This is actually a friend's car; Evo IX MR with Tein S-Techs.

So the passenger side strut went out, and we're going to replace both fronts only. I think the car was in some sort of accident prior or they took it off a jump/abuse (intercooler pipe, lip/bottom plastics bent/broken/missing), and may have accelerated the wear on the shocks. It has only ~65k miles.

Not looking to really upgrade to something aftermarket because honestly he doesn't push his car at all and doesn't want to drop the money; it's just daily driven and with some WOT episodes. What would you guys suggest? Simple OEM replacement? What about the Bilstein HDs; are they available for this car and how would they compare to the stock MR shocks? Shorter struts available?

 

Either find some used MR struts (cheapest option) or get the Bilstein HD's as these would be your best replacement option and closest to stock. It is definitely possible that the car being potentially "jumped" could lead to blown struts, but I would be willing to bet those Tein's would be leading reason for you friends blown suspension. Those springs lower the car too much and eat Bilsteins. Do some searching on here and you will read countless threads warning people to stay clear of Tein's on the Evo. It would be completely pointless to spend hundreds on front struts to just have them blow again in 10k miles. IMO and the opinions of many others on here, the only springs you should be running on the stock struts are either Swift or Worx. Hopefully that sheds some light onto your friends situation.

 

Tein S Techs are the reason. Too low, too soft.

Send them to Bilstein for a rebuild. Get a proper set of springs (Swift, GTWorx, RobiSpec).

 

Cruise C.L., in Seattle area there are a set on MR Bilsteins for sale once a month I imagine its the same where you are at.

 

That sounds possible: I know the Teins(or at least the ones I looked up) are close to the stock spring rates; but having the car lower takes away some of that stroke. Feels like the bumpstops are gone and I've only seen this where they just deteriorate from being pounded away.

I'll suggest rebuilding them but I don't know if he would do it(I originally suggested Swift springs but he went with Tein due to local shop selling them; though I didn't know about the Tein issue).

Does anyone know if the HD's are shorter than stock? Also, do the Teins just affect the front or would the rears be "in danger" also? And, those other springs work completely fine with the stock MR shocks?

Thank you very much guys! Very helpful.

 

yes get the Teins off the rear too while your at it. He needs springs better matched for those struts. The spec-r is a nice choice

 

Its not the stroke that kills the struts. Its smashing the piston repeatedly on the bumpstops. Teins are riding on the bump stops when the car is sitting static.

First, smack him upside the head. $75 ea for rebuilding. I would do both fronts at the same time. Get new springs or go back to OEM (all 4). Bilstein can match the struts to say...Swifts or GTWorx...at the same time they are rebuilding.

 

Its not the stroke that kills the struts. Its smashing the piston repeatedly on the bumpstops. Teins are riding on the bump stops when the car is sitting static.

First, smack him upside the head. $75 ea for rebuilding. I would do both fronts at the same time. Get new springs or go back to OEM (all 4). Bilstein can match the struts to say...Swifts or GTWorx...at the same time they are rebuilding.

 

how would you go about getting them rebuilt?? just call them and mail in or what??

 

nevermind i got it.. man they make it easy just download a pdf form, fill it out and ship it man this is sweet!!!

 

Will the GTWorx springs work with the MR shocks? Every place seems to be specific regarding MR or non-MR, except for GTWorx

 

Yes, the GTWorx springs will work with the MR struts. Not sure if your friend would like the GTWorx springs, because the drop is relatively mild and he had a set of Tein S-Tech's on before. He might prefer the Swift springs because they aren't strut-killers and they offer more of a drop than the GTWorx springs.

 

I just know he's cheap but yeah; I talked to him and he didn't really want to give up on the ride height, so the Swifts will be the best compromise.

Do they charge extra to revalve them to "Swift spec"? Also, do they already know about the Swift spring rate or would I have to provide that?

Thanks again guys!

 

No extra cost to match to your spring rates. Give them the max rate in the spring you will be using. They will do the rest.