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Okay, so basically those rubber "bump stops" (or whatever they're called) that the springs sit directly on top of on my Tein coilovers are all corroded, cracked, and broken to bits.  I was doing some work today and noticed that one of them actually looks like this:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3857944270_772155b99a.jpg)

This means that the spring is sitting directly on the metal seat thingy with no rubber protection.  My question is, is this bad and should they be replaced, or am I okay and it's no big deal since rubber just corrodes naturally?

I dunno, but I would think that the rubber serves a purpose...like keeping the metal to metal contact to a minimum. Geez now I gotta check mine, but didnt notice anything out of the norm last time I checked mine.

Wow, good question Dave, I remember removing a sliver of rubber from one of my coilovers a while back. I hope someone knows the answer to this.

Is that a condom you have covering the thread? :)

Just buy new ones from Tein.  They sell all kinds of replacement stuff for our suspension.  Call them first to find out which parts you need and then you can buy them here (http://www.tein.com/online_shop/wrench.html).

Arie - It's the stretch and seal I bought to cover the coilover threads from the elements, not a condom.

Tim - I know you can buy a bunch of parts directly from Tein, but my question was is it NECESSARY to have the rubber piece or are we good without it?  I really don't wanna have to remove all four coilovers just to install a piece of rubber if I don't have to.

BTW, we need to have another meet in your area, sunday was awesome.

Back OT: it will suck to disassemble the whole suspension to install a lousy rubber, but it also might help you to do it as a little preventative maintenance by giving you an opportunity to clean up and prep the coilovers for the upcoming winter .

I have the same issue right now with my current setup.  The rubber is only there to cut down on noise, but nothing else. If you hear a noise when you hit bumps (its a sort of clacking), then it's because your rubber insulators are gone.  It's not necessary to replace these, but if the clacking annoys you (which it does, me), replace them.

I would replace them to avoid any failure due to metal to metal contact.  It may be a pain in the ass to do, but it's not impossible to do with your suspension.  An ounce of prevention may be worthwhile.

That's what I figured.  Tein sells these "rubber spring seats" for $9.50 a pop.  I'll see how things are looking before the wintertime to determine whether or not I'll replace these.  It would be nice though to remove the coilovers and get the threads all cleaned up and lubed.     Fuckin cars.

Removing your suspension is a lot easier than you think.

Ya dont you got the SS-P Dave? You can always swap em out with the OEM's when winter time comes and take apart the Tein's to replace the rubber part.

+1.. in the past few weeks i've had to remove/replace mine a total of 5 times or so.  as long as you anti-seize the bolts, it's a breeze.

You forget who you're dealing with here... the worst DIY'er on the planet (this guy).


Steve, I have the SS version, not the SS-P.  Swapping to oem in the winter would be a good idea, but it's work I just don't feel like doing.


Don't you need a spring compressor and all that junk?

No spring compressor needed.

You wouldn't need a spring compressor for removal but, to replace that rubber seat you may. I'm not sure but, it looks like its a ring on the tein site.

Well the springs slide right off the coilover and the rubber piece just sits right under the spring, so who knows.

If it slides off than you wouldn't need one I apologize.

For coil overs, you typically do not need a spring compressor. All the spring tension comes after the car is lowered down. When you remove the coil over assembly, there is no tension on the springs and if there is, you can use the spanner wrench to loosen up the spring mount and then slide the springs right off.

Good to know.

Has anyone else had these rubber pieces crap out on them too?

Right here!!

Awesome, welcome to the club.  Have you, or do you plan on, replacing them?

Haven't yet because it's recent.  I do plan on replacing them all around next summer though.  Either that or I'm going to replace my suspension.