BC Racing Customer Service

[downedzephyr]

So basically I'm extremely disgruntled with BC Racing's customer service at the moment, but before I get more into my gripe I must first explain the situation:

I was driving my coupe regularly (not thrashing it all over the road or hitting bumps at super high speeds) and my front left coilover develops some kind of horrid creaking and thumping noise. The noise manifests itself whenever I either hit abrupt bumps in the road or turn my wheels more than one rotation of the wheel. In addition, my gas pedal has developed a vibration as a result of the damage I suspect the coilover has, and I can no longer adjust the dampening rates of my left coilover because the adjustment knob will no longer turn. This coilover issue is a major problem for me since I commute to school and also must travel on the weekends for work.

I contacted BC Racing and explained this very situation to them, and after requesting numerous pictures, asking if they were properly installed (I had a shop install them to avoid any of the following issues), and asking me to adjust several different parts to ensure everything was properly tightened, there is no end solution in sight. In fact, it almost seems as if they're sending me on a runaround in order to avoid helping me (whether it be offering me replacement parts or the like). I'm extremely pissed. /rant

[BadaBing7189]

damn man sorry to hear this guess like i am going to try nd put the coupe on air ride

[downedzephyr]

damn man sorry to hear this guess like i am going to try nd put the coupe on air ride

I would kill for an air ride setup... too expensive for me though.

[BadaBing7189]

ya i know im so going to go for it just need to get the body right first then airride comes into play

[RicerX]

No bueno man. Definitely keep us posted on what happens. Perhaps they're just going through the usual troubleshooting steps in order to arrive at a best solution? What are the next steps from them? Have they just left you hanging?

[AlexM.]

I know a lo of people that have had great customer service with BC. I've had a few bad experiences personally. No response to e-mails, no follow up e-mails. But on the phone they're knowledgeable I'd say.

[downedzephyr]

They're asking me to make sure the nut for the adjustment knob is fully tightened (using an allan key), ensuring it's been properly preloaded, and verifying that the install was done properly. It usually take a few days for me to respond to them since I'm at college and it's a bit difficult for me to work on my car without tools, but even after that it takes a good few for them to respond.

Here's my issue with their instructions: how am I to adjust the preload when the adjustment knob will not turn at all? The video they sent me:
http://vimeo.com/28427984

I mentioned to them in previous emails that very issue and they're still sending this to me, citing this as a possible source of the noise/vibration. Seriously BC Racing? It's like you're not even listening...

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

They're asking me to make sure the nut for the adjustment knob is fully tightened (using an allan key), ensuring it's been properly preloaded, and verifying that the install was done properly. It usually take a few days for me to respond to them since I'm at college and it's a bit difficult for me to work on my car without tools, but even after that it takes a good few for them to respond.

Here's my issue with their instructions: how am I to adjust the preload when the adjustment knob will not turn at all? The video they sent me:
http://vimeo.com/28427984

I mentioned to them in previous emails that very issue and they're still sending this to me, citing this as a possible source of the noise/vibration. Seriously BC Racing? It's like you're not even listening...

They are asking you this since this is usually what they hear and what "fixes" it. I need to call them also since mine seems to still be making the "knocking/popping" sound. Similar to what you probably have whenyou turn your wheel getting out of a parking spot or your driveway.

[Flores45]

Mine started doing the same popping/knocking sound over the weekend. Here was my problem

All you have to do is loosen the dampening knob with a 14mm wrench and remove it to get to this nut which is 17mm then hold it down with a 5mm allen key and just tighten up the bolt. Problem solved!!! Try that worked for me, oh yea and I did this with the car jacked up on the side i was working on just to make sure.

[AlexM.]

^^ I hope this works for me. Excited to try tomorrow

[RicerX]

Mine started doing the same popping/knocking sound over the weekend. Here was my problem

All you have to do is loosen the dampening knob with a 14mm wrench and remove it to get to this nut which is 17mm then hold it down with a 5mm allen key and just tighten up the bolt. Problem solved!!! Try that worked for me, oh yea and I did this with the car jacked up on the side i was working on just to make sure.

Dude... totally off topic, but your sedan is CLEAN with those wheels. Are those the Varrstoens?

[Flores45]

^^ I hope this works for me. Excited to try tomorrow

So whats the word, did it work for you?

Dude... totally off topic, but your sedan is CLEAN with those wheels. Are those the Varrstoens?

Thanks bro, Yes they are Varrstoens.

[AlexM.]

I didn't try it. Tomorrow / Today after work! Tired of everybody looking at me crazy when I'm parking at meets lol

[downedzephyr]

there's been a noticeable reduction in the noise since i did it but you can still hear it. i also have to retighten the nut after a few days of driving since it seems to work itself loose again. and lastly, the adjustment knob won't go back in and won't turn, so that's still a big issue.

[2010alticoupe]

I'm kinda worried, I don't get that noise on my car. But I'm wondering if that's something That will eventually occur.

[alphapig]

My dampening knob is working perfectly fine

However I've started getting the random clunks on slow, more-than-full-rotation turns

I'll try tightening that bolt today, I'll see if it helps

[AlexM.]

How the hell do you get a 14 in there without removing the entire strut?

[Flores45]

What you mean? Its simple just stick a 14mm open end wrench in there to remove the dampening knob. Its the silver part right under the knob then remove it, Then just tighten up the nut !

[AlexM.]

I understand where everything is but I don't see how you're getting the wrench flat enough to where you can turn the nuts properly. I'm thinking a 15 might work but it looks like the 14 worked for others too.. Idk

[alphapig]

I understand where everything is but I don't see how you're getting the wrench flat enough to where you can turn the nuts properly. I'm thinking a 15 might work but it looks like the 14 worked for others too.. Idk

It't not the best angle but it's possible.

I did this 2 days ago.

Less clunking, but still happens at times. Unsure if it helped

[downedzephyr]

for the bottom nut i used a rachet. i'm still not happy with the fact that i still can't adjust my dampening or the fact that my adjustment knob popped itself off while i was driving and is now bent.

[AlexM.]

Thanks guys, I'll try again.
Dzeph good luck getting this resolved man.

[Flores45]

It't not the best angle but it's possible.
Less clunking, but still happens at times. Unsure if it helped

Same thing I did just angled it in there still gets the job done.

for the bottom nut i used a rachet. i'm still not happy with the fact that i still can't adjust my dampening or the fact that my adjustment knob popped itself off while i was driving and is now bent.

Or a rachet!! I lost mine ....Damm bro that sucks have you asked them to replace it? Sounds like maybe something is broke since you cant turn the knob.

[downedzephyr]

i've been trying to get them to proceed but they've been sending me the same generic fixes. i guess they don't understand that the problem is more than just the noises?