My Coilovers Arrived! - Damaged

**noone** · 09-10-2009, 02:13 PM

Thanks for the sympathy...

If I'm not getting any help from the distributor / transport company, can the strut be replaced easily?

**Stuwey** · 09-10-2009, 02:30 PM

In a word, no. That shaft is the most important part of the damper. That shaft is what seals all the oil in. If it's bent, it'll completely damage the rest of the strut assembly on the first downward stroke, rendering the whole show useless.

Throw it away.

If the dampers are a decent brand, you may be able to buy the shaft as a spare part, ala Koni or Bilstein. Any other brand and she's a bin job i would suggest.

Not a snowflake's chance in hell i would fit that to my car.

**noone** · 09-10-2009, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Stuwey

Not a snowflake's chance in hell i would fit that to my car.

Nicely put.

You're all telling me what I dont want to hear. Does not change that its the right advice tho...

Just rang the guy who will be fitting it, "Throw it in the bin". Again, not what I want to hear.

Well, back to practising patience...hopefully I won't be waiting another few weeks to get this 1 part replaced (or pay for it if I have to), I'm over researching and waiting, want it low NOW!

**Spec83** · 09-10-2009, 02:40 PM

The shock housing itself would be fine, it is the strut link I would be worried about...

That link has suffered plastic deformation, where the metal has been deflected past its yield point and has become permanently deformed. While you can straighten it, the internal 'structure' of the metal itself has been changed from the original composition when cast. This has most likely work hardened the metal making it tougher, but more brittle and liable to sudden catastrophic failure (which is something you don’t want in a suspension component).

You will also never get it 100% strait again, which may affect wheel alignment and tyre wear moving forward.

**noone** · 09-10-2009, 02:59 PM

Thanks Spec, thats a good technical (but too technical) image for me.

Thanks for everyone's input, its all foreign to me...

Time for some diplomatic politics...

**mikepologti** · 09-10-2009, 03:38 PM

mate thats horable. and in the same breath now im claying my self . im expecting mine some time early next week.

**gareth_oau** · 09-10-2009, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by mikepologti

mate thats horable. and in the same breath now im claying my self . im expecting mine some time early next week.

LOL Mike, its "horrible" too!!

**Gti Dave** · 09-10-2009, 09:16 PM

Really sorry to hear about that mate. I certainly hope the freight company would cover it or that the company you bought it off has some form of courier/postal insurance which is quite common with couriers. Hope it gets rectified with no money outta your pocket.