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View Full Version : Suspension Failure - "BIGTIME"

JEVO
02-08-2009, 10:15 PM
I justed wanted to share this with all in the hope that it would never happen to any of you.

Had a sprint at Eastern Creek today, great weather and the car felt good. Three sessions in after turn 3, at 170km/h, my front left coilover snapped at the base. The suspension collapsed, locking the wheel, I had limited braking with very little steering input. Luckily with plenty of run off on the grass I gradually stopped. Mind you with one wheel locked it took 100m to stop.

The bottom section of the coilover (attached to the wheel assy), snapped:
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii32/rac11r/02082009292.jpg

Luckily there was very little damage apart from the coilover. I spend a great deal of time caring for my car, lots of preventive maintenance. In nine months of racing this car I have never pulled the suspension out, just adjusted heights. Pure negligence on my part, fast car, fast times but riding on pure luck. Even recently I went to the extreme of fitting wheels studs and spacers, but still did not even glance at the suspension. A couple of experienced mechanics pointed out that the crack developed a while ago.

I thank my luck stars the failure did not result in serious damage to the car and myself. I may change brake pads regularly and do brake bleeds, but just realised I neglect my brakes in the same way.

Spend the time....and money....on caring for and inspecting components you might overlook.

Jason
choppo
02-08-2009, 10:44 PM
Just think, there are so many heavy Crommies out there on Tien struts too, same construction. It's commercial grade stuff for the street. Not race gear up to the times you are achieving. Let alone heavy Commodores.
Great to see you and the car are AOK thankfully.
BOMI
02-08-2009, 11:08 PM
WOW :eek: glad youre ok man :yep:

Thanks for posting up the info and pics, youll most definately stop someone here from making that error.


Troy :)
JEVO
02-08-2009, 11:22 PM
WOW :eek: glad youre ok man :yep:

Thanks for posting up the info and pics, youll most definately stop someone here from making that error.


Troy :)
As I mentioned I neglect my brakes even more, definately a wake up call for me.
35R
02-08-2009, 11:38 PM
Massive eye opener that one Jase. Split open like a tin can, unbelievable.

Buy a lottery ticket tomorrow.
Benson
02-08-2009, 11:43 PM
Buy a lottery ticket tomorrow.

I was just about to say the same thing

Your one lucky guy. Did you change undies? :laugh:

In all seriousness, it was good to see your OK and no damage to the car
Gorilla
03-08-2009, 12:05 AM
WOW!! Thats nuts!!! Glad I sold my Tein now hehe..

Whats its construction? Alloy???? What is it? Flex?
ShylanMotorsport
03-08-2009, 08:35 AM
Fu*k Jase.......Thats insane........
Have never seen anything like that! Glad you are ok.
Still got a good time down to i see......Lucky it didnt happen when 45 cars on the track on saturday!
So what next jase?
GTS Listy
03-08-2009, 09:04 AM
That is one massive failure and dam lucky it went in the spot it did. Will definitially have a look at mine.
seldo
03-08-2009, 09:27 AM
Pretty scary! I hope you are intending to have a very serious talk with the suppliers....
ShylanMotorsport
03-08-2009, 04:28 PM
Jase, just looking at these exta photos you have sent me......i do not think it was cracked for a while.
the whole break on one of the photos is shiny, if it had been cracked for a while it would be rusty or dirty.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww340/mattmattmattmatt1/03082009296.jpg
ova400
03-08-2009, 04:33 PM
Wow thats scary, something I think very few people would ever take into consideration is looking at their suspension. Glad to hear there was no other major damage though, very lucky.
ShylanMotorsport
03-08-2009, 05:09 PM
I think before anybody says anything bad about the supplier or the product we really need to have a closer in depth look.
As a TEIN distributor (who didnt sell the kit) we are working towards a solution with TEIN as we speak.
It is a very rare thing for a TEIN coilover to fail, That is why action has been taken so quickly to fix the issue.
Like i said, we did not sell the kit, however TEIN Australia is concerned and will be looking into the issue.
I have personally spoken to Jason in a professional capacity (and as a concerned mate) and Jason has no hard feelings to the brand.
Cheers Matt.
JEVO
03-08-2009, 05:22 PM
No hard feelings on my part Matt. I'm impressed with your quick action and Teins willingness to rectify it, all in 1/2 a day.

The purpose of this thread was to encourage us to inspect our components regularly regardless of the brand.
ShylanMotorsport
14-08-2009, 03:22 PM
Just thought i would give a quick update.......
Between Wholesale suspension and Tein Australia we have come up with a solution and replaced the complete broken strut for Jason.
We have also arranged for the other 3 struts, and components to be crack tested, and then revalved to match the valving of the new strut. This means the other 3 struts have been completely rebuilt. All this has been achieved so that Jason will be at the next race meeting ready to run on basically brand new shocks. When the shocks arrive here next week we will be wheel alligning the car to Jason's set up and he will be ready to get back on the track.
I appreciate everyone allowing us the time to sort this out with minimal fuss and "bad mouthing" of the product.
Cheers
Matt
Benson
14-08-2009, 03:27 PM
Good work and great customer service,

We'll have a chat to you guys next Round in regards to our suspension set-up
ShylanMotorsport
14-08-2009, 03:30 PM
Anytime mate....More than happy to.
Are you running the test day?
Benson
14-08-2009, 04:30 PM
Yes we are heading out on Aug 31st for some testing

You guys coming along?
choppo
14-08-2009, 06:25 PM
Matt,
i tell ya what, THAT is service!! :bravo:
Well done to you, Tein and WS :bravo:
HSV-105
14-08-2009, 06:38 PM
Just thought i would give a quick update.......
Between Wholesale suspension and Tein Australia we have come up with a solution and replaced the complete broken strut for Jason.
We have also arranged for the other 3 struts, and components to be crack tested, and then revalved to match the valving of the new strut. This means the other 3 struts have been completely rebuilt. All this has been achieved so that Jason will be at the next race meeting ready to run on basically brand new shocks. When the shocks arrive here next week we will be wheel alligning the car to Jason's set up and he will be ready to get back on the track.
I appreciate everyone allowing us the time to sort this out with minimal fuss and "bad mouthing" of the product.
Cheers
Matt


Good result for Jason - Well done Matt.

Any response yet from the manufacturer as to the cause of the failure ?
35R
14-08-2009, 07:04 PM
Yes we are heading out on Aug 31st for some testing

You guys coming along?

I think two 35's will be there! see you then Benny.
ShylanMotorsport
14-08-2009, 07:18 PM
Yeah Benny we are hoping to be there.....car will be slightly different hopefully...so will need to get use to driving it....
Thanks Chop....we do our best.......
I havent heard the cause yet but i will se what i can find out.
JeffDoz
30-09-2009, 04:55 PM
Just thought i would give a quick update.......
Between Wholesale suspension and Tein Australia we have come up with a solution and replaced the complete broken strut for Jason.
We have also arranged for the other 3 struts, and components to be crack tested, and then revalved to match the valving of the new strut. This means the other 3 struts have been completely rebuilt. All this has been achieved so that Jason will be at the next race meeting ready to run on basically brand new shocks. When the shocks arrive here next week we will be wheel alligning the car to Jason's set up and he will be ready to get back on the track.
I appreciate everyone allowing us the time to sort this out with minimal fuss and "bad mouthing" of the product.
Cheers
Matt


That's working in a professional and honorable way. Id buy off you anytime. We can all be good happy chappies when all is smooth sailing, but who we are in times like this defines us, some would decapitate their reputation by ignoring their duty and responsiblilty and sticking their head in the sand and their fingers in theirs ears and hope it all goes way, some would cement it by their good deeds and actions.