Should coilovers really be drivin in the winter? how bad will salt and snow take to them as opposed to stock? can or should they be rust proofed and super oiled up to last the winter? thanks … i need suspension asap so i need to know if i should go coils…
certain ones cannot be warrantied if used in subzero weather…
IIRC correctly when I was researching Tein, their info guy said they were fine to be used in sub-zero
check spliners’ GB for K-W coilovers, some are stainless…
Usually it is not the exterior that you need to worry about. These days they have ani-rust coatings and shit.
It’s the valving, and viscosity of the oil that you need to worry about.
spray those rust check bottles that u can buy at CT. clean the coils with some orange buster, rinse. air dry, and spray. 1 can coats 4 coilovers and thats it.
obviously you should be generous when coating.
i run my tein HA’s in the winter.
My JIC’s “instructions” said not to run below 5 degrees celcius.
I believe they have a US specific set for colder temps, but I never got those.
They are on the car in storage for the winter. So I couldn’t tell you much about winter performance, but it got cold a couple of times before it went into storage and there was a noticeable difference in performance. They were very very hard and felt like there was no dampening at all, kinda like having solid steel shafts for a suspension. (not good in my opinion)
got_boost and other guys are right… you should worry about the oil and the valving of the coilovers when you drive with them in the winter…
The oil gets cold, and gets thicker…
This puts pressure on the seals, and cracks them …
i dont suggest coilvoers in the winter, but these days some coilovers sell new replacement shocks for under 100 each ( like megans ) so its not a big deal to some people…