TEIN is well known as the manufacturer of one of the most technically advanced coilover units produced in Japan. The TEIN coilover was originally designed by two Japanese rallying rivals, Hakaru Ichino and Yoshio Fujimoto. They formed a partnership with each other in the late 1980's but found the shock absorbers at the time were not suited to their style of rallying SO they decided to design and build their own, and by the early 1990's released their first units under the TEchnical INnovation, or TEIN, a name which represents the company policy to produce the best products with the latest technology.
Putting the Customer First
There are two types of shock absorbers, mono tube and twin tube but which is better? Well, that depends on what the customer is using the car for. The mono tube shock absorber due to its unique design is most suitable for challenging races or circuits. The design offers damping force control in extreme or performance use.. The twin tube on the other hand is a superior in ride comfort and cost performance, thus it is most suitable for street use.
What are the differences and how do they work ?
With a twin tube shock absorber, the inner tube is known as the pressure or working cylinder, while the outer tube is known as the reserve tube. The outer tube is used to store excess fluid. The upper mount of the shock absorber connects to the vehicle frame. This upper mount is called the piston rod, and at the bottom is the piston. The piston rod passes through a bushing and a seal at the upper end of the pressure tube. The bushing keeps the rod in line with the pressure tube and allows the piston to move freely inside. The seal keeps the hydraulic oil inside and contamination out.
With a mono tube design, inside the pressure tube there are two pistons - one dividing piston and one working piston. The working piston and rod are very similar to the double tube shock design. The difference is that a mono-tube shock absorber can be mounted upside down or right side up and it will work either way. Another difference is that the mono-tube shock absorber does not have a base valve. Instead, all of the control during compression and extension takes place at the piston.
The area below the dividing piston is pressurized to about 360 psi with nitrogen gas. This gas pressure tends to keep the rod extended. The oil is located in the area above the dividing piston.
The Fulcrum TEIN pricing structure has been realigned to create a more competitive market and provide customers top quality products at a price where people can take advantage of receiving a 2 year, 40,000km warranty. Also, customers will receive the support and knowledge of Fulcrum Suspensions years of under car and suspension service experience.
Visit the new Fulcrum Performance / TEIN website at http://fulcrumpartsbx.partsdb.com.au/performance-suspension//
