Tokico disaster

[litlchi]

Sigh, had just gotten these Tokico's with the Cali customs installed for my Q less than a week ago, and gf has been driving it these last few days, until some rough SF streets at 30ish mph created caused havok to the strut. Sigh, I hadn't even got to drive the car yet. In this pic, you can see a silver weld mark where the spring perch should be, a bit under the orange label.

[litlchi]

You can see how far the spring perch has now been displaced. For reference, you can see that silver weld mark between the 4th and 5th coil counting downwards. This is shot from below the car.

[litlchi]

Scratches sustained by the suspension components.

[elwesso]

yikes.. A CLEAR defect on the tokico shock.. Where did you get the struts?

[litlchi]

Ebay powerseller. One of his links: http://cgi.ebay.com/TOKICO-HP-...wItemTalking with one of the people at this store, sounds like they want me to "repurchase" a strut from them, then they will mail it to me. Then the shop will take off the strut and mail it back to them for a refund of the money. They will then deal with Tokico. Their manager is supposed to call me back later today, though it doesn't seem like it since it's already 5PM PST with the contact information for Tokico.

[Jeff Williams]

I would try dealing with Tokiko direct, if possible. Once you "buy" the replacement, I doubt you will get your money back.

It could be disallowed, since you have aftermarket springs, and obviously, your gf was probably re-inacting Steve McQueen's romp in the Bullet Mustang Just Kidding.

That Sucks! Always be the first one to "test drive" the new parts.

The good news, is that the strut is a relatively inexpensive part to replace. Did you sustain any body damage or frame damage in the incident?

[litlchi]

Haha...the mechanic looked it over and didn't see anything damaged, but I'm not sure...I'm in a different state. Yeah....I guess this still applies: DOES ANYBODY HAVE THE CONTACT NUMBER FOR TOKICO? I tried their website, but too many broken links to work. The info is included with every strut from them, but I don't have that anymore.

[elwesso]

I looked and I dont think i have my stuff anymore..... personally I would call Joe, he will know how to get in contact with them...

Lesson learned: If you buy from people like joe, they'll take care of you when crap like this happens!

[66mgb]

I would say that while you have your Q on the lift you install new rubber insulators and dust boots. It's cheap protection for your suspension.

I've noticed that w/ the Cali springs I seem to dodge the potholes w/ more enthusiasm.

[elwesso]

whoa i just noticed you didnt use new dust boots!!!!! DEFINITELY gotta replace those or tokico probably wont honor any sort of warranty

[Skibane]

DOES ANYBODY HAVE THE CONTACT NUMBER FOR TOKICO?

This info's pretty old - may still work...

Tokico USA Inc.20021 S. Rancho WayRancho Dominguez CA 90220800-548-2549310-898-3080

[gniknave]

Those springs were installed wrong. I don't think it was a Tokico defect at all... even though the Tokico's are NOT meant for a 2" drop. It looks like the mistake that was made was that whoever put them on put the bottom of the spring on straight and the strut mount on crooked, instead of the other way around. You have to compress and decompress the spring evenly as well. I've swapped my Cali Custom's off at least 8 times for various reasons and learned this after the first 2 times.

[Q45tech]

Tokicio blues are oem replacement that happen to tolerate Eibach lowering springs not sure they would warranty anything that would be stiffer or different..............not sure they actually warranty the Eibachs.

Good luck..............make sure you don't scrape the paint.

[louiegz]

whoa i just noticed you didnt use new dust boots!!!!! DEFINITELY gotta replace those or tokico probably wont honor any sort of warranty

Not only that, the boot is the bump stop. I found out the hard way.

[litlchi]

Hmm...while browsing, I found this: 2. Exclusions from Warranty Coverage. The warranty does not apply outside of the United States and Canada or to any units which (1) have been improperly installed or installed on vehicles for which they were not designed, (2) have been modified, altered or subject to misuse, Negligence or accident with the vehicle on which installed, (3) are operated commercially, off- the-highway or for racing, (4) installed on excessively lowered vehicles.

What is "excessively lowered"? Damn if that isn't vague.

And for kicks: 3. TOKICO Warranty Obligation. TOKICO's obligation under this warranty is limited to the replacement of the defective or worn-out products covered by this warranty. TOKICO has no obligation to bear any costs of removal or installation and will not be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages.For some reason, I think California is one of the states where consequential damages have to be paid for. Correct me if I'm wrong there...FYI, warranty can be found here: http://www.proamauto.com/tokico7.htmLooks like I can go through any authorized Tokico dealer or through Tokico themselves, but it looks like Tokico can wait up to 30 days before they decide to send out a new strut!!!

[litlchi]

Hmm, not sure what exactly you mean by that. Unless you're suggesting that he didn't put the sping into the groove on the strut designed for the spring, but I think it's hard to tell after the fact, since the spring likely shifted when it was decompressed, so it could have fallen out of the groove...esp since the spring perch looks like it'd free-spin now.

[litlchi]

whoa i just noticed you didnt use new dust boots!!!!! DEFINITELY gotta replace those or tokico probably wont honor any sort of warranty

Yeah, I know...I should have changed those out, but the cars stock suspension was already bottoming out, so I had to get them changed while I was gone. I was hoping/assuming he was going to use the old dust covers. I guess it's too late now...only have a couple more real months of school left...hopefully the new struts can go 6-7 months without too much wear and tear, and then I'll put them on...yes, I know, not OEM standard.

[Jeff Williams]

For what it's worth, I suggest buying a new strut from Joe, buy 4 new dust boots, and have them installed, whatever it costs.

Make sure they are seated correctly, and aligned.

If you decide to drive the car without the dust boots, don't drive in real dusty or dirty areas. Try to keep dirt off the top of the struts.

I would not wait for Tokiko to warranty the strut.

Joe might help you, if you intend on being a lifetime customer. He is a good guy, but remember, he also runs a business that makes money of selling us stuff.

I wouldn't try using those pictures to prove anything except negligence on the installer's part. Tokiko should not warranty it due to the following:

1. non-OEM springs2. lack of proper bump stops/dust boots.

I bet the failure of the strut coule be traced to either or both.

[pdqwrx]

For what it's worth, I suggest buying a new strut from Joe, buy 4 new dust boots, and have them installed, whatever it costs.

Make sure they are seated correctly, and aligned.

If you decide to drive the car without the dust boots, don't drive in real dusty or dirty areas. Try to keep dirt off the top of the struts.

I would not wait for Tokiko to warranty the strut.

Joe might help you, if you intend on being a lifetime customer. He is a good guy, but remember, he also runs a business that makes money of selling us stuff.

I wouldn't try using those pictures to prove anything except negligence on the installer's part. Tokiko should not warranty it due to the following:

1. non-OEM springs2. lack of proper bump stops/dust boots.

I bet the failure of the strut coule be traced to either or both.

The spring perch on that strut MUST be able to handle the weight of the car. Even with stock springs you could bottom out the suspension travel on one corner and end up increasing the weight on a single perch. (Not sure if that made sense because it's late)

Anyway, the strut/perch weld failed and Tokico should take car of it. I would buy the new strut from the original ebay seller and send them the bad one and say please take car of this. I don't see how Tokico would be able to void a warranty due to the springs if they don't know about them.If the seller wont take car of it then give them negative feed back until they do and or dispute it with your credit card or PayPal.

Good LuckScott

[66mgb]

Not only the failed strut - check out your other struts too. If any of the welds look flaky I would be inclined to send those back too.

[litlchi]

Anyway, the strut/perch weld failed and Tokico should take car of it. I would buy the new strut from the original ebay seller and send them the bad one and say please take car of this.

Yeah, I agree with you, this is what I'm doing right now.

66mgb - I did have the mechanic recheck all the struts.

Jeff Williams - I know, in a perfect world, I would do exactly what you said...but just don't have the time/money right now for it. The only part of the warranty I think Tokico could try to dispute is the "excessively lowered" portion. They don't mention anything else in their warranty. Unfortunately, excessively lowered is very vague. Well, hopefully this will all get resolved, but yeah, I agree, I should probably not send the photos. I'll just send back the shocks since that's all the warranty asks for.