Myth of blown shocks?

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

It very much depends on the dealership.

- Andrew

Sigh...

Originally Posted by churchx

Adverts in no way relate to warranty policies. Just target in catchy/effective marketing way potential customers. Many manufacturers that have made cars for sporty driving purpose deny warranty if find out one was used in such purposed/designed for way. How about no warranty for Evos with dealers taking pics at autocross/track days events? Or how about funny story about VDC off/launch control on GT-R? And Subaru? How this sounds: "For instance, even though Subaru pops for a one-year SCCA membership for every interested WRX buyer, and in its marketing materials appears to encourage owners to enter their cars in autocross events, the company says autocrossing is racing and racing can void warranty coverage. The WRX/SCCA application form says the SCCA"looks forward to helping you fully experience the benefits of owning this car."But the form also includes a disclaimer that Subaru’s warranty excludes "damage or failure resulting from participation in competition or racing events."" ?

It's false advertising... a conspiracy, I tell ya!

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

It very much depends on the dealership.

- Andrew

Unfortunately not out here on the west coast... every warranty decision that doesn't have a TSB the directs the decision is made by a brand rep, not by the dealer.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Unfortunately not out here on the west coast... every warranty decision that doesn't have a TSB the directs the decision is made by a brand rep, not by the dealer.

That sucks.

- andy

[wparsons]

It all depends on the warranty work being asked, and the dealership, up here. I had the dealership spend a couple hours trying to track down a slight oil leak under warranty coverage with an oil cooler that I installed, track tires and squeaky brakes and they didn't bat an eye. They even commented on how the oil cooler looked like a nice piece and it definitely wasn't the source of the leak.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by wparsons

It all depends on the warranty work being asked, and the dealership, up here. I had the dealership spend a couple hours trying to track down a slight oil leak under warranty coverage with an oil cooler that I installed, track tires and squeaky brakes and they didn't bat an eye. They even commented on how the oil cooler looked like a nice piece and it definitely wasn't the source of the leak.

The truth is that the dealer is always on your side when it comes to warranty work; they WANT the work. They get paid whether it's by you, or by Scion/Subaru.

The problem is when they spend hours diagnosing a problem, and then Scion/Subaru says no to the warranty work; now they're out that money. This is why a lot of dealers charge a diagnostic fee; they charge you up front for 1-2 hours of work, but if the work ends up being warranty, then they refund you 100%. If the work ends up being non-warranty, but you elect to have them do the work, then the diagnostic fee is credited toward the work you have done. If the work needed is not warranty, and you elect to not have the work done by the dealer, then they keep the diagnostic fee. At the end of the day, someone is working on your car, and the dealer just want to make sure that people are getting paid for the work they perform.

[weederr33]

So coilovers would be the better choice then?

[Gunman]

I don't think the "you'll blow your shocks if you use lowering springs" bit is a myth, but more like a story that's been blown out of proportion. I've heard that line since the late 80's when I put 2" drop springs on my Ford Ranger, and I dove it for over 100,000 miles on the OEM shocks.

Now, like many have said previously, use too short of a spring, or the wrong spring rate, so the damper is working outside of the range it was designed, then yeah, you'll cause the damper to fail early.

Now, don't even get me started on the "Don't cut your springs, it's dangerous" myth. LOL

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

The truth is that the dealer is always on your side when it comes to warranty work; they WANT the work. They get paid whether it's by you, or by Scion/Subaru.

The problem is when they spend hours diagnosing a problem, and then Scion/Subaru says no to the warranty work; now they're out that money. This is why a lot of dealers charge a diagnostic fee; they charge you up front for 1-2 hours of work, but if the work ends up being warranty, then they refund you 100%. If the work ends up being non-warranty, but you elect to have them do the work, then the diagnostic fee is credited toward the work you have done. If the work needed is not warranty, and you elect to not have the work done by the dealer, then they keep the diagnostic fee. At the end of the day, someone is working on your car, and the dealer just want to make sure that people are getting paid for the work they perform.

Which is why I always laugh at the "not going to honor this warranty claim case? I'm going to sue you" mentality thrown around by car owners.

Once you want to talk about a lawsuit, it becomes zero responsibility of the dealer to help you and it will be taken by the manufacturer as they are the ones who will deny warranty claim payouts.

-alex

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by weederr33

So coilovers would be the better choice then?

Depends entirely on your own needs and budget. Just because the shocks are more matched up to the springs does not make it better overall, as you also have to deal with more parts that can move or fail.

-alex

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Gunman

I don't think the "you'll blow your shocks if you use lowering springs" bit is a myth, but more like a story that's been blown out of proportion. I've heard that line since the late 80's when I put 2" drop springs on my Ford Ranger, and I dove it for over 100,000 miles on the OEM shocks.

Now, like many have said previously, use too short of a spring, or the wrong spring rate, so the damper is working outside of the range it was designed, then yeah, you'll cause the damper to fail early.

Now, don't even get me started on the "Don't cut your springs, it's dangerous" myth. LOL

I think the real source of the myth of blown shocks from lowering springs has roots in kids throwing 2+" drop springs on 200k km older cars with shocks that were already well beyond their useful lifespan and then complaining they blew from the lowering springs. Most shock manufacturers suggest replacement at 80k km's, even if they're being extra cautious I wouldn't expect them to last more than double and still be in anything close to stock shape.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by wparsons

I think the real source of the myth of blown shocks from lowering springs has roots in kids throwing 2+" drop springs on 200k km older cars with shocks that were already well beyond their useful lifespan and then complaining they blew from the lowering springs. Most shock manufacturers suggest replacement at 80k km's, even if they're being extra cautious I wouldn't expect them to last more than double and still be in anything close to stock shape.

Correct.

Stock shocks can take lowering springs, however their projected life cycle will be reduced.

The dealer has no problem putting performance springs on a new car because 1) the manufacturer will pretty much guarantee performance of it within base warranty period, and 2) it is a money making sale as most dealers profit greatly from selling packages and options.

Shocks that last 100k under normal use with stock springs will probably end up with 50-70% of that lifespan with lowering springs, but no one cares because it's still well beyond the factory range.

-alex

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Which is why I always laugh at the "not going to honor this warranty claim case? I'm going to sue you" mentality thrown around by car owners.

Once you want to talk about a lawsuit, it becomes zero responsibility of the dealer to help you and it will be taken by the manufacturer as they are the ones who will deny warranty claim payouts.

-alex

You laugh? I'll sue you!