Product Description
(1) New Feature Hydraulic Bump Stopper (H.B.S.) Provides Comfortable Ride in ALL Seats Even at Full-Load!
TEIN FLEX A is equipped with new feature "Hydraulic Bump Stopper (H.B.S.)" which has been tested and proven effective in the world's harshest motorsports including World Rally Championship and European Rally Championship. When a lowered vehicle goes over big bumps, urethane or rubber bump stopper often causes a big upward jolt and/or rebound and can disturb controllability. On FLEX A, H.B.S., mounted inside the shock absorber, effectively generates damping force near and/or at full-bump, to absorb big impact smoothly. Comfortable ride in vehicles even at full occupancy will revolutionize the industry.
When Hydraulic Bump Stopper is not actuated, as shown in the left image, the valve (green part) is floating and is not blocking the oil flow through the base valve. Damping force is generated just as same as the shock absorber without H.B.S. through the base valve port and the friction of stacked shims. Once the piston rod strokes further than the certain point, as shown in the right image, the valve is pushed down to activate H.B.S. The port is made narrower, limiting the oil flow, to generate high damping force only near and/or at full-bump.
The relief valve installed suppresses the sudden rise in damping force, when the inner pressure exceeds the certain level. By changing the components, operating point and/or damping force specification of H.B.S. can be modified, to optimize the settings for wide variety of vehicle models.
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Effect of Hydraulic Bump Stopper (H.B.S.)
Ordinary shock absorbers have to have bump rubbers to avoid damages from bottoming out. Impact from hitting the bump rubber is huge and the energy accumulated by compressed rubber is released as repulsion force, causing unstable behaviors. With H.B.S., such impact is absorbed and converted to thermal energy inside the shock absorber, minimizing the shock and eliminating repulsion force.
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How does H.B.S. actually work on the vehicle?
With the existing bump rubber, the vehicle suffers from strong upward jolt as going over bumps then is bounced up repeatedly. It takes a while to stabilize such behavior, resulting in unpleasant ride feel.
On the other hand, Hydraulic Bump Stopper (H.B.S.) absorbs such impact smoothly to avoid being bounced up. It only takes a short period of time to stabilize the vehicle. This reduces uncomfortable impact when going over bumps to stabilize the vehicle behavior and improves ride comfort in all seats even on fully-loaded minivans.
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(2) Twin-Tube System for Comfortable Ride on Streets!
Considering the use of larger tires/wheels and the lowered ride height, FLEX A 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.
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(3) Full-Length System for Ride Height Adjustment w/ Minimal Change in Ride!
Full-length ride height adjustment system, used for FLEX A, 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.
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(4) Damping Force Adjustable to Change Ride to Desired Settings!
FLEX A 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 widens damping force adjustable range to about 200% of the existing lineups.
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.
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(5) Compatible with EDFC Series to enable In-Car Damping Force Adjustment!
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.)
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(6) Upper Mounts Included for Easy Installation!
FLEX A 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).
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Product Features:
* Full-Length Ride Height Adjustment Feature. Ride Height Adjustment with Little or No Change in Ride Quality.
* Twin-Tube Structure. For Low Resiliency & Securing Sufficient Stroke.
* Damping Force Adjustment System. 16 Level Linear Damping Force Adjustment System.
* Complete Kit with Upper Mount. Exclusively Designed Upper Mounts are Included.
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RIDE HEIGHT RANGE:
* FRONT SPRINGS (-2.20 INCH TO -0.20 INCH)
* REAR SPRINGS (-2.40 INCH TO -0.40 INCH)
* FRONT SPRING RATE: 8.0 KG
* REAR SPRING RATE: 8.0 KG
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FITS:
* 2024 ACURA INTEGRA TYPE-S (DE5) 2.0L TURBO
FITS:
* 2017 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FK8) 2.0L TURBO
* 2018 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FK8) 2.0L TURBO
* 2019 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FK8) 2.0L TURBO
* 2020 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FK8) 2.0L TURBO
* 2021 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FK8) 2.0L TURBO
FITS:
* 2023 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FL5) 2.0L TURBO
* 2024 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FL5) 2.0L TURBO
* 2025 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FL5) 2.0L TURBO
* 2026 HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R (FL5) 2.0L TURBO
