GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

The Tokico D-Specs appear to have some serious issues with the RX-8.

First, the adjustment cables don’t appear to be able to withstand the rigors of the installation process. I’ve had two cables separate on me during installation (see attached picture). I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but after I worked the assembly up into the chassis, threading the cable through a hole in the trunk sheet metal, I twist the cable and it spins freely, like it’s separated from the top of the shaft. I check the cable and it’s securely screwed on to the shaft, so I lower it back down and the nut/ferrule has separated from the braided stainless cable.

This has happened twice to me. The first time it happened (last weekend) I chalked it up to me being a bit ham-fisted, so I ordered another pair of cables, and started again today. Even though I was much more careful same result – cable separated. So now I’m down to two good cables but I have no confidence they will fulfill their intended function after installation. This is a huge dissapointment as the cables are the only reason I chose Tokicos over Konis.

Next, I notice that the damper doesn’t seem to be aligning properly in the shock tower – which is to say, the damper body isn’t concentric with the tower. At first, again, I think it’s my fault, so I disassemble everything, double check the diagram in the service manual, and carefully re-assemble. Same result. Wondering if I’m just doing something wrong I assemble an OEM unit and have only minor misalignment. Again, I’ve posted a picture showing the problem. I estimate that the edge of the top of the damper is within 2-3 mm of the inside of the shock tower. It’s so close that I’m not comfortable installing that way – it seems like there could be interference during operation. I'm not sure what could be causing this - perhaps a poorly aligned spring perch?

This is a real pain for me as my first autocross is in 1 week. I’m not trying to bash Tokico – I’ve had Illuminas on my Miata and found them to be a good quality product. I’m going to contact Tokico on Monday to see what kind of response they have – if they are willing to work with me I’ll still give them a shot. If Tokico doesn’t have a good answer I’m going to run Konis.

I’ll keep everyone up to date on what happens next.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

It looks like an install issue on the misalignment, the shock mount has an oversized hole in the top that the rubber isolator pieces slip through with a 2 or 3" long metal sleeve that fits on the shaft through those rubber pieces to center the shaft in the mount. If your broken adjuster is occurring on the same side thats likely the source of the problem. It's almost as if the top of the shock isn't bolted down fully of some parts were left out,

it's likely the sleeves were left out as someone else did that on a Koni install as I recall, the Koni's come with their own sleeves due to the shaft being thicker than OE, not sure about those Tokicos, maybe you're suppose to reuse the OE ones or they they didn't send the new ones or somebody just messed up ...

but they're not the best shocks to begin with, since you're down I couldn't pass on a small kick in the gut ...

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, I double checked all the pieces, inlcuding the sleeve. I have them in correctly, and the Tokico shaft is the same diameter as stock. Like I said, I reassembled one strut using the OEM damper and had no problems.

I'm not 100% eliminating user error here, but I've gone through this enough times that I think I've got it right.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

something isn't together properly for it to be that far off

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

I'd like to think you are correct. So, I've attached a picture of how I have assembled the rubber bits and the sleeve before I drop the tower on and bolt it down.

And yes, I'm careful to get the top rubber grommet centered in the opening of the top of the shock tower.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

OK, reassembled it again, this time I look at the aligment before I took of the spring clamps. With the everything tightened down, but the spring clamps still on, the alignment is good. Once I take the clamps off the alignment goes askew again. I guess it's a spring problem. Perhaps once I put the weight of the car on it everything will square up?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

it shouldn't go askew regardless, only other thing I can think of is they put the wrong lower spring perch on them, but with that sleeve in there and fully tightened down I don't see how it's getting so far out of alignment

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Once I put some weight on it it squared up.

Also finally got one of the cables in without killing it. It's a two person job unless you really like fiddling with things. Still, I think Tokico should make the connection between the cable and the nut a bit stronger.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

I got both rears in now. Second one was much easier once I understood how to "thread the needle" with the cable.

I'll get the fronts in tomorrow.

Cito

George,

I just put mine in yesterday. The cables were a bit of a pain. I am glad you posted this before I did mine. The fronts are easier. At this point, I have them set to full stiff all around, but no chance to really drive it because of inclement weather. I also need to get it aligned, the V710s are on the brown truck. I will see if I made a mistake by getting the tokicos instead of the konis later this month.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Glad my post helped. I'll get the last corner done tonight. Alignment later in the week. Autocross this weekend.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

I added some info as to how I solved the cable threading problem to this thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...=1#post1280970

It's not so bad once you work it out. Just be careful with the cables.