RA28 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Good evening all, having decided to go for a set of HSD coilovers, I was tempted by some used Tein CS alloy bodied ones from ebay. The fronts are in great condition and they all have good damping and no leaks. I am now in a dispute with the seller due to the condition of the rears being riddled with galvanic alloy corrosion. I have removed the powdered aluminium oxide to see what is left. Not being a metal expert, I am not sure if the corrosion will have rendered these units unuseable, or if they are thick enough to cope with losing around 0.5mm of their thickness in places. Pictures attached for those who are intersested and coments welcome from those with an unhealthy interest in metallurgy. Of course you are also entitled to mock me for trusting an ebay seller; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA28 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Share Posted November 7, 2012 60 views and nobody wants to comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 What HSDs are they, CS2s? Id certainly never put those near a car, and Ive never seen a damper corrode like that. Also I thought the damper bodies were steel not ally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA28 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Share Posted November 7, 2012 Thanks for the reply. These are not HSDs, they are Tein Comfort Sport. The new version is steel, but they used to use anodized alloy. They are very light in weight. Apparently galvanic corrosion in alloy usually occurs where there is salt water and steel in contact with the alloy that causes electrolysis. This turns the alloy into aluminium oxide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra900bhp Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 I have tein coilovers on mine and there just over 7 years old and look nowhere near that and i've seen better on some old escort!! I would not be happy with them either what has been said by the ebayer?? anything about a refund? did you pay by paypal if so hopefully you migt be able to go under unfit for use ie unroadworthy!! worth a go hope it sorts it self out asap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackin_n_bashin Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) From what I can see on the phone, they are knackered, top pic seems to show delamination of the alloy. You will have lost a lot more than 0.5mm, how deep would you have to go to remove all trace of that corrosion?! Edited November 7, 2012 by hackin_n_bashin (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Hopefully ebay will sort you out and get your cash back, but those are fit for the bin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Most of these Asian dampers are made from total junk alloys. I have said for years, buy German, Scandinavian or British dampers. Tein are a load of junk, too. IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 That looks distinctly like abrasion and not just corrosion to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA28 Posted November 10, 2012 Author Share Posted November 10, 2012 An update on this. The ebay seller (surrey vinylwraps) has messaged me to say I should not have purchased these if I am so picky. I suggested that they refund half the cost as the front units are in good shape. There was no response from the seller and now that 10 days have passed I have escalated the case to ebay and they will make a judgement on this. Does anybody have a decent set of rear adjustable coiloversfor sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 You want a matched set, i'd be after getting all my money back and go buy something else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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