Saisoku Motorsports - absorber / adjustable service and tune ups

(pictures) Before service and cleanup of the EDC motors — and after.

The unit on the right is before cleaning, while the left side shows the condition after service. The difference is clear once the contaminants and residue are removed from the internal passages.

EDC motors play an important role in the damping system. Oil flows through the EDC valve assembly into each chamber, then continues into the inner tube where the piston operates — a twin-tube absorber construction.

On the BMW F10 platform, there are 2 EDC motors in each absorber, controlling rebound and compression damping separately. As mentioned earlier, hydraulic flow passes through these motors to regulate damping pressure. Any debris or contamination inside the motor can cause incorrect damping response, inconsistent ride behavior, or delayed control action.

At Saisoku Motorsports, every EDC motor is carefully inspected, cleaned, and tested to ensure proper oil flow and accurate damping control. Clean internals mean smoother operation, more precise response, and performance working the way it was designed to. When it’s clean — it works.

Analyzation is key whenever absorbers come in. It helps us pinpoint the root cause of issues like:

• Noise / unwanted sounds
• Leakage
• Weak or mismatched spring rates

Let’s break down a real case:

In the first picture, you can see debris traces — these came from a completely crushed bump stop foam.
Question is: why was it destroyed to the point there’s barely anything left?

Simple answer: the spring was too soft.

This setup came from a Honda Odyssey (ODC) rear. These MPVs carry serious weight — especially in Malaysia, where full passengers + luggage is the norm. The original setup used an older non-flex Super Wagon spec:
10kg spring rate, 200mm length.

That’s just not enough to handle the load.

Later on, TEIN R&D realized this limitation. The updated Flex Super Wagon setup moved to:
14kg spring rate, shorter length (around 180mm or less)

This is a much better baseline.

For heavier use or aggressive setups, options go even higher:
16kg – 18kg springs, typically around 160mm length.

Why shorter?
Because a longer spring at high stiffness won’t compress enough — making it impossible to achieve proper ride height (especially if you want it low).

Now, another important point:

In some Odyssey models (like RC1), the spring is separate from the absorber. This means:
• Spring handles the load
• Absorber focuses on damping

Result? The absorber bush lasts longer.

But in RB-series setups, where spring and absorber are combined, things change. You’ve got high spring rates (14kg and above) directly affecting the absorber assembly. The weakest point becomes the bush.

Even more so if using materials like teflon (as mentioned previously).

Reality check:
These ODC bushes will wear out. No surprise there.

Best solution?
Stick with original rubber bushes. They’re more forgiving and durable in real-world conditions.

Expected lifespan:
About 3 years (or less for daily-driven heavy-use vehicles)

Maintenance is part of the game. Replace them regularly and you’ll avoid bigger issues.

Finding rubber bush replacements can be a hassle — but we’ve got you covered.

At Saisoku Motorsports, we stock the proper rubber bushes.
Just reach out to us.

Nefore and after flexZ from non serviceable to lifetime serviceable..

What a relief when absorber are now serviceable.. Not jist some crap cap but tein alloy cap..

No longer drive angrily.. But peace of mind thinking of the future..

So not just normal merc absirber we can service, but electronic damping control as well.

Buying new absorber with this electronic control just costs you a bomb.. Then option out there just the fake ones.. Where the damping conteol wire are looped to give u no error on the dash.. But whn turning on the damping option, theres no changes in damping.. Yes wire just loop, the electronic damping control does not work. Again, wire just loop and no error. Its fake

Might as well just send over to us and bring back the glory days at low costs.
Damping cpntrol at your command. It works!

Tein for DC5 came.
Upon checking, found out no oil inside. Was informed by owner aborber haven't serviced but where did the owner gone?

After close inspect, found out absorber kaki was cracked due to the teflon bush.. Impact was too great until it cracked the kaki..

So we weld back kaki and replace with original rubber bush. Yes, rubber bush expires after quite some time but the punishment is not damaging the chassis.

So absorber back to glory days.. And the damping back to normal.

It is normal. For the bush to wear out for this kind, which absorber and springs together. Weak points are the bush. Bush can be replaced, dont worry. We have the parts.

Germany Merc CBU came for suspension refreshments..

All original w204 absorbers service with rear Bilstein mono B4 serviced.

Absorbers now lifetime serviceable

Changed dust cover, stoppers and mountings.. Also absorber links.

Now car run beautifully..

Once on autobahn now malaysian roads..

Tein alloy cap... On stock absorber..

These are for twintube absorbers..

Lifetime serviceable.

From utara with flexZ..

Now its lifetime serviceable.. With tein alloy cap.. All originals with abit stiffer by 25%

So servicing absorber not just dismantle and straight away replace seals n rings.. But there are something else need to be done..

Such as polishing the shaft, polish inner tubes.. Replace the faulty parts or expired parts such as inner bump stopper (important).. Dust covers and ext bump stop.. To name a few..

Other than replacing parts.. Find the root cause what causing it to leaks..

In some cases, the tube chassis itself come to a point where it got expired.. How expired.. It bends, chasiss itself have leaks.. Holes..

Ive come accross wherr the first generation TEin.. d tube chasiss all rusted up.. Not just surface rust but burst inside causing leaks tho it just tiny hole.. Yeah, can be weld.. But depends on how thick is the tube chassis.

Normally we advice the owner to migrate to the latest tech for safety. You see, tube chassis is the structure which holds your car weight. Talking about those absorber together with the spring.

Nuf said.. Giive it a thought.

Honda HRV.. Theres a myth where original absorber are nice only up to 2 year.. Then after, it felt soft..

Its normal.. If its daily.. The more you drive.. And more mileage.. Suspension oil got expiry.. Depends on how big is your load or how hard is your route from point A to point B.

Just change your absorber or if you appreciate your original parts.. Get it service. Not just change the oil, but get it total clean inside..

Serviceable.. Convert yours today!