TEIN Flex, need help.

Muzdaman · Postby **Muzdaman** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:02 pm

I have just had my Tein Flex installed and need to get a wheel alignment to straighten everything out but first I need to get the ride height sorted. how easy is adjusting the ride height on these things?

The Teins were installed at the recomended height but i want to go a little lower without going nuts (it needs to stay legal).

Anyone got any advise on adjusting the height of the Teins so i can get my alignment done?

Also, what settings does everyone use on there Flex?

Thanks

garettb16 · Postby **garettb16** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:36 pm

loosen the bottom ring to where you want it then tighten the top ring against it.

simple

use the spanners provided.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:38 pm

I've got Tein HAs, but they're the same principle. They've been up and down half a dozen times to go on car transporters. Now I've got it down to under 15 mins for a complete lowering job.

I have a paint mark on each of the lower locking rings. When I change the settings I know what I'm doing by counting each pass of the paint mark as I turn. Experiment yourself to find out how much a set numbers of turns all round lowers the car. 8 full turns (48 moves) takes mine from min 100mm to min 150mm ground clearance. If your ride height is already close then I'd probably start with 2 turns. Once you've changed it you need to roll the car a couple of meters to let it settle properly. No need to worry if you get it wrong, just use the reference marks to put it back again.

Muzdaman · Postby **Muzdaman** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:18 pm

If i recall correctly there are 3 locking rings, 2 directly under the spring and one 2-3 inches further down the body of the shock. I dont recall there being to lower locking rings. Ill check it out leter tonight when im home.

Thanks.

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:48 pm

The main difference between the Tein Flex and most other shock absorbers (yes, I know Casey) is the the shock body length can be adjusted without affecting the suspension travel.

Loosen the lowest locking ring. You can then screw the threaded center part of the shock into the lower green section. It is the lower green section that attaches to the lower suspension arm. Do not touch the two upper locking rings as they support the spring perch. If you move the spring perch you will be changing the suspension travel.

By the way did you buy the Aussie configred Tein Flex or directly from Japan?

I took some measurements recently to see at what point the bump stops are in contact with the car body and the point where the bump stops were fully compressed. I should dig them up and post them here.

J

Muzdaman · Postby **Muzdaman** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:47 pm

Thanks Juffa, thats what i thought about adjusting them but i wasnt sure. Im still learning about this stuff.

I got them from the US.

SteveS1 · Postby **SteveS1** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:35 am

Thanks Juffa, thats what i thought about adjusting them but i wasnt sure. Im still learning about this stuff.

I got them from the US.

Hi Muzdaman. I'm looking at buying a set of these myself. Did you buy through 949racing in the US, via their ebay advert?

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:01 am

Steve! mate! a post from you??

Are you joining the band-wagon?, I can recall you saying \"...are these really any good or are people just buying them cause everyone else has them?\" :mrgreen:

Tein's are out of my reach, but after much much eBaying and research, I've concluded that these are actually pretty good value for money when compared to others in the price range which look uber-dodge.
NMX516 got his done fairly recently, send him a PM.

SteveS1 · Postby **SteveS1** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:37 pm

Steve! mate! a post from you??

Its hard to believe, I know.

I too have done some checking up on the Miata forum, and they seem pretty well respected over there. On ebay they are advertised at a bit under $1800 from memory, which seems reasonable given they cost > $2000 locally.

Will follow up with NMX516 too.

cheers

Muzdaman · Postby **Muzdaman** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:33 pm

SteveS1 wrote:
Thanks Juffa, thats what i thought about adjusting them but i wasnt sure. Im still learning about this stuff.

I got them from the US.

Hi Muzdaman. I'm looking at buying a set of these myself. Did you buy through 949racing in the US, via their ebay advert?

Hi Steve,

I did get them from Emilio at 949racing in the US but via there website.
Emilio was happy to send them in 2 shipments 2 weeks apart as well to make sure the value for importing was under $1000 per package.

Emilio is great to deal with. Good Luck!!

SteveS1 · Postby **SteveS1** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:42 pm

I did get them from Emilio at 949racing in the US but via there website.

What spring rates did you get, or do other people recommend?

I understand that they come with 7kg/6kg, but have read recommendations on this forum for 5kg rear springs. On the 949racing ebay advert they say \"For a daily driver and occasional drifting, autocross or track days, the standard Flex 7/6kg springs are great. For a more competition oriented setup with wider race tires I recommend increasing the front spring rate between 9kg-12kg/504-672# and rear spring between 7-8kg/392-448# . \" Anyone agree or disagree with this for local (Aus) tracks??

My application is for track work (sprints and hopefully racing), street registered, but I don't care if its stiff on the road as it doesn't get dríven much.

Cheers
Steve

Muzdaman · Postby **Muzdaman** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:57 am

I got the 7/6 kg spring rate. Mine is daily driver with the occasional track day thrown in. On full soft there actually quite comfortable on the road. I havent had any track time with them yet, but hopefully soon.

Others that get more track time would be able to give you more info on spring rates.

SteveS1 · Postby **SteveS1** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:11 pm

I got the 7/6 kg spring rate. Mine is daily driver with the occasional track day thrown in. On full soft there actually quite comfortable on the road. I havent had any track time with them yet, but hopefully soon.

Others that get more track time would be able to give you more info on spring rates.

OK. I might start another thread on this topic and see what comments pop up.

SteveS1 · Postby **SteveS1** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:19 pm

Well i finally got the Tien Flex installed. I ended up getting 10/6 spring rates. Have only dríven a few city kms so far and they seem fine - i.e. obviously pick up the bumps easier but doesn't feel nasty.

Not hard to install, but a second person would have helped on some occasions when levering control arms.

Setting up the height once they are on the car is quite confusing for the novice that I am. Rotate this...ummm nothing... rotate this and hold that...ummm... :oops:

Once the road dries out I'll getter a better idea of the change