Tein SS-p Coilovers, a long term review

**bigdaddy** · 02-07-2010, 12:59 PM

Heres my three year review on the tein ss-p coilovers. I installed them somewhere around late January 2007. Lately Tein has been getting bashed on these boards, but I figure I should provide some input on mine. I replaced megan racing street coilovers with these. I didn’t really like the megans much, way too soft of a ride and they required more attention than I cared to give them. Heres a breakdown of my review, and some of what I think are important facts about the car

Complete list of suspension components:
Tein SS-P Coilovers
Mugen Replica Front Strut Bar
Mugen Replica Rear Mid Bar
Megan Racing C-Pillar Bar
Ingalls Rear Camber Kit
5Zigen Floor Brace
Cusco Pillarside Braces
Honda Integra Type R Rear Sway Bar
AXXIS Ultimate Brake Pads
Rotora Slotted Rotors
Russel Speed Bleeders
Russel Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines
D3 Double X Under-Brace

Price:
$1600.00 plus shipping (January 2007)

Tires used:
Yokohama advan s.4 all season tires

Style of driving:
Point a-b, canyon carving, autobahn blitzing, heavy spirited. Car is daily driven.

Ease of install:
I would say the average wrench turner can knock this out in about an hour. The novice should take their time, its not a difficult install, but, the c.v. joints have a nasty habit of popping out from the shaft and the joint itself, which means you will have to play around with it to pop it back in, or remove the whole c.v. joint/shaft assembly and pop it back into place. Also a small puller tool would be helpful when removing the tie rod ends from the strut assembly.

Ride comfort:
These things are a bit on the harsh side. If your looking for a luxury style soft ride, skip these. The tend to be bumpy, simulating the type of ride you see on track cars, but not as harsh. I like a bumpy car so I don’t care really, these fit me perfectly. Going over bumpy roads does tend to be a noisy endeavor, and the front pillow ball hats make it a rough one too. You will feel small bumps in the road, and bridge seams as well. The roughness does have its place, however, with the added ease of turning the pillow balls provide.

Types of roads driven on:
Everything from smooth Autobahn fast lane to horrible cobblestone roads. Living in Germany means I encounter many different types of roads. The base I am stationed on right now used to have a ton of tanker units. This being the case the roads here are very torn up. They never get properly repaired because no one important drives their own cars on them. Sometimes during carving I encounter rips and cracks in the road. Even when driving over them, the car remains stable. On the Autobahn A6, the coilovers again show their handling prowess. This particular Autobahn is full of unrestricted zones (no speed limit) and the Autobahn itself on the A6 looks like a huge roller coaster track. Needless to say, when I am booking at 120+mph, I dont slow down. The car simply eats the long bends and curves with no issues.

Problems/ periodic maintenance:
None. I have never had to take these out due to issues of any kind related to the coilovers. As long as they have been on the car they have been a simple bolt on and forget it component. I have left them on the manufacturers recommended setting however, they have never had their ride height changed and the dampening settings have stayed at the half way mark all the way around.

Handling/Performance:
Hell yes. These coilovers have helped keep the car stable at very high speeds on the autobahn (155 mph, to me that’s fast) and have also helped the car corner during canyon carving at also pretty good speeds. Anyone who has ever seen me canyon carve will agree the car is beat up pretty good into the turns. The coilovers have performed flawlessly in this capacity, and the difference between the stock struts shocks combo and the tein ss-p’s is night and day. Even on rough roads they perform very well, the bumps don’t cause a loss of traction or the rear end to swing around at all. I don’t get so much as a tire screech during hard cornering at speed.

Mileage on the coilovers:
60,000. No joke. These things have been on the car for a long time, and have yet to give me any problems.

Product appearance and packing:
Tein includes a mountain of stickers with these coilovers, including a nice tein emblem that I didn’t get to put on anything. It also comes with instructions which you can tell someone had to translate from Japanese and had trouble in the process, but still understandable. They also come with two ring spanners with the tein name embossed into them, and they are pretty hefty too. The threads for the mounting bolts are covered to prevent damage, and the threads on the coilovers also have a coating of some type of oil, which has long washed away and now I have light rust on them. Salted roads ftl.

Tein customer service:
Dunno, never had to call them. The product has never had any issues so there has never been a need.

Overall opinion:
These coilovers have been good to me. To have lasted this long in this extreme cold weather and taken the beating they have at such high rates of speed and such hard corners, I have to say that this would be my choice all over again. I would definitely recommend tein to anyone who is in search of a high performance trouble free product. Keep in mind, I am the target user of this particular product. They are streetable coilovers, yet they are built to take a beating. They aren’t meant for soft gentle rides that open heart surgery can be performed on. They are a bit on the rough side, but they perform, and do so with no issues. I hope this has been some help to those who are looking for a quality set of coilovers.

**NotQuiteRite** · 02-07-2010, 01:03 PM

Thanks for the review, I've been thinking about picking up a set.

sileong · 02-08-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddy

Tein customer service: Dunno, never had to call them. The product has never had any issues so there has never been a need.

I did.... their service was great. I needed longer studs for my rear pillow mounts so I can fit my Spoon strut bar. Studs came in the mail in a few days. Guys I spoke with was very helpful and friendly. Just thought I'd share.

**KwantumFizzics** · 02-08-2010, 04:47 PM

Just got my SS-P's about 2 weeks ago. Love them!

02whiteDC5 · 02-08-2010, 08:39 PM

WOW!! sorry for threadjacking and all that but i have to say.... you just answered all the questions i had.. I just got my hands on a used set of SS-P and they looked all beat up, i guess normal from the salt and time.

Anything you would suggest i look for on these used set of coilovers? i mean, the springs are pealing and stuff.... bearings look good and no signs of oil leaking out of them....anything i could do to help these old coilovers recover their apperience?

incredible review guy, keep it up.

**pcasupreme** · 02-08-2010, 08:43 PM

great writeup man.

**AxelTaylor** · 02-08-2010, 09:09 PM

nice review! Wouldnt mind seeing more of these popping up following this same style. Very organized very easy to read.

**pcasupreme** · 02-08-2010, 09:15 PM

yeah i was thinking the same thing, that all reviews should be as thorough as this one

jester0110 · 02-08-2010, 10:37 PM

very nice review..would definitely help a lot of people looking for a new suspension

**bigdaddy** · 02-09-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02whiteDC5

WOW!! sorry for threadjacking and all that but i have to say.... you just answered all the questions i had.. I just got my hands on a used set of SS-P and they looked all beat up, i guess normal from the salt and time.

Anything you would suggest i look for on these used set of coilovers? i mean, the springs are pealing and stuff.... bearings look good and no signs of oil leaking out of them....anything i could do to help these old coilovers recover their apperience?

incredible review guy, keep it up.

not too sure to be honest with you, i would maybe use a metal brush to get the rust off if it has any, and a light coat of some sort of oil on the threads of the coilover so that there is something keeping them protected from the elements.

it might also pay off to have them rebuilt before they go into the car. i have no clue on how much it costs, but it could save you from unforseen trouble in the future.

tegitypes · 02-09-2010, 08:35 AM

almost 38k on my ss-p. first mod i bought.

**bigdaddy** · 03-06-2010, 03:15 PM

Well, heres an update thus far. Lately the suspension has been making clunking sounds. The kind that dead struts and shocks make. I checked the Coilovers to see if they had blown, but there are no indications of oil anywhere. Im wondering if the pillowballs and hats have worn out.

Even so, if they are blown, they have earned their rest. They have lasted well beyond what I expected, and have definately outlasted their OEM counterparts.

The shitty thing is the base I am stationed at probably done them in. Last month the snow hid a HUGE pothole, when I hit it, the car made a enormous BAM! Last Friday I put the car on a lift rack only to find my D3 underbrace had several dents in it on one side, no doubt caused by that pot hole.

I am wondering if i should take it off and attempt to repair it. So far I havent noticed it hindering the handling or making any noises.

clean3two3 · 03-20-2010, 09:53 PM

I bought a used set of ssp and they are charging me 215 becuase the inner rod was replaced some other pieces were replaced. I would replace them asap if its blown to prvent any further damage to them. Since I live by tein they told me it would be around 800 for one new strut if it can't be rebuilt. I can't wait to install my ssp.

Cuadra Type-S · 03-20-2010, 10:09 PM

I like my tein coilovers as well, ride quality is great

**caeavesRSX-S** · 05-16-2010, 09:26 PM

Yep. A little harsh and a little noisy but that is the price you pay for great handling. The adjustments actually make a difference. I had full stiff in the rear during an autocross and lost my rear end. Turned it down and the tail stayed in line.

I would remove the springs and have them powder coated if they are peeling. Especially since you just bought them and they are off the car. Well worth it at that point.

dKC Bullet · 05-17-2010, 11:10 AM

what's lowest drop you can go on these things?

**bigdaddy** · 05-17-2010, 11:15 AM

dunno, never tried

clean3two3 · 05-26-2010, 11:38 PM

The fronts don't slam you but the rears go kinda low. I guess tein made them for actual use like racing, not for slamming your car.

**NotQuiteRite** · 05-27-2010, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clean3two3

The fronts don't slam you but the rears go kinda low. I guess tein made them for actual use like racing, not for slamming your car.

If you want to slam, get FF2's

**bigdaddy** · 05-27-2010, 10:10 AM

slamming is more of a look thing. i prefer performance. to each his own of course. im sure the dc5 looks sick slammed with some hellaflush rims, but from what i have been reading neither are practical

**caeavesRSX-S** · 05-27-2010, 09:16 PM

You can get a no finger gap from the teins without going all the way to the bottom.

clean3two3 · 05-28-2010, 12:07 AM

I'm on teins ssp if you look at my profile pic you can see
my drop. It's not all the way down still needs like a couple of threads left. My teinscride better then my eibach pro kits on stock shocks. Only down side with coils is htting bumps I jump up out my seat lol.

**caeavesRSX-S** · 08-18-2010, 07:57 PM

I have some additional information.

Always start damping adjustments from all the way right which is full stiff and then adjust downwards while counting. Going too far (past 16) can damage the adjustment valve.

When adjusting up or down mark a spot on the top adjustment ring with a sharpie.
For every 6 turns on the front you get 1/2 inch of height adjustment.
For every 3 turns on the rear you get 1/2 inch of height adjustment.

Tyrannosau-RSX · 08-19-2010, 11:10 PM

I have had my tein SSP's for quite a while as well. since 2006 i believe. since then i put about 45k- 50k miles on them. they are still holding up strong. However, it may be just me in my head, but i feel that they have gotten softer in the years past. has anyone else noticed this at all?

**BigWorm85** · 08-20-2010, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrannosau-RSX

I have had my tein SSP's for quite a while as well. since 2006 i believe. since then i put about 45k- 50k miles on them. they are still holding up strong. However, it may be just me in my head, but i feel that they have gotten softer in the years past. has anyone else noticed this at all?

yeah...i've had mine on the car since 2003 and over 120k miles -_-

time to get rebuilt D:

02-07-2010, 12:59 PM	#1
bigdaddy Eat Liberals Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Baumholder, Germany Posts: 14,068 iTrader: (31)	Tein SS-p Coilovers, a long term review Heres my three year review on the tein ss-p coilovers. I installed them somewhere around late January 2007. Lately Tein has been getting bashed on these boards, but I figure I should provide some input on mine. I replaced megan racing street coilovers with these. I didn’t really like the megans much, way too soft of a ride and they required more attention than I cared to give them. Heres a breakdown of my review, and some of what I think are important facts about the car Complete list of suspension components: Tein SS-P Coilovers Mugen Replica Front Strut Bar Mugen Replica Rear Mid Bar Megan Racing C-Pillar Bar Ingalls Rear Camber Kit 5Zigen Floor Brace Cusco Pillarside Braces Honda Integra Type R Rear Sway Bar AXXIS Ultimate Brake Pads Rotora Slotted Rotors Russel Speed Bleeders Russel Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines D3 Double X Under-Brace Price: $1600.00 plus shipping (January 2007) Tires used: Yokohama advan s.4 all season tires Style of driving: Point a-b, canyon carving, autobahn blitzing, heavy spirited. Car is daily driven. Ease of install: I would say the average wrench turner can knock this out in about an hour. The novice should take their time, its not a difficult install, but, the c.v. joints have a nasty habit of popping out from the shaft and the joint itself, which means you will have to play around with it to pop it back in, or remove the whole c.v. joint/shaft assembly and pop it back into place. Also a small puller tool would be helpful when removing the tie rod ends from the strut assembly. Ride comfort: These things are a bit on the harsh side. If your looking for a luxury style soft ride, skip these. The tend to be bumpy, simulating the type of ride you see on track cars, but not as harsh. I like a bumpy car so I don’t care really, these fit me perfectly. Going over bumpy roads does tend to be a noisy endeavor, and the front pillow ball hats make it a rough one too. You will feel small bumps in the road, and bridge seams as well. The roughness does have its place, however, with the added ease of turning the pillow balls provide. Types of roads driven on: Everything from smooth Autobahn fast lane to horrible cobblestone roads. Living in Germany means I encounter many different types of roads. The base I am stationed on right now used to have a ton of tanker units. This being the case the roads here are very torn up. They never get properly repaired because no one important drives their own cars on them. Sometimes during carving I encounter rips and cracks in the road. Even when driving over them, the car remains stable. On the Autobahn A6, the coilovers again show their handling prowess. This particular Autobahn is full of unrestricted zones (no speed limit) and the Autobahn itself on the A6 looks like a huge roller coaster track. Needless to say, when I am booking at 120+mph, I dont slow down. The car simply eats the long bends and curves with no issues. Problems/ periodic maintenance: None. I have never had to take these out due to issues of any kind related to the coilovers. As long as they have been on the car they have been a simple bolt on and forget it component. I have left them on the manufacturers recommended setting however, they have never had their ride height changed and the dampening settings have stayed at the half way mark all the way around. Handling/Performance: Hell yes. These coilovers have helped keep the car stable at very high speeds on the autobahn (155 mph, to me that’s fast) and have also helped the car corner during canyon carving at also pretty good speeds. Anyone who has ever seen me canyon carve will agree the car is beat up pretty good into the turns. The coilovers have performed flawlessly in this capacity, and the difference between the stock struts shocks combo and the tein ss-p’s is night and day. Even on rough roads they perform very well, the bumps don’t cause a loss of traction or the rear end to swing around at all. I don’t get so much as a tire screech during hard cornering at speed. Mileage on the coilovers: 60,000. No joke. These things have been on the car for a long time, and have yet to give me any problems. Product appearance and packing: Tein includes a mountain of stickers with these coilovers, including a nice tein emblem that I didn’t get to put on anything. It also comes with instructions which you can tell someone had to translate from Japanese and had trouble in the process, but still understandable. They also come with two ring spanners with the tein name embossed into them, and they are pretty hefty too. The threads for the mounting bolts are covered to prevent damage, and the threads on the coilovers also have a coating of some type of oil, which has long washed away and now I have light rust on them. Salted roads ftl. Tein customer service: Dunno, never had to call them. The product has never had any issues so there has never been a need. Overall opinion: These coilovers have been good to me. To have lasted this long in this extreme cold weather and taken the beating they have at such high rates of speed and such hard corners, I have to say that this would be my choice all over again. I would definitely recommend tein to anyone who is in search of a high performance trouble free product. Keep in mind, I am the target user of this particular product. They are streetable coilovers, yet they are built to take a beating. They aren’t meant for soft gentle rides that open heart surgery can be performed on. They are a bit on the rough side, but they perform, and do so with no issues. I hope this has been some help to those who are looking for a quality set of coilovers. __________________ R.I.P. Andru Hu Admin and Webmaster MILTEKNIK Last edited by bigdaddy; 03-06-2010 at 03:11 PM.

02-07-2010, 01:03 PM	#2
NotQuiteRite Troi duc oi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 4,641 iTrader: (7)	Thanks for the review, I've been thinking about picking up a set. __________________ flickr *Viet Crew Member #4* HotAvy&SigKrew Member

02-08-2010, 04:47 PM	#4
KwantumFizzics Swag'n it out in SinCity Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Planet Urf Posts: 6,196 iTrader: (28)	Just got my SS-P's about 2 weeks ago. Love them! __________________ Dumpt 2006 Black Type-Slow. Science.Iz.Win.

02-08-2010, 08:39 PM	#5
02whiteDC5 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 224 iTrader: (6)	WOW!! sorry for threadjacking and all that but i have to say.... you just answered all the questions i had.. I just got my hands on a used set of SS-P and they looked all beat up, i guess normal from the salt and time. Anything you would suggest i look for on these used set of coilovers? i mean, the springs are pealing and stuff.... bearings look good and no signs of oil leaking out of them....anything i could do to help these old coilovers recover their apperience? incredible review guy, keep it up. __________________ Short On Mod Cash Crew Member #36 K-PRO/TEIN SS/OBX V.1/FUJITA/PROGRESS/ENERGY SUSPENSION/GATES

02-08-2010, 08:43 PM	#6
pcasupreme oh hai thar Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 29,215 iTrader: (13)	great writeup man. __________________ Short On Mod Cash Crew Member #40 HotAvy&SigKrew MemberFuck A/C Windows Down Crew #10

02-08-2010, 09:09 PM	#7
AxelTaylor Midwest Built Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MO Posts: 1,729 iTrader: (8)	nice review! Wouldnt mind seeing more of these popping up following this same style. Very organized very easy to read. __________________ K24 Swapped Type S Krew

02-08-2010, 09:15 PM	#8
pcasupreme oh hai thar Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 29,215 iTrader: (13)	yeah i was thinking the same thing, that all reviews should be as thorough as this one __________________ Short On Mod Cash Crew Member #40 HotAvy&SigKrew MemberFuck A/C Windows Down Crew #10

02-08-2010, 10:37 PM	#9
jester0110 Master Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NOVA Posts: 1,820 iTrader: (0)	very nice review..would definitely help a lot of people looking for a new suspension

03-06-2010, 03:15 PM	#12
bigdaddy Eat Liberals Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Baumholder, Germany Posts: 14,068 iTrader: (31)	Well, heres an update thus far. Lately the suspension has been making clunking sounds. The kind that dead struts and shocks make. I checked the Coilovers to see if they had blown, but there are no indications of oil anywhere. Im wondering if the pillowballs and hats have worn out. Even so, if they are blown, they have earned their rest. They have lasted well beyond what I expected, and have definately outlasted their OEM counterparts. The shitty thing is the base I am stationed at probably done them in. Last month the snow hid a HUGE pothole, when I hit it, the car made a enormous BAM! Last Friday I put the car on a lift rack only to find my D3 underbrace had several dents in it on one side, no doubt caused by that pot hole. I am wondering if i should take it off and attempt to repair it. So far I havent noticed it hindering the handling or making any noises. __________________ R.I.P. Andru Hu Admin and Webmaster MILTEKNIK

03-20-2010, 09:53 PM	#13
clean3two3 ****** Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: los angeles Posts: 3,307 iTrader: (17)	I bought a used set of ssp and they are charging me 215 becuase the inner rod was replaced some other pieces were replaced. I would replace them asap if its blown to prvent any further damage to them. Since I live by tein they told me it would be around 800 for one new strut if it can't be rebuilt. I can't wait to install my ssp.

03-20-2010, 10:09 PM	#14
Cuadra Type-S Slo DC5 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 1,021 iTrader: (7)	I like my tein coilovers as well, ride quality is great __________________ Got Boost?

05-16-2010, 09:26 PM	#15
caeavesRSX-S Mugennnnnn! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC!! Posts: 8,988 iTrader: (24)	Yep. A little harsh and a little noisy but that is the price you pay for great handling. The adjustments actually make a difference. I had full stiff in the rear during an autocross and lost my rear end. Turned it down and the tail stayed in line. I would remove the springs and have them powder coated if they are peeling. Especially since you just bought them and they are off the car. Well worth it at that point. __________________ 230WHP CLUB! 162 wtq MyCAR#2 www.k-series.com Managing Editor (seeking submissions) ABP Crew Member #39 http://hellafunctional.com/

05-17-2010, 11:10 AM	#16
dKC Bullet noypi Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: 408, CA Posts: 84 iTrader: (0)	what's lowest drop you can go on these things?

05-17-2010, 11:15 AM	#17
bigdaddy Eat Liberals Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Baumholder, Germany Posts: 14,068 iTrader: (31)	dunno, never tried __________________ R.I.P. Andru Hu Admin and Webmaster MILTEKNIK

05-26-2010, 11:38 PM	#18
clean3two3 ****** Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: los angeles Posts: 3,307 iTrader: (17)	The fronts don't slam you but the rears go kinda low. I guess tein made them for actual use like racing, not for slamming your car.

05-27-2010, 10:10 AM	#20
bigdaddy Eat Liberals Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Baumholder, Germany Posts: 14,068 iTrader: (31)	slamming is more of a look thing. i prefer performance. to each his own of course. im sure the dc5 looks sick slammed with some hellaflush rims, but from what i have been reading neither are practical __________________ R.I.P. Andru Hu Admin and Webmaster MILTEKNIK

05-27-2010, 09:16 PM	#21
caeavesRSX-S Mugennnnnn! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC!! Posts: 8,988 iTrader: (24)	You can get a no finger gap from the teins without going all the way to the bottom. __________________ 230WHP CLUB! 162 wtq MyCAR#2 www.k-series.com Managing Editor (seeking submissions) ABP Crew Member #39 http://hellafunctional.com/ Last edited by caeavesRSX-S; 05-27-2010 at 09:20 PM.

05-28-2010, 12:07 AM	#22
clean3two3 ****** Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: los angeles Posts: 3,307 iTrader: (17)	I'm on teins ssp if you look at my profile pic you can see my drop. It's not all the way down still needs like a couple of threads left. My teinscride better then my eibach pro kits on stock shocks. Only down side with coils is htting bumps I jump up out my seat lol.

08-18-2010, 07:57 PM	#23
caeavesRSX-S Mugennnnnn! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC!! Posts: 8,988 iTrader: (24)	I have some additional information. Always start damping adjustments from all the way right which is full stiff and then adjust downwards while counting. Going too far (past 16) can damage the adjustment valve. When adjusting up or down mark a spot on the top adjustment ring with a sharpie. For every 6 turns on the front you get 1/2 inch of height adjustment. For every 3 turns on the rear you get 1/2 inch of height adjustment. __________________ 230WHP CLUB! 162 wtq MyCAR#2 www.k-series.com Managing Editor (seeking submissions) ABP Crew Member #39 http://hellafunctional.com/

08-19-2010, 11:10 PM	#24
Tyrannosau-RSX NIKON Crew Rep Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Quartz Hill/Valencia CA Posts: 2,405 iTrader: (3)	I have had my tein SSP's for quite a while as well. since 2006 i believe. since then i put about 45k- 50k miles on them. they are still holding up strong. However, it may be just me in my head, but i feel that they have gotten softer in the years past. has anyone else noticed this at all? __________________ Mods List: I Injen Cold Air Intake (CRSX edition) I DC Race Headers I HKS HI-Power Exhaust I TEIN SS-P Coilovers I 18x8" Tenzo R GT5s I Falken FK-452 tires I A-Spec lip kit + Low Wing I SRC Camber Kit I Mcculloch 5300k HIDs I DIY Blackout Headlights + Calipers I ESMM's I Sensoro RX7500 Radar I 20% Tint I Nikon D80 18-200mm VRII / 50mm f/1.4 / 105mm f/2.8 macro All Nikkors I My Flickr I