Coilover questions

[Liom the Chef]

The ABC recently had a show dealing with consumer rights "The Checkout", it was entertaining and informative. So I wouldn't be worried about warranty as you should be covered either way if the part is faulty and you can prove you were not using it in an incorrect manner. Like trying to drive on 2 wheels, breaking the suspension.

how do you prove you weren't using it in incorrect manner, and keep in mind they state on them that they're not designed for street use, so basically anything can be defined as incorrect manner of usage with them.

 

[lancer1993]

how do you prove you weren't using it in incorrect manner, and keep in mind they state on them that they're not designed for street use, so basically anything can be defined as incorrect manner of usage with them.

Is that the case for all coilovers? As I want to use them on the street and need the insurance and road worthiness to be okay.

 

[Zhaktronz]

how do you prove you weren't using it in incorrect manner, and keep in mind they state on them that they're not designed for street use, so basically anything can be defined as incorrect manner of usage with them.

Goods must be of ‘acceptable quality’. Acceptable quality is defined in section 54(2) of the ACL such that goods are of acceptable quality if they are:
• fit for all the purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly supplied;
• acceptable in appearance and finish;
• free from defects;
• safe; and
• durable.
This definition is subject to a ‘reasonable consumer’ test, such that goods are considered to meet those standards if a reasonable consumer, who is fully acquainted with the state and condition of the goods, would regard them as acceptable.
In determining whether goods are of ‘acceptable quality’, a number of issues need to be considered: the nature of the goods, the price of the goods (if relevant), any statement made about the goods on any packaging or label on the goods, any representation made about the goods by the supplier or manufacturer of the goods and any other relevant circumstances relating to supply of the goods.

 

[Liom the Chef]

how do you prove you weren't using it in incorrect manner, and keep in mind they state on them that they're not designed for street use, so basically anything can be defined as incorrect manner of usage with them.

Is that the case for all coilovers? As I want to use them on the street and need the insurance and road worthiness to be okay.

I don't believe there's a truly clear answer as to insurance/roadworthy. I do know that technically unless ADR approved, they have to be engineered.
As for Insurance, as is always the case, the onus is on the insurer to prove that the part contributed to the accident.

As for the consumer laws zhak, the issue really is that the manufacturer doesn't present the goods as fit for street use.
You would probably get a warranty claim honoured if you fought it out hard, the part to replace my broken component was 80 dollars. the hours/days I'd have to spend proving that made me decide to just buy the part and decide not to do business with the reseller)

I would buy bc coilovers again, but not for the CJ.

 

[lancer1993]

Guess I should call QLD transport to check and talk to my suspension guy, who fixed my CV joints.
He seems to know what he is talking about and was the only one to correctly diagnose the CV joint problem when others thought it was everything from a bad wheel to the clutch plate!

 

[tm34]

they do not void insurance unless they contributed to the accident. ie if you get t-boned then you will still receive full compensation. if your car slides off the road and hits a tree, they can suss out the suspension and call it void as it's not a factory component. then again, the chances of sliding off the road with coils as opposed to springs is probably 1:10

 

[lancer1993]

they do not void insurance unless they contributed to the accident. ie if you get t-boned then you will still receive full compensation. if your car slides off the road and hits a tree, they can suss out the suspension and call it void as it's not a factory component. then again, the chances of sliding off the road with coils as opposed to springs is probably 1:10

I guess that depends on the driver but also so many other things like the tires, road conditions and if you're being an idiot. Even with modern traction control systems and ABS you can still slid off the road.

Question is should you tell the insurance company exactly what you have installed or just you have upgraded the parts and on that is Shannon's the company to talk to?

 

[lancer1993]

Just spoke to a Suspension place and coilovers are NOT illegal just as long as you don't go too low BUT the problem is the ride quality goes out the window, unless you spend like $6k on them. I can get a 'normal' set up with lower but legal springs and German shocks (Used on top German cars like BMW) for less that $1k. No I won't have adjustable suspension but it will be low, about 1 inch from the current 2 inch gap between the top of the tires and fender. The ride will be usable on normal roads and I won't get stuck on driveways. Also it will have less body roll so better in corners than the standard setup and should be better under brakes without it pitching forward when braking hard.

I just can't see using coilovers for my daily ride at this point, if I was making a track car then I'd say yes!

 

[donki]

Base Height Adjustable Suspension is illegal in Australia.

There are only two brands that have passed ADR laws that make them legal: Pedders own branded Coilovers, and a certain model of TEIN Coilovers. This is because they do no go below legal hight limits

 

[lancer1993]

Hight adjustment aside if Coilovers give such bad ride on normal roads I just wonder why so many people want to get them?

Like I said if you're making a track day car then I can see the point but I want to be comfortable in my daily ride, especially given some of the crap roads we have, god forbid you hit some dirt road or a gravel driveway.

 

[donki]

Hight adjustment aside if Coilovers give such bad ride on normal roads I just wonder why so many people want to get them?

Like I said if you're making a track day car then I can see the point but I want to be comfortable in my daily ride, especially given some of the crap roads we have, god forbid you hit some dirt road or a gravel driveway.

Only bad quality coilovers, or coilovers with stiff damper(rebound) and stiff spring rates will give a harsh ride. Ive got really stiff suspension in my car, however i can adjust the damper in about 30 seconds, so the car feels like the stock suspension again.

 

[lancer1993]

Dare I ask the cost of coilovers with adjustment you can do from the drivers seat, not for hight but ride, like you find on many sports cars.

Either way I have to save up before I can do anything with my suspension so plenty of time to work out what I want to do.

 

[donki]

Dare I ask the cost of coilovers with adjustment you can do from the drivers seat, not for hight but ride, like you find on many sports cars.

Either way I have to save up before I can do anything with my suspension so plenty of time to work out what I want to do.

Certain coilover brands can have a control module that costs sub-$200 (plus $1k~ for coilovers) that does ride adjustment all from the drivers seat. Im thinking of Honda as the main brand that the coilovers support, but i am not too sure if thats correct at all. The way i personally see it, is if youre not willing to jump out the drivers seat when you really want to change damper, you may as well spend an extra $500-1000 and get airbags, that way you can choose your height and comfort level from the seat without doing anything


Plenty of time to do a lot of research to see what best suits your needs and wants.

 

[Liom the Chef]

Dare I ask the cost of coilovers with adjustment you can do from the drivers seat, not for hight but ride, like you find on many sports cars.

Either way I have to save up before I can do anything with my suspension so plenty of time to work out what I want to do.

Certain coilover brands can have a control module that costs sub-$200 (plus $1k~ for coilovers) that does ride adjustment all from the drivers seat. Im thinking of Honda as the main brand that the coilovers support, but i am not too sure if thats correct at all. The way i personally see it, is if youre not willing to jump out the drivers seat when you really want to change damper, you may as well spend an extra $500-1000 and get airbags, that way you can choose your height and comfort level from the seat without doing anything


Plenty of time to do a lot of research to see what best suits your needs and wants.

only reason i can see for wanting that remote dampening adjustment is if your strut towers aren't accessible without removing panels, like the rear of the cj can't be adjusted without modifying the body, or removing the coilover.
Or the front of the colt ralliart needs multiple dash panels removed to get access.

 

[Res]

TEIN have the EDFC controller, also can fit others that use the kex key, but obv only a 17wy adjust from controller

 

[lancer1993]

Well the point of dash control is mostly convenience and when you get to a good smooth road put it into 'sports' and you're set. I know most of these would have less control maybe something like normal, soft and sport.

I guess the point is you can have on the move adjustment if you want to pay the extra, personally I wouldn't do it to an early CC/CE Lancer but it would be fantastic on a CJ, especial the Ralliart or EVO. If they don't have them yet, I haven't checked the latest models spec sheet.

 

[derku]

You reckon the BCs are comfortable on the softest settings? I currently just got BC ERs and they are harsh on street. F/R = 8/8kg

 

[lancer1993]

You reckon the BCs are comfortable on the softest settings? I currently just got BC ERs and they are harsh on street. F/R = 8/8kg

See this is the response I was looking for, I'm not 20yo anymore and have had some back issues so last thing I need is a daily ride that is to harsh.

 

[Res]

You reckon the BCs are comfortable on the softest settings? I currently just got BC ERs and they are harsh on street. F/R = 8/8kg

thats cos u have 8/8

if someone were to get say a 5/4 setup would be alot more compliant
(but theya re still a linear spring so will still be more abrupt than a progressive like a lowering king spring)

 

[7R3N7]

some people like a stiff ride as you can feel more of the car, i have 8/8's on stiffest and don't think its too stiff. on the softest though its mad comfy, maybe i'm just used to the harsh ride by now haha