If it’s your first time to install a shock absorber, then potentially the problem lies in the installation process. First, please reconfirm with your User’s Manual, that all the parts were assembled in the correct order and direction. Next, once you have confirmed that all the parts were assembled correctly, please refer to the User’s Manual and use the torque wrench to make sure that enough tightening pressure was applied. (If you do not own a torque wrench, please ask for advice from your local garage.) Finally, please reconfirm that the vehicle make/ model matches with the installation method and product number.

For shock absorbers with pillow ball upper mounts, it is common to hear noises from within the shock absorber itself. These can be heard especially in cars (such as TOYOTA ARISTO, SOARER, MARK II etc.), which are very quiet in standard form. Also, due to the twin tube structure, you may hear a tapping sound when the oil and gas mix, possibly during transport, and aeration occurs. For the mono tube structure, the oil and gas are in the same chamber, so this sound is inevitable. (* aeration, cavitation) When oil and gas mix and aeration occurs, there is an instant loss of damping force, the piston within the cylinder plays, and this produces the tapping sound.

(Aeration, simply put, is when bubbles forming in the oil making it difficult to produce sufficient damping force. If this happens, please release the air.) If you are using OE mounts and there is large sound, and you can even feel the sound’s vibration, then please contact us because a disassembly inspection may be necessary.

With twin tube structures, oil and gas can mix to cause aeration. If this happens, place the shock absorber in an upright position, and slowly move the piston rod to full stroke 2 to 3 times, to release the air. However, for old types (TYPE – H etc.), the rod length is shorter than the interior of the case, so never move the rod more than the stroke length. The gas in the shock absorber is harmless and odorless, but be careful not to get any oil or other dirt into your eyes etc. This is not claimable and overhaul costs will apply.

Regarding purchasing old used products, unless it is in exceptional condition, we recommend getting it overhauled first. Products that have been used for a long period of time, the inner components are usually worn out, for example an oil seal damage leads to oil leaks and deterioration of the whole product. If used in that condition, it usually leads to structural damage. If an overhauled is performed, the product can be used like brand new, so we recommend sending in your overhaul request as soon as possible.

If using S.TECH’s with unequal pitch (variable rate), it is common to hear such noises because of the design settings (at 1G). S.TECH’s with unequal pitch are commonly used because they are designed to lower the ride height fully expanded (so it will be compatible to OE dampers). Once installed, it is not possible to control the spring, but if it was installed properly, there is nothing to be worried about.

There seems to be some slack built up within the main component. We recommend that you make sure all the parts are tightened properly or consult the store where you purchased/ installed the part.

First, turn the damping force adjustable click, 5 or 6 clicks, then drive. If there is a change in volume or sound quality, then the noise is just the shock absorber working.

For SUPER STREET DAMPERs and other damping force adjustable shock absorbers, the damping force is adjusted by regulating the oil flow within the piston rod interior. There is a by-pass that regulates the oil flow called the orifice. If too much oil flows through this by-pass, a ‘hissing’ sound can sometimes be heard.

Please do not worry, because these sounds are not because the product is defective in anyway.

Do not worry, because this does not sound like a product defect. Rubber bushes are used in various parts of a vehicle’s suspension, such as in the lower installation points, the upper/ lower arm installation points etc. When these bushes become twisted, sounds may be heard while driving. For symptoms such as this, loosen all the bolts with the vehicle at 1G (when the vehicle is stationary on a flat surface) for all the suspension parts (moving parts such as the arm etc). Lightly rock the vehicle a few times, then re-tightening all the bolts. This should straighten the rubber bushes back to normal.

If the rubber bushes have twisted, the ride height may be slightly higher compared to the original ride height. (The installation screws were originally tightened with the suspension fully rebounded, so the bushes tend to twist in the suspension’s rebound direction.)

Generally speaking, when installing our product, the arm maybe at a lower ride height than normal or set at a difficult angle. At this point, for the installed bushes, there is an extremely large amount of pre-load between the outside and inside of the collar. It is necessary to remove this pre-load. On the other hand, in motorsport, this pre-load is taken advantage of by reducing the suspension over 1G, then re-tightening to set the car up even the slightest bit lower.