TEIN Suspension Parts: What You Need to Know
Suspension components in your car and truck, including springs, shocks, linkages, and control arms, do more than they get credit for. Besides absorbing impact from uneven road surfaces and contributing to cabin comfort, suspension parts ensure optimized vehicle control and handling when accelerating, braking, and cornering. Parts additionally maximize grip, allowing for improved safety in a variety of driving and weather conditions. By keeping the vehicle level at all times, the suspension system reduces daily wear, lowering maintenance and repair bills.
When shocks and springs start to play up, with pronounced vibrations and noises penetrating into the cabin, and compromised handling due to worn parts, it’s time to consider replacements. Most motorists are sold on the myth that OEM is the best way to go, as it retains factory parameters (such as rebound and compression rates), meaning you get much of the same performance and durability, albeit at a higher price.
Car enthusiasts well-versed in the aftermarket modding scene, however, turn to specialized, third-party brands. And when it comes to suspension upgrades, TEIN USA offers a balanced mix of quality, reliability, performance, and affordability, with extensive tuning options and adjustability to enhance handling in both everyday and performance vehicles.
Company Profile and Key Milestones
Founded in 1985 in Yokohama, Japan, TEIN (or “TEchnical INnovation”) is one of the most respected names in the vehicle suspension market. The company first began producing OEM suspension components, but transitioned to its proprietary product lineup, starting with the Type H Damper, designed for precise handling and fast response in racing applications. Deregulation in its home market meant more products for the street tuning scene, and the introduction of the S-Tech spring line, providing handling benefits by lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity. Part of the popularity was that these were also compatible with factory shocks, so they didn’t compromise stock comfort or durability, even in performance applications.
Global expansion soon followed, with the company establishing regional headquarters, including TEIN USA and TEIN UK. With a presence in dozens of countries, the company is also known for producing suspension parts tailored to regional requirements and conditions, solidifying its place in the hotly contested aftermarket parts sector. This is supplemented by key technical innovations (such as the popular EDFC ACTIVE damping system), a strong racing affiliation, and the huge catalogue of parts to customize the handling characteristics in any car or truck.
Why Shop TEIN Suspension Parts?
Choose TEIN springs and coilovers for proven quality and reliability. All parts are engineered, manufactured, and assembled in Japan, and certified with the ISO9001 certification for quality management. All components undergo rigorous testing procedures to ensure reliability in demanding performance uses.
The company has expanded its scope and production lineup stemming from its motorsport roots to offer performance suspension components for a wider variety of vehicles, from everyday passenger cars to pickup trucks, as well as wheel alignment kits to extend tire life and provide surefooted handling. Using the latest production methods (CAD/CAM designs, automated CNC machining and welding) and proprietary materials (vanadium and its signature green powder coating), and pricing that undercuts competitors has catapulted TEIN to the top of the suspension market.
Key TEIN Products
S-Tech and H-Tech Lowering Springs
Designed as an affordable performance option readily used with factory shocks. TEIN’s S-Tech lowering springs are constructed from high-tensile chrome vanadium. Offering a progressive spring rate for improved control at varying speeds and a drop rate ranging between 1.2″ and 2″ (30 to 50mm) for an aggressive stance, the springs are ideal when modding factory aesthetics with a slammed look and lower center of gravity without having to touch the stock shocks.
H-Tech springs have evolved from early iterations to lower vehicles between 15 and 30mm (0.6″ to 1.2″) while maintaining factory ride comfort and ensuring sag-resistant durability when pushed hard. Like the S-Tech siblings, they also work perfectly fine with the factory shocks.
Flex Z and Street Advance Z Coilovers
Packing full-length ride-height adjustability, 16 levels of damping force adjustment, and a twin-tube design, TEIN’s Flex Z coilovers are ideal for street applications, providing balanced performance, consistent ride quality, and a sporty feel without the high price tag. Kits come complete with strengthened upper mounts, and some offer adjustable camber plates.
For occasional spirited street runs and a more affordable price, choose the company’s Street Advance Z coilovers. These provide varied levels of ride height adjustment via a threaded perch, reusing the factory top mounts. Again, a twin-tube design with 16-way damping adjustment, they differ in height adjustment, affecting spring preload. This means comfort in everyday driving with the customization and simple adjustability when you want to have some fun.
Mono Racing Coilovers
Sitting among the top tiers in TEIN’s lineup, Mono Racing coilovers are the no-compromise choice for pure track performance. These integrate a mono-tube design for linear damping force and adjustment to changing road surfaces. The threaded shock body allows separate ride height and spring load adjustment, complementing the patented Advanced Micro Speed Valve for improved low-speed damping control and a wider damping force range for significantly better steering feel and increased traction. With camber and caster adjustment in the upper mounts stripped straight out of the company’s Super Racing Line and the same 16-way damping force modification, these are the coilovers you want straddling all four wheels when setting lap records.
All coilovers are compatible with the company’s EDFC Active electronic suspension kits that allow drivers to adjust damping settings on the fly with the press of a button directly from the driver’s seat. The system consists of sensors (and EDFC ACTIVE PRO with GPS control), stepping motors, and driver units above each coilover, for maximum control and adaptability without having to leave the car.
