FLEX Z inherits all the features and quality of STREET FLEX but the adoption of new platform allows its price to be set at amazingly low range ($800 to $1,050). FLEX Z, of course, maintains the long-favored "Made in Yokohama" quality. Ride height adjustable shock absorber, fully loaded with TEIN's comprehensive technology, is now more affordable prices than ever.
After careful consideration, TEIN came to the conclusion that we need to establish new manufacturing systems and to develop a new product platform, in order to achieve low prices the customers demand. Until now, all TEIN dampers can be disassembled for overhaul; Now, we introduce our new "Sealed Structure" for the FLEX Z. Below is a brief description of this new production process for our FLEX Z at TEIN HQ Factory in Yokohama, Japan.
Considering the use of larger tires/wheels and the lowered ride height, FLEX Z uses twin-tube system, in pursuit of ride comfort on streets.
In order to maintain the ride quality on streets with rough spots here and there, a shock absorber has to have sufficient stroke, be low-frictional and move smoothly.
As an oil chamber and a gas chamber are not arranged serially in a twin-tube system, it is easy to secure enough stroke. Also, low gas pressure keeps friction low.
Its smooth stroke movement makes it possible to follow rough and bumpy road surfaces quite well, offering supple ride at low speed and stable ride at high speed.
Full-length ride height adjustment system, used for FLEX Z, enables adjustment of ride height by adjusting the case length, without changing the damper stroke length and/or spring pre-load. This has the advantage that the change in ride quality is kept minimal when the height is adjusted.
This system not only makes it possible to maintain good balance between the low-down appearance and ride comfort, but also provides more setting choices for sport driving as well.
FLEX Z has ever-popular 16-level damping force adjustment (comp./rebound together) feature with the use of needle valve. By turning the adjustment knob, damping force (stiffness) is adjusted linearly step by step, to change the ride and handling of the car to suit driver's needs/preferences.
Use of well-reputed "ADVANCE Needle" at the needle valve for oil flow control secures sufficient damping force adjustable range.
Whether it's for the handling characteristics of sport driving or for the ride quality according to numbers of passengers, finding the most desirable setting is easier than ever.
With EDFC (Electronic Damping Force Controller) series installed, damping force can be controlled from the cockpit with ease. Stepping motors attached in place of adjustment knobs control the damping force quickly and accurately.
Use of EDFC turns 16-level adjustment into finer 32-level or 64-level adjustment mode (64-level only available with EDFC ACTIVE / EDFC ACTIVE PRO), to provide the optimum performance by fully utilizing the damping force adjustable range drastically widened by the use of "ADVANCE Needle".
With EDFC ACTIVE / EDFC ACTIVE PRO, damping force can be controlled automatically according to changes in G-force and/or vehicle speed, to offer very smooth and slick ride like never before. (Some models are NOT compatible with EDFC series.)
FLEX Z kit includes upper mounts exclusively designed for each vehicle model; either reinforced rubber mounts or pillow ball mounts.
Pillow ball upper mounts for front strut suspensions have camber adjustment feature.
(Some vehicle models use OE mounts.)
After many years of research and study, TEIN has developed optimally-shaped dust boot made of most suitable material. Elastic & highly-durable dust boot effectively prevents damages to the piston rod and foreign substances from getting inside the shock absorber.
(Some vehicle models use OE dust boots.)
Upper mounts and lower brackets are coated with rich TEIN green powder paint. This powder paint has high coating film strength, is highly durable yet is low-pollution due to non-use of harmful solvent. After the shot blasting pre-treatment, the patented "2-layer/1-bake" treatment using anti-rust powder paint is applied for superior durability and high corrosion resistance. (Patent No. 4347712)
On shell case, TEIN's self-developed one-of-a-kind "ZT Coating" is applied, for tougher protection against chipping, often caused by bounced pebbles, and rust. With zero claim rate, against adhesion, out of 500,000dampers sold, we are confident that people living in snowfall area or near seashores would even be very satisfied.
For strut suspensions, sufficiently-thick ribbed plate is used for knuckle bracket to maintain high rigidity. Flange shape edge of the bracket provides larger contact area with the bracket lock, which is fastened with the conical washer inserted in between, to effectively prevent loosening of the bracket lock most commonly occurs on front strut suspensions.
Brackets for brake hoses and ABS sensor harnesses etc are exclusively designed for each vehicle model for hassle-free installation.
Shell case is made of high-strength steel STKM13C and solidly-constructed for firm handling and stable ride.
Included springs are made of high-tensile steel SAE9254 (tensile strength 200kgf/mm2 or over) and cold formed for excellent resistance to sagging and for superior quality stability. Surface is powder coated for superb protection against chipping & peeling, for high durability and for superior anti-corrosion performance. High-quality spring can be used under various conditions without any worry.
The most suitable shape of spring (straight or barrel-shaped) is determined for each vehicle model, to provide wide ride height adjustable range and to secure sufficient stroke without compromising ride comfort.
Specially-formulated high-spec oil exhibits stable viscosity characteristics at any temperature; from low to high, to allow shock absorbers to stroke smoothly and to generate damping force stably under various conditions. The oil has superior anti-foaming characteristics hence the bubble cavitation and/or thermal degradation hardly occurs, making it even suitable for tough sport driving. The oil also does not deteriorate much with age, making it possible to maintain and deliver superior performance for the long term.
TEIN makes NO compromise on after-sales service of FLEX Z. Replacement Service is available for FLEX Z, in the place of overhaul/revalving service, as its "Sealed Structure" components cannot be disassembled.
NO need to return the original shock absorber
As shown above, Replacement Service allows the customer to purchase and replace the shock absorber body, excluding outer parts (upper mount, lower bracket, spring etc.) Replacement Service is time-efficient as the customer can purchase a replacement shock absorber in advance and replace with the old one whenever ready.
SPECS
Brand: Tein
Adjustable: Yes
Camber Adjustable: Front Only
Caster Adjustable: No
Dampening Adjust Type: 16 Way
Damper Type: Twin Tube
Drop Height Front: 0.3-3.9in
Drop Height Front Metric: 8-94mm
Drop Height Rear: 0.6-4.6in
Drop Height Rear Metric: 15-117mm
Height Adjustable: Yes
Independent Height Adjustable: Yes
Spring Rate Front: 336lbs/in
Spring Rate Front Metric: 6Kg/mm
Spring Rate Rear: 280lbs/in
Spring Rate Rear Metric: 5Kg/mm
Top Hats Included: Yes
Mfgr. Warranty: 1 Year
Fitment:
STi 2005-2007 (5x114)
