Hi guys,

I have had the sport spec coilovers for 20 mnths now and am having repeated failure from both rears. I have had the NSR rebuilt 3 times and the OSR twice, and "to my totally unexpected shock :O)" the unit failed again today, keeping it even.

The problem with the units has been -

1st failure - unit developed a loud strut rattle only evident on tiny bumps ie. small joins in the road. removed wheel, found started leaking oil.
Failure 2-6 - has just been the loud rattle from inside the strut.

Andrew at hotbits who has told me that strut has been damaged by the piston bottoming internally.

After repair no.4, an extra half bit of bump stop was added (as advised by Andrew@Hotbits) to help prevent bottoming and I also raised the rear of the car 25mm above the Andrew@Hotbits min recommended height......

.......2 morel rattle failures??

Please note: Andrew@Hotbits has been most helpfull with repair of these units under warranty. Although I'd like to point a finger, Hotbits made these units to Phillcom rally specs. Now as with most first unit productions, turd happens (my image (http://members.optusnet.com.au/~thw01f/stuff/turd.jpg)) and am wondering have they realised this problem and modded the design.........

....thus, why do I have no extra canister on the rear units like these (Black Beards) ?

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~thw01f/stuff/blackscoilsj.jpg

Is this the secret to my problem, what does it do?
Don't be afraid to use the big words, as I need to understand why I get this repeated failure, and what is actually making the rattle noise.

If I can understand why this is happening to me I will accept "karma is owing me, get over it" thus preventing the "12hr drive to Vic/shockie as a b'ball bat" incident. lol

l8r y'all

you dont have the extra bit on the back ones? mine do sounds like yours are totaly different.

Just checked the Hotbits site, haven't been there for about a year, noticed they now have a new range with the "external canister".

u must have the newer canister design

Quote
Hot Bits pioneered the use of the FIXED external oil canister. This gives the shock extra damping oil capacity and permits optimum gas chamber volume for improved suspension stroke"

notice the words "improved suspension stroke" - well thw01f with 5 piston bottoming internally rebuilds, has proved the limited stroke of the old units.

IMO these rear struts will keep failing with this design. 5 rebuilds going on 6 proves this, jeepers, one rebuild lasted only 2 weeks:redface:

I have added the extra 1/2 bumpstop AND raised the car 25mm above the min recommended height.

looks like the canister is the fix for the design.

I'm no ADR or car part design engineer, but shouldn't the design of any shock allow the unit to be protected by the bumpstop BEFORE the piston bottoms?

I'm sure this is a design issue with the older units but I know this was never intended.

Both Anthony and now Shaun@Phillcom have been very helpfull and Andrew@Hotbits has been great, doing a rebuild in 2 days(inc. post to and from Syd-Dandenong)

Even after 6 fails I would still recommend Hotbit coilovers (now the new design) for improved handling and height adj.
Saying this I'm either insane or they are :shock:THAT GOOD:shock: .......u decide

my warranty only lasts a few more mnths

looks like me needs/deserves/wants the canister puppies.

will speak to Hotbits on Monday

I'll take the insane option. If it were me I woulda been crying refund and bought something else after the second time.

i would ask for the newer design, 1 rebuild and a fix for the problem is fine, after 5 rebuilds theres obviously something about the product and i would be kicking up a sitnk if they didnt give me the newer designed ones as its pretty obvious that the ones you have are failing so the product is faulty, should be replaced

I would also ask about getting yours replaced with the external canister design. Yes those are mine pictured, and *touching wood*, I haven't had any problems with them. Hope it all works out for you man.

Hate to say it, but if they don't replace - then I'd be ditching the coils for some custom springs and high quality struts.

"Not fit for purpose"

This is grounds for a full refund. This will make a nice one for Trading Standards / Small claims court to get their teeth into.

BTW what feedback is there on the H****N and F**D forums?

Any similar experiences?

Gerry

hey wolf.....

hate to say this, but i've got the canisters on mine...... and ive now had mine rebuilt 4 times...... the last time my car went in to them, they put in rubber sleeves to prevent dirt buildup (apparently thats what causes the leakages). but i have a sneaking suspicion the drivers front is now bunged. i've raised the car to their specs and adjusted dampening to their specs as well......

but i am of the same opinion as you tho - i would still recommend them (but only just - cos its getting really annoying having to drop my car into them every 6 months)!!

That's appauling. These things should've had a major recall and gone back to the drawing board with their engineering. Can you imagine if this was a car engine and they kept breaking every 6 months. The manufacturer would be forced to do a recall.

i was at a very well known car supplier's head office some time back... dont want to mention any names... i asked the owner, do you guys do coilovers for magnas yet.. he said no one does coilovers for magnas.. i said hotbits do. he said.. hotbits.. then he laughed and repeated, no one does coilovers for magnas.... :confused:

seems hotbits arent a respected brand in the industry

mine were good for the short time i had them.. i had the street spec ones, maybe less problems with them.. who no's :doubt:

so i'd be better off spending some $$ on some decent adjustable koni shocks, and good old whiteline lows?

You should have read the fine print..

It says "for off road use only"

You have been driving them on the street haven't you :doubt:

I've had street spec coilovers on for 8 months now with no problems at all. :pray: they came with the dust boots already attached.

I suspect the race specs are more delicate internally and can't cope with big hits,?? i'd hate to see how long they'd last if someone actually took them "off road" :P .

so yer, i'd recommend having them swap to some street specs, and just have them tune the streets to your preferred setting and be done with it. they should be able to internally adjust the streets shock and choose an appropriate spring rate (i'm actually going to swap for some softer springs, the original ones are a bit too sharp and jumpy to live with everyday).