Tag Archives: Multi-Link

Coilover Mixing Headaches

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Hey Everyone! Back again with some more tech tips which hopefully help out with you TEIN coilover systems.

Generally around this time of the year we receive many TEIN dampers sent in for our overhaul service. Most customers are looking to do a base repair and possibly consider some replacement parts for the dampers.

P1070270 (Small)

However, some times the parts they are looking for may not exactly be a TEIN part. Some coilover kits we offer at times may not come with the pillowball uppermount as a feature desired and the customer decided to look elsewhere for a mount that they can adapt to the coilover system. Although some companies do claim that their pillow mounts would work with multiple manufacturers, the possiblilty of a misinstallation is still there, as you can see from the attached photos.

P1070284 (Small) P1070281 (Small) P1070279 (Small)

 

Most pillow mounts offered utilize the following components:

1) A  design-specific lower collar or washer which the bottom of the mount would sit against on the damper piston shaft.

2) A collar or pillow nut (Pillow nuts commonly used on Macpherson strut type dampers) used above the mount to center and maintain the mount bearing to the piston shaft.

3) A top nut (Commonly used on Multi-link type dampers) to secure the mount to the piston shaft.

Even if used on the dampers it may not be the correct type/design for the piston shaft causing the mount to be loose creating noise during normal operation and/or odd wear to the the piston shaft surface which can eventually lead to a break on the shaft, or can even catastrophic internal damages due to a design flaw which would allow the component to bypass the bump stop and max out the damper stroke.

P1070272 (Small) P1070271 (Small) P1070276 (Small)

All of these situations can definitely take a bit out of you wallet and give you a bad headache. With the details and photos shown, I do caution anyone who does consider mix-n-matching coilover system components. Make sure that fitment is solid, and check the fitment if any noises are heard And if multiple collars are required to properly mount, you may want to consider not using the mounts and whether going with another type or just sticking with the coilover manufacturers recommendations. It would save you time, money, and a bad headache.

Multi-Link Suspensions and MacPherson Suspension-Camber Adjustability

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There has been many customers inquiring about the Upper Mounts with Camber adjustability.

Yes, we do offer Upper Mounts with Camber adjustability and they are offered for certain applications, with MacPherson Struts type suspension.

Here is a quick look at a MacPherson strut and why it is able to be used with a Camber plate.

MacPherson Strut Type – A design in which the strut connects to the hub assembly directly to the chassis of the vehicle. No upper arm is used to control the movement of the hub. This design usually allows the camber and caster angle of the suspension to be adjusted from the upper mounts. Some vehicles with front struts may not use camber adjustable mounts because of limited space in the strut tower or major design differences of upper mount designs.

 

Multi-Link aka Shock Type – Independent or multi-link type suspensions utilize a shock. An upper and lower control are used to control movement of the hub. (double A-Arm, wishbone, etc…). This design does not allow camber or caster adjustment to be made from the upper mounts since all it will be doing is moving the coil over from one side to the other without adjusting camber since it does not bolt on directly to the hub for camber or caster adjustments.

 

The Upper Mount below is a Camber Adjustable plate offered for some applications with MacPherson type Coilovers.

The below Pillow Ball Upper Mount is for Multi-Link Suspension it is not camber adjustable but it is a good replacement of the OEM Upper Mount since a NWB spherical bearing is used in place of the rubber bushing, which allows for improved tire grip and more accurate wheel alignment.