Average Life of Tokico Illuminas

**Puppetmaster** · 01-31-2009, 09:44 AM

Well, kinda. Just trying to get some data how long your Illuminas lasted since these are some of the most popular shocks/struts for the 00-03s. I know this isn't highly scientific, but this is the best way I could think to try to come up with some average mileage.

This will most likely depend on weather, road conditions, other suspension mods, your lowering springs, if any, and maybe also your settings used for the majority of the time, so if you respond to the poll, please post this other information too.

If your Illuminas are BLOWN lease also post what you think was the reason for the shocks blowing (regular wear, bad road conditions, drop, etc), how you verified they were blown, etc. As much info as possible would be good.

If your Illuminas are NOT blown, please also check the appropriate status and current mileage, and post similar information.

This survey may or may not work, but it's worth a shot to get this info.

**Puppetmaster** · 01-31-2009, 09:56 AM

I'll start I guess....

My Illuminas are not blown. They have about 30k miles on them and for the most part have been paired with Progress springs on settings 3F 4R. The front bump stops were cut one "rung" for the last 5k or so miles. I had a few months with H-techs, but it isn't significant.

Road conditions have been relatively good, except the past 2k miles when I had to drive into DC, but I've always done my best to avoid the manhole covers, potholes, big bumps, etc. During that last 2k miles I did turn the settings down to 2/3 for a slightly more comfortable ride.

Prophecy99 · 01-31-2009, 10:07 AM

being <30k there is no telling how long they will really last.
H&R springs and run them soft in the winter 2f/3r hard summer 4f/5r.
Road terrain has been somewhat gnarly and definately have been putting them to work weither they are soft or hard.

**Puppetmaster** · 01-31-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prophecy99

being <30k there is no telling how long they will really last.

No problem, this wasn't for me to try to necessarily predict the life of Illuminas, rather just to see what people have experienced to date. Thanks for the info.

*Progress* · 01-31-2009, 10:37 AM

I have over 30k on my Illuminas paired with H-Techs. Bump stops were cut, I believe one "rung".

I really don't know how many miles exactly. The car has been driven in the midwest and northeast exclusively. Road conditions have been terrible to say the least. Potholes, pavement irregularities, snow, ice, etc. The rears have been set at 4 since install. Front has spent time, almost equally at 3,4 and 5.

*zero2sixtyZ* · 01-31-2009, 10:42 AM

I have Eibachs / Illuminas. The front two Illuminas have been replaced around 20,000 miles ago. I have had the whole setup for the past 40,000 miles. Combined with Boston city driving and occasional trips to NYC, the suspension on my car takes a beating. I usually drive 3F/4R, but when I went down to Maryland for vacations, I crank it up to 5/5, it's pretty sweet on full stiff.

*Metal Maxima* · 01-31-2009, 10:46 AM

Not blown btw 61 and 100k. I am running either Eibach's or H&Rs, I cannot remember, but in either case it's a very mild drop which I would imagine is serving as a positive contributor to their longevity.

**Puppetmaster** · 01-31-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

The front two Illuminas have been replaced around 20,000 miles ago.

Replaced because they blew or just because? Just wondering, thanks... or maybe I'm misunderstanding....

*maximadave* · 01-31-2009, 12:16 PM

50+K miles on Illuminas. The first 25K on Tein S Techs and the last 25K on Eibachs. No problems yet (knock on wood)

Need to get suspension looked at, strut mounts, etc + motor mounts.

*knight_yyz* · 01-31-2009, 12:41 PM

I'm using them with eibach lowering springs, set st 3f5r. No problems, bump stops were not cut but I have noticed that the stops are torn and need replacing on 2 corners. Somewhere around 50k kilometers for me, lots of rough roads in my town, the family jokes it's like going 4x4ing on asphalt...

*zero2sixtyZ* · 01-31-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puppetmaster

Replaced because they blew or just because? Just wondering, thanks... or maybe I'm misunderstanding....

Sorry I didn't explain that. Had one blow out, replaced both to keep it even.

hi-tek22 · 01-31-2009, 06:39 PM

<30k
5F/5R
H&R Springs
DID NOT CUT BUMP STOPS
Have not yet detected a blown strut

random info:
Ive got less than 30k on mine....probably about 18k miles on them all around

I keep mine set at 5 all the time....and on occasion i will set the fronts to 4 or 3...if im doing some highway driving...I also have H&R Springs installed

I havent noticed anything wrong with my struts, HOWEVER, my front driver side does occassionally make a popping noise when i pull down out of the drive way while steering in a particular direction...but its only when its cold out

I may get around to taking it apart and seeing JUST FOR KICKS, what might be causing the issue, but its not that bad to warrant me doing it right now

**Puppetmaster** · 01-31-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

Sorry I didn't explain that. Had one blow out, replaced both to keep it even.

Thanks, so basically one blew before you hit 30k miles?

wyche89 · 02-01-2009, 11:42 AM

mine are fine with less than 30k.. is it bad that i ride around on mine set at 5 all the time for the fronts and rears? lol

PulsarGTS · 02-01-2009, 12:32 PM

Im surprised some of you guys can stand to ride around at 5/5 in the winter. Mine felt a good bit stiffer once the temps dropped below 40*F. But it doesnt help all the roads to my house have repair batches on them.

hi-tek22 · 02-02-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyche89

mine are fine with less than 30k.. is it bad that i ride around on mine set at 5 all the time for the fronts and rears? lol

Nope, I do the same thing, lol...dont feel so bad

**Puppetmaster** · 02-02-2009, 08:24 AM

Thanks for the responses everyone. Please keep the input coming.

Come on, there's gotta be more people who blew their Illuminas...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PulsarGTS

Im surprised some of you guys can stand to ride around at 5/5 in the winter. Mine felt a good bit stiffer once the temps dropped below 40*F. But it doesnt help all the roads to my house have repair batches on them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyche89

mine are fine with less than 30k.. is it bad that i ride around on mine set at 5 all the time for the fronts and rears? lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi-tek22

Nope, I do the same thing, lol...dont feel so bad

I don't know... I feel like even though that's what they were made for, and I'm sure the damping tolerance was made even higher than for the maximum setting, you gotta figure there is increased stress running the damping at full stiff, and more so when it is cold.

Whether it is significant or not is anyone's guess at this point, which is partly why I started this discussion. But as you all know, it probably also depends on your roads - how many bumps you're hitting on full stiff, drop, climate, etc etc etc.

jeff5347 · 02-02-2009, 08:46 AM

i was wondering on this too as i do not have illuminas but plan on installing this spring.
I was curious if you adjust them on a common basis such as
driving around town and usual places with one setting and:
then if you are doing and extended drive such as a vaca or highway for hours were you will be on better/ worse roads changing settings then.

Does adjusting every once in a while lower the life span vs keeping them on the same setting all the time?

*zero2sixtyZ* · 02-02-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puppetmaster

Thanks, so basically one blew before you hit 30k miles?

Yes. In their defense, I had more wheel hop back then, haha.

*Ammi* · 02-02-2009, 05:38 PM

I had blues w/ S-Tech, H&R, and Eibachs w/ nasty road conditions all year round...Worse during winter. Held up 30k miles just fine. Feels much tighter during cold weather though.

*Lontar1* · 02-03-2009, 01:34 PM

I have been driving my Illuminas with maxspeed for over 45K miles and not one blown yet.

njmaxseltd · 02-03-2009, 02:42 PM

Got about 60K out of the fronts. They started to make a slight knocking sound over small bumps at slow speeds. Drove me nuts trying to figure out what was causing the noise. The dampening was still fine, but the knock drove me nuts.
Eventually put a set of Monroe's in. Everthings nice and quiet now.

**Puppetmaster** · 02-16-2009, 07:17 PM

Bump for more info. Thanks.

*Progress* · 02-16-2009, 08:09 PM

I'm pretty sure that I have unintentionally hit 4-5 massive pot holes (like 6-12 inches deep) this winter. Nothing's blown ... yet.

**Puppetmaster** · 02-16-2009, 08:17 PM

Hmmm.... so far the failure rate out of 31 people has been about 4 people or 13% across all mileages, but out of the 9 people who have over 60K miles, 3 or 33% have blown them. i.e 3/4 with blown ones are > 60k miles.

Keep the responses coming folks, thanks.

bigpimpen092 · 02-17-2009, 09:20 AM

I have been running eibach springs with illuminas for over 80,000 miles. I've had the car since 2006 and put the suspension on it right away. The suspension runs great but im tired of the loud bang when you hit a real nice pothole. It's been a long time being dropped. I bought the car with 65k and now im at 147k. No problems yet but I really do want to have a nice smooth ride. Any suggestions?

**Puppetmaster** · 03-07-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpimpen092

I have been running eibach springs with illuminas for over 80,000 miles. I've had the car since 2006 and put the suspension on it right away. The suspension runs great but im tired of the loud bang when you hit a real nice pothole. It's been a long time being dropped. I bought the car with 65k and now im at 147k. No problems yet but I really do want to have a nice smooth ride. Any suggestions?

Are your bumpstops cut?

Better yet, just get some good coilovers like Tein, BC Racing, or JIC.

Bump this thread for more input.