This was posted in the Gen1 xB forums, but I thought that Gen2 guys would find this interesting as well. If you guys have any questions about the process please let me know.

Tanabe performance coil springs have an extremely high tensile strength of 2100nm using only cold formed steel. This is the meaning behind the '210' suffix at the end of all Tanabe high performance coil spring lines. Within our manufacturing process lies the secret in the Tanabe spring's strength and extended durability.
Tanabe owns and operates one of the most advanced coil winding machines in the world. In addition to the coil spring machine, Tanabe springs are manufactured using several patent pending processes that cannot be found anywhere in the world!


1. COLD WINDING
Coil spring winding is the process where the high tensile steel is wound in the spring coiling machine, and the spring takes it's shape and length. Large rolls of high tensile steel are fed into this machine for the winding process. Using our advanced coil machine, our cold winding process maintains a very low temperature to wind the spring. Most springs are manufactured using an older hot winding technique, which heats the spring to a very high temperature to soften the material and make easier to wind. High heat, even for small amounts of time, unfortunately causes a detrimental side effect of causing the internal molecular structure of the steel to expand, which in turn weakens the overall strength. By maintaining a low temperature during our winding process, the internal structure is kept tightly packed, which maintains the steel's strength. Cold winding is the best process for producing a spring with extremely high tensile strengths. Because cold winding does not expose the material to high temperature, very advanced machinery such as ours is required. Most manufacturers are unable to cold wind their springs because less advaned winding machines would cause the high tensile steel snap if cold winding was attempted.


2. COLD TEMPERING
Tempering is a process that hardens and further strengthens the steel. Tempering improves the consistency of the internal structure to eliminate the possibility of weak spots within the spring. The coil springs are processed through this machine, which keeps them at a specific, constant low temperature for an exact amount of time. This process is monitored closely to ensure that temperatures do not vary so all remaining internal resistance at the molecular level is removed, and the spring increases its strength.



3. TRUE INDIVIDUAL SHOT PEENING
Shot peening is a process that shoots various size steel ball bearings against a surface, to cause beneficial unevenness of the surface, which improves tensile strength. Older shot peening processes perform this on one large batch of springs, which greatly reduces actual coverage. This machine is unique in that the coil springs are processed individually to ensure maximum and even coverage during the shot peen process. The coil spring is run through two unique shot peen processes, which is part of the confidential formula for Tanabe's 2100nm of tensile strength. This patent pending process for true individual double shot peening is unique to the Tanabe Shiga factory.



4. HUMID GRINDING
For the PRO210 adjustable coilover springs, the top and bottom edges are humid grinded flat, for fitment onto the seats and spring perches. Conventional grinding methods cause excessive friction, which causes high temperatures which dissipate throughout the spring, reducing overall strength due to heat expansion. The Humid Grinding machine is very advanced in that it does not produce excessive heat during the grinding process.



5. 100% LOADING
Loading of the spring is part of the final testing process after production. Loading the spring compresses the spring to measure the strength and ensures tolerances within the spring's structure. Conventional loading processes load it to a maximum of only 50-70%, which causes a possibility of sagging and deformity. Using this machine, the spring is compressed 100% to determine that each spring has full function, and will never deform. By loading the spring to the full 100%, the spring is pre-engineered and tested to never sag.



6. MEASUREMENT AND TESTING
Each specification for the spring is measured and tested after production, to ensure the spring rates and lengths are even and consistent, which ensures perfect fitment, function, and quality for all springs. The extra steps for quality assurance is part of why Tanabe has the world quality manufacturing certification, ISO9001.



7. POWDER COAT
After production and numerous inspection testing, the springs are finally sent for powdercoating and logos.

 

Nice infomercial.

 

lol It is somewhat of an infomercial, but I think that its a great opportunity to inform and educate customers so that they can make an educated decision on what kind of parts they want to run on their vehicles.

 

You Tanabe folks are pimps, plain and simple.

 

ooooh I love my DF210's. Thanks so much Tanabe!!!

 

^^ I'm sayin'. Just one look at homeboy up there in those pics with his pimpometer, all quality controlling those springs tells you that you are getting the goods when you buy Tanabe.

大和魂,

YAMATO DAMASHI!!!

 

Thank you for the compliments! We take pride in every product that we produce and everything is manufactured 100% in Japan.

 

Don't get me wrong, I meant that in a good way, hence the smiley. I love knowing how things are made and that good materials and engineering went into them.
Thank you for putting it up.

 

Thanks!!! Ill try to host some more articles in the future for you guys!

 

First post on the forums, and i really liked what i saw and ordered my df's from ptuning.

hopefully they'll come before the weekend so i can install.

to tanabe!!!

 

Thanks for the compliment! You might want to do a step by step install writeup for your vehicle. Im sure that alot of members are insterested in doing the install themselves but maybe a little intimidated if they are unsure of what exactly is involved.

 

Just ordered some DF's a lil while ago from ptuning.com.....I can't wait to see what they look like once they're on my gen2. Tanabe was too hard to pass up, so many good comments about their springs!!!!

 

Tanabe FTW!!!

 

I hope that you are happy with your purchase. After installing them, please leave feedback good or bad about the product.

 

i have these springs.. 3inchs in front.

can i fit 18s on it?

 

I'd like to know if the DF210 for the Scion 2008 xB are those springs linear or progressive?

 

Good question uberspeed. I bought a set of NF210's and they don't look like the pictures above or on Tanabe's website. The NF rear springs are closer in the middle, and farther apart on both the top and bottom (progressive?). The front springs look evenly spaced (linear?).

Haven't had the time to get them installed yet, so no pics.

 

Not sure, but I'd like an answer from the manufacturer, I tried it via email and nothing so I made a public request for info and hopefully this will work.

 

I took the day off and installed your DF210s on my 08 xb. I admit, I was a little hesitant choosing the DF210s because of ride comfort, but am pleasantly surprised how nice the ride is still.

Do you guys have any plans for other stuff? I would prefer having matching suspension pieces from the same manufacturer, but your communication on the gen2 xb forums are very limited.