AST's, EXE-TC, etc etc your coil over problems!
 

Basicly we all know how good they are when working but what faults/failures/problems have you all had with your coil overs?

be interesting to read and see if there is a running theme with any!

also if possable include price for fixing


ste :thumb:

None with my Teins

My AST's knocked on the rear on my old classic shape Impreza. Apparantly the problem is unfixable. Am planning to go for EXE-TC's on my 2005 Sti very soon so would be interested to hear if the knocking is still a problem on the newer shaped cars.... ie. 05/06/07 bla bla bla !!!!

had tein superstreets for nearly a year now, and touchwood, had no problems whatsoever, and they are fitted to a my94 sti wagon, which tein apparantly dont make them for, because the rear is not adjustable for camber as standard, had to have camber bolts from whiteline which made enough camber for them to be fitted and set up properly. a bit hard for everyday driving, but no doubt about it have transformed the car and it is remarkably focused and along with adjustable anti roll bar, droplinks and anti lift kit, handles like nothing ive ever driven before.

We have only had one reported failure with the Apex units on Imprezas to date and that was from new, it was a faulty unit from the factory. We sent out a new damper and problem fixed.

We charge £75 inc vat per damper as a replacement if they fail outside the warrenty period. We dont ask you to send the whole strut back, we just send you a replacement damper unit and you or your mechanic just swaps the old bottom mount, locking collars etc to the new unit and job done. We dont sell many replacement dampers as theyre a very reliable unit so theres not been much need in the 5 years we have been selling them. We have sold thousands of sets to date so theyre proving to hold up well to the nasty British winters :)

We carry a wide range of spares including new top mounts, bottom mounts etc so if you slide into a kerb or similar then we can get you back ont he road quick smart. We also carry a range of different spring rates so you can alter the feel of the suspension to suit your preferences.

If we dont have the parts you need in stock then we have absolutely no qualms about pulling a complete kit to bits to minimise any delays. No waiting 4 weeks for replacement parts from Japan here ;)

Just had my exe-tc replaced after 16 months due to corrsion of the gold outer cases ! but at a cost to me !!!

Now have the new stainless system, but have now developed after a week a bad rear end knock !

Please let us know what EXE-TC have to say about this. Been looking at getting a set of their fast adjustable coilovers.
You are the first person I have heard about who has had problems ... interested to know if there are any other people out there with similar issues before I shell out a whole lot of cash?

Good thread, lots of useful info :thumb:

Me too - I am investigating coilovers and exe-tc have a good pedigree but a weak website. Their only saving grace is their WRC experience - I suppose they are too good to worry about impressing us mortala, and racing shox don't need to last long...

Exe-TC are supposed to be the best but now I am wondering. I need something that can be rebuilt.

Bren has almost persuaded me and this note might tip the balance.

I have AST's on my 02 Sti. Went all the way down south to have them fitted, had a leak on the front NS when the adjusting screw came loose after a hard track day at KH several months later and Curtis sent me a replaced for same with no issues whatsoever. Okay, I had to have the strut changed locally, at my cost, but the after service was first class. No quibbles or questions. Now that is worth a lot IMHO.

Jools

Im so sure of my product that Ill do an absolute no quibble 1 month money back guarentee if you dont like my coilovers. I know youll fit them and be happy so its a no risk offer for my part but it gives you a completely open door to back out if youre not impressed ;)

Is that offer open to everyone Bren? Also I want a fairly soft ride with the adjustability of your shocks what is the softest spring rate you can do with your coilovers?

A mate has Tein SuperStreets on his. They seem to clunk a bit when cornering sometimes. Also (sometimes) when going over little bumps/humps in the road you can hear a sort of "whhoossh" noise, lol, if you get what I mean, is this the gas in the shocks? Are they on their way out as they were only purchased beginning of the year?

I've had AST coilovers fitted for over 2 years now and they've performed flawlessly. When I talked to Curtis about making them as compliant as possible for the sh1te roads up here, he re-valved them free of charge with superb results :thumb:

Going down to Powerstation at end of the month so Curtis can give the shocks a full service (my choice even though they're not due for another year). It's service like that which would make me think twice about switiching to another brand no matter how good they're supposed to be :)

Maybe all you chaps who have fitted coilovers could list here who has what:

got a loud knocking/clunking noise comming from the rear passengers side on my Cusco`s, dont think there rebuildable either :freak3:

will probably look into a set of Apex`s when i have some spare cash

It turned out to be the oe n/s rear top mount, replaced both sides with a exe-tc solid metal top mounts, slighty more road noise.
Will be replacing the fronts with adjustables when they have some in stock

What's the recommended service interval for AST's then? Mine are over 3 years old now, and I had an advisory at the last MOT that the nsr rear shock might need replacing in due course.

I think Curtis quoted me about 3 years. Of course, they can go longer between services but I guess it all depends on how much abuse they've had

Glad I've seen this thread.

I'm going to see Curtis again on Thursday. I have the Powerstation Stage 3 kit fitted to my02 sti with upper front brace.

At rally GB last year my front o/s strut failed. Rang Curtis and booked me in straight away and replaced the strut under warranty.

Now my n/s rear strut has a problem. Makes a "thud" / "banging" noise after you come off of the motorway and at low speeds. On the motorway you can't hear it very much(ok mostly down to the 3" team ice system) but soon as you come off the motorway it makes a horrible noise. But if I go in the 1st lane of a motorway and say stick to 60mph or so and go on the lorry gruves or we there is a join in the tarmac I get a noise that reminds me of a small container with nuts/botls in rattling.

Other than the annoying noise at the mo I can't fault the AST's or Curtis on a whole. In fact I highly recommend Curtis at AST/Powerstation not only for being a top bloke but his advice and after service.

Steve

Have had exe-tc on mine for the past 18 months - absolutely love them.

Incredible on the road and the track but without the downside of a harsh ride that is found in other coilovers.

I had the same problem - increasingly loud clunking at the rear on the left side. Sometimes a steady lound thumping, sometimess a faster rattle. It was the scissor jack in its silly little housing where you have to screw it open a bit to make it hold itself tight. Best suspension mod I have found yet, heh heh... but AST's are on my list as soon as the damn banks stop nickin' me dosh...

What's involved in this service and any idea on cost..?

dynamix exe-tc are my next purchase. which do you have on, fast road or circuit & track as i know you do time attack in yours. track days are all i use mine for
cheers andy

Which version do you run Dynamix?

Seems everyone wants to know :lol:

AST's are very good. Never had a problem with them. I'm on solid top mounts which tend to knock a bit, but that is to be expected.

Just the fast road version :thumb:

Do the AST come with rubber top mounts or can I use the OE top mounts with them? A common problem with coilovers is the lack of rubber top mounts hence they tend to knock.
Cheers :)

New set of AST 3 way coilovers failed on first hillclimb. A rubber seal on the external canister popped spraying the oil all over engine bay and onto windscreen.

Just happened to be hammering through a third gear corner, the car lost grip at the front for a second or two and i though I was a goner straight down the ravine. Saved it somehow and kept on going as I was so focused that I did not even notice all the oil on the windscreen.

Removed from car free of charge and couriered form Cyprus to Holland? and replaced. No cost to me apart from soiled race suit.

Back on car but have not tried again in anger.

No problems with AST single adjustable on the STi to date.