Eye or Fork Mounting on JDM Shock Absorbers: The Guide Before Buying
Mounting "Eye" or "Fork"?
Understanding JDM shock absorber mountings
Skyline, Silvia, Civic, RX7… how to identify the correct mounting type before ordering a suspension kit
A detail that makes installation simply impossible
Before ordering a suspension kit for a Japanese car — whether it’s coilovers, an air ride kit, or simple shock absorbers — there is one technical point you cannot ignore: the type of lower shock absorber mounting.
On JDM cars, two systems coexist: the Eye mounting and the Fork mounting. These two setups are completely incompatible with each other. Ordering without checking guarantees a product return.
📋 In this article
- The Eye mounting — operation and characteristics
- The Fork mounting — operation and characteristics
- Why this difference exists on JDM cars
- The JDM vehicles concerned (Nissan, Honda, Mazda)
- How to identify and avoid purchase mistakes
⚙️ The Two Types of Mounting
🇯🇵 Why does this difference exist on JDM?
Japanese manufacturers have not adopted a universal standard. The type of mounting varies according to several factors, and the same car can leave the factory with either an Eye or a Fork depending on the version.
The same car can be an Eye on the JDM market and a Fork on the USDM or EDM market. Typical case: Honda Civic EG and Integra DC2.
Between two generations of the same model, the type of mounting can change. A Skyline R32 and a Skyline R34 do not necessarily use the same system.
On some platforms, the drivetrain configuration affects suspension geometry — and therefore the type of mount used, especially on the rear axle.
On some vehicles, the front axle is Eye and the rear axle is Fork — or vice versa. The type can be different depending on the axle concerned.
🚗 The Affected JDM Vehicles
Here are the models where the Eye / Fork distinction is most common when buying a suspension kit. The badges indicate the most common type — but always check according to the year and original market.
The Civic is the perfect example of JDM complexity. The JDM version uses an Eye mount, while the USDM version of the same model — same body, same engine, same year — uses a Fork mount. That’s why manufacturers like Fortune Auto or BC Racing always ask: Eye type or Fork type?
🔍 How to Identify Your Type?
The most reliable method remains direct visual inspection on the vehicle. Here’s how to proceed in 4 steps.
Bridge, jack + stands or ramps. Remove the wheel to have a clear view of the shock absorber's lower mount.
Locate the point where the shock absorber connects to the lower suspension arm or the hub carrier.
Closed round loop with through bolt → Eye
Open U-shaped fork framing the arm → Fork
If in doubt, a photo of the mount in place is enough. Our team confirms the correct kit before purchase.
⚠️ Common Mistakes When Buying
These mistakes are common among Japanese car owners ordering their first sport suspension kit.
- ❌ Ordering based only on model and year — without checking the original market (JDM / USDM)
- ❌ Assuming all versions of the same model are identical — a Skyline GTS and a GT-R can have different rear mounts
- ❌ Ignoring the front / rear distinction — the type can change depending on the axle
- ❌ Thinking you can make it work with a workaround — Eye and Fork are not interchangeable without specific adapters
✅ Summary
The essentials to remember before placing an order:
✔ Checklist before ordering
✔ Visually inspect the lower shock mount (front + rear)
✔ Closed loop = Eye / U-shaped fork = Fork
✔ Check if your vehicle is JDM, USDM, or EDM
✔ If in doubt, send us a photo before confirming your order
At Rasl'Bitume, we always prefer to ask you for this info before shipping rather than seeing you receive an incompatible kit. Send us your model + original market + photos, we will check for you.
🚗 Find the kit compatible with my car
