Tag Archives: Service

Overhaul Repair Cost Confusions

Posted on by

Recently it seems that many Overhaul customers whom have sent in their dampers for service have been under the assumption that the overhaul repair base price includes any other parts which may be needed or replaced. However, this is not correct.

As an example, I will use the Super Street coilover overhaul base price. The base cost for the repairs, which includes damper oil, seals, nitrogen gas recharge, o-rings, and overhaul labor is $75.00 per damper. This service does not include (should they be required) any other internal or external components such as piston rod, piston valve, bump stop, dust boot, etc.

The area highlighted in white and blue on all three images shown below detail this info.

OH.Page.2

OH.Page.1

A few customers have claimed to have been told over the phone by a TEIN Staff that the total cost to repair one damper would be our listed base prices (ex. Super Street $75/ HA $80/ Type Flex $100) and would include extra parts, which is incorrect. These notes are also detailed on our overhaul agreement form which is the customer is to fill in and sign agreeing upon the terms of the service, and sent in with the dampers.

OH.Form

We would just like to bring this to everyone’s attention as to try and avoid any future confusion as well as show everyone that we do express the possibililty of extra charges for the service on top of the standard overhaul service.

Overhaul Pricing

Posted on by

Now, I know we list an overhaul starting price on our website. However, we do know that some customers are a little confused when we give them a quote higher than what they may find listed. I’m hoping to clarify on this matter a little bit.

On our Service page on www.tein.com, you will find a link to our Overhaul Price List. You can find a list just like the above image which is the starting price for our overhaul service, as well as revalve service (if you plan on having the dampers matched to a specific spring rate). Again, this is just the starting price for the work covering new seals, damper fluid, nitrogen gas fill, and labor.

However when we receive your dampers, we have our in-house engineer inspect the dampers to assess any damage or potential damage from the original parts. As you can imagine, there are a lot of moving components that comprise the complete damper. In some cases, we can reuse many internal parts. But in the event that an engineer finds a part to be under specification, we will suggest to replace those items. If you’ve ever received a quote much higher than the starting price, it is because of these findings.

This picture shows what type of internal parts may need to be replaced for twin-tube type dampers (Basic, Super Street, Flex, Super Drift).

This list above is for mono tube damper-specific parts.

In all cases, our staff will go over the details with the customer to let them know what will possibly need to be replaced on the damper part by part. Again, we know that for some customers a high quote is not what they are expecting. We just take these extra steps before starting any work to make sure that the customer has an overhaul that is worthwhile and that will last just as long as an out-of-the-box kit.

*For the record, we’ve taken a customer’s request to reuse some of his old parts (a damaged piston shaft was one of them) when overhauling to save on some costs. The kit came back to us not too long after because the nitrogen charge ended up leaking out past the new seals.

So we will do whatever the customer requests, within reason. But believe me- we do so hesitantly.

We do, however, leave some new internal parts as only a recommendation to replace. But in many instances, it is probably best to take the engineer’s word when they suggest part replacement.

Of course, if you need some explanation or any assistance with your dampers you’re thinking of having serviced by us, please feel free to give our staff a call at 562-861-9161, and we will take the time to go over the service in detail for you.

Overhaul Results

Posted on by

Hello from the TEIN R&D Department. Some, if not most, of you own a set of our dampers. If it so happens that you do indeed own and use a set of Tein Dampers, sometime down the line the damper is going to need an overhaul.

Whether the damper is leaking or just not performing like it used to, we have all your Overhaul needs covered. Follow this link for some basic prices and information regarding your Overhaul Service.

Here, we’ll be using one of our Overhaul Customer’s dampers to show you what normally goes on during our Overhaul Service.

We can see that this customer’s damper has been leaking oil and has accumulated some dirt while being driven. (Remember everyone, check the conditions of your dampers often. If you see it beginning to leak send it in for servicing. Continued use of an already worn out damper can only do more harm.)

We’ve disassembled the damper and the parts are going to be washed.

One of the easiest ways for us to determine how badly your dampers needed servicing is by looking at the overall color and quantity of the oil that comes out of the damper. The oil on the Left is new shock absorber oil, and the oil on the left is what came out of the damper, you can see the color difference between the two. When compared with the amount of oil the damper should have had, the actual amount that came out is quite low. (Driving a shock absorber with little to no oil will have the same consequences as driving your engine with no oil, inner components will begin to wear down and need replacing, or in the worst cases we’ve seen, the dampers are completely irreparable.)

After the parts are washed and inspected further, worn down parts will be replaced.

After everything is put back together you have a damper that performs just as it did out of the box and looks almost like it did out of the box. (Our dampers are originally powder coated. If the paint is beginning to fade or peel, to get it back to looking like brand new the damper would require a re-powder coating service. Unfortunately, we do not have that service available.)

Our recommended Overhaul Service interval is 3 Years/36,000 Miles if the damper is used only for daily driving/paved road use. If your dampers see track time or off-road time then your recommended Service Interval will be shorter. Vice versa if the dampers are used on a “Saturday Night or Weekend Special” car then your Service Interval will be longer.

Bottom line, check your dampers’ condition often. If you see oil or if they’re not performing like they used to then send them on in. We’ll make them look and feel like new.