion on the validity of their word. Take Lew for instance. After an hour or two yapping to him in his workshop (I didn't spend a cent!) I believe I can completely take him on his word.
If you read the HSD website, though, they do state they have been supplying the Japanese aftermarket with componentry for years...
Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 11:18 am, by: Jeffrey Lloyd(Treekiller)
I know it's old but we have contracted a damper supplier here in the states to produce replacement dampers we can ship just the inserts as for the bushings. This happens to the supra bushings all the time. Kei used too soft a rubber. I produce them locally out of delrin. Which any local machine shop with a lathe should be able to do for you.
If you need the dampers valves for any spring or purpose my lead time is about 3 weeks
food for thought the American dollar is in the toilet right now so exchange rates are more favorable then past
call the shop 1-813-333-1100 sorry if this is old but I've only recently begun producing these parts for the drifters.