The Suspension Discussion Thread

[Kevin Bacon 5]

The KayDubyas will completely transform your car 8)

 

Still loving my KW V3s. Best coilovers I've had :D

[daleyboy 0]

Can you tell us then how the KW's compare to the FK's ? Is it just finish and the quality feel or do they really work better ? I have the FK sportline edition and they really do work well, but they dont seem to be sprung too strongly, the damper settings make a mahoosive difference. I have taken my time setting them to my liking unfortunately the finish is terrible the powdercoating on the springs have started to peel and the springs have started going rusty, bearing in mind its purely a summer car its really quite poor this is how they look after a year (old photo now) ;

[Critical_Mass 10]

Can you tell us then how the KW's compare to the FK's ? Is it just finish and the quality feel or do they really work better ? I have the FK sportline edition and they really do work well, but they dont seem to be sprung too strongly, the damper settings make a mahoosive difference. I have taken my time setting them to my liking unfortunately the finish is terrible the powdercoating on the springs have started to peel and the springs have started going rusty, bearing in mind its purely a summer car its really quite poor this is how they look after a year (old photo now) ;

 

How long have those FKs been fitted?

[richair 0]

Bit of an update on my choice...

 

I went with the Spax RSX kit in the end from Corby Motorsport at £499+postage. Build quality is very impressive and the threads on the struts are machined stainless steel, so should last a very long time! (particuarly with the amount of grease and waxoil I covered them in!!)

 

The rebound adjusters work very well with a huge range of damping for road or trackdays. I've experimented with different ride heights and have settled on approx 600mm front, 610mm rear (ground to arch). This gives a firm, yet compliant ride that's still comfortable/drivable on very bumpy b-roads. I did go another 10mm lower, but I found the ride pretty unbearable (I didn't want to go too low anyway..). Therefore I'd say they're best avoided for those looking for uber-low stance, although the roads in Shropshire are pretty rough!

 

Overall I'm very happy and they offer exactly what I need at a decent price; the advantage over the competition at the 500 mark is the stainless threads and they also have a 2yr warrenty. Pretty impressed so far :D 8)

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Just to support NeilVR6's findings, here's another example of why you need KW's inox in your life :D

 

So yeah, I was c0cking about in the garage today fitting stiffer springs to my KW V3s and I thought I'd show you why they are so darn good :D

 

Take one rear strut that's been on the car 2 years, and anyone that knows coilovers knows the rears never get hot and therefore corrode VERY easily, and this is typically what you see......crud, waxoyl, paint (if you've been rust treating!) and assorted road grime....

 

 

 

No word of a lie, after a very gentle wire brushing of the threads with WD40 and a wipe down, this is what the damper comes up like....

 

 

And a wipe over of the springs and perches and you have a new looking strut again! I've been through loads of suspension setups and I am very, very impressed by KW's quality :D

 

 

And check this out, 2 years, 40,000 VERY HARD miles and not a single mark on the piston rod and not the faintest hint of oil leakage :notworthy:

 

 

Note the removable collars = rebuildable, so the V3s are an excellent investment imo. Finally, a coilover for life :D

[zak 0]

Agree with the above i've had my v2's for 3 years and they are still going strong. Are you selling your softer springs?

[daleyboy 0]

Can you tell us then how the KW's compare to the FK's ? Is it just finish and the quality feel or do they really work better ? I have the FK sportline edition and they really do work well, but they dont seem to be sprung too strongly, the damper settings make a mahoosive difference. I have taken my time setting them to my liking unfortunately the finish is terrible the powdercoating on the springs have started to peel and the springs have started going rusty, bearing in mind its purely a summer car its really quite poor this is how they look after a year (old photo now) ;

 

How long have those FKs been fitted?

 

 

About two years now.............................

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Agree with the above i've had my v2's for 3 years and they are still going strong. Are you selling your softer springs?

 

Not at the moment. I'll make sure I'm completely happier with the stiffer setup first :D So far so good though.

[Owen VR6 0]

Got these other day and they're being fitted in the next couple of days :clap:

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Good choice sir :salute:

 

Are they 1s, 2s or 3s?

[Leonard 0]

The KayDubyas will completely transform your car 8)

 

Still loving my KW V3s. Best coilovers I've had :D

 

I am properly up for some of these now.

 

Is the softer spring option a chargeable extra do you know?

 

Ta

 

Matt

[Kevin Bacon 5]

No cost option. They just swap them over before shipping the kit out.

 

You might get the original springs as well as the softer ones though, which is what happened to StormchargedVR6!

 

To recap, the standard springs are:-

 

400inlb (70nm) front, 275inlb (50nm) rear

 

and the softer option is:-

 

325inb (60nm) front, 228inlb (40nm) rear.

[Owen VR6 0]

Good choice sir :salute:

 

Are they 1s, 2s or 3s?

 

They're 1s, all i could stretch my finances to unfortunately.

 

Still, i bet they're going to be brill. :D

[Leonard 0]

No cost option. They just swap them over before shipping the kit out.

 

You might get the original springs as well as the softer ones though, which is what happened to StormchargedVR6!

 

To recap, the standard springs are:-

 

400inlb (70nm) front, 275inlb (50nm) rear

 

and the softer option is:-

 

325inb (60nm) front, 228inlb (40nm) rear.

 

BONUS! :grin:

[Owen VR6 0]

So................ I feel like i have a new corrado!

 

I would recommend these to anyone who wants a real compromise between handling and comfort. It handles so so well but feels like a different car over the bumps :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

Just got to get some new wheels now to fill the arches a bit better, these 17s are to big......... i see some saving coming on!

[Philmo 0]

It's nice to hear when peeps make good improvements to their loved ones! :D

What was the rating of the springs you put on then?

[Owen VR6 0]

Not sure to be honest, they were the standard ones supplied by tuningwerks. Could probably find out unless someone on here knows????

[g0ldf1ng3r 15]

advice from those who have or have used KW V1's please :)

 

ive read thru pages & pages of this thread & think my mind is getting somewhere near a big spend but i was hoping those with experience could help a little

 

my vr6 is still on its factory suspension & a rear strut now has more than a leak :( thus the wallet must be hurt

 

im thinking kw v1's, tho who knows how im gona finance them, but i'm unsure of a few details....can anyone tell me....

 

what is the minimum drop they can be set at?

how much bump stop clearance is there when set a minimum drop?

do you see a reduced body roll & increase in driving prowess?

apart from the kit itself, what else is recommended on replacing when fitting as im planning on attempting myself? [im sure ive read somehting about top strut bearings & VW mentioned rear bump stops!?]

 

thanks in advance

 

Oh & if anyone knows where they can be found at good prince pls link me up :)

[Critical_Mass 10]

advice from those who have or have used KW V1's please :)

 

ive read thru pages & pages of this thread & think my mind is getting somewhere near a big spend but i was hoping those with experience could help a little

 

my vr6 is still on its factory suspension & a rear strut now has more than a leak :( thus the wallet must be hurt

 

im thinking kw v1's, tho who knows how im gona finance them, but i'm unsure of a few details....can anyone tell me....

 

what is the minimum drop they can be set at?

how much bump stop clearance is there when set a minimum drop?

do you see a reduced body roll & increase in driving prowess?

apart from the kit itself, what else is recommended on replacing when fitting as im planning on attempting myself? [im sure ive read somehting about top strut bearings & VW mentioned rear bump stops!?]

 

thanks in advance

 

Oh & if anyone knows where they can be found at good prince pls link me up :)

 

Sorry can't answer the first 2 Qs. But going to the first Q, they will drop the car enough for it to scrape on absolutely everything and could even bump you subframe or sump i.e. too low.

 

Since having my KWs fitted ive found the cars more competent round the higher speed corners, less roll. But it does still roll a bit, probably would need a stiffer ARB to stop that. I can fling it round corners more :D

 

Also I dont really notice the hardness of the coilovers compared to OEM suspension, got used to it.

 

As for what to replace - you will need to replace the rubber top mounts on each corner, also the top mount bearings on the fronts. The bump stops wont need replacing as the KWs come with bump stops.

 

Search around on the net for prices. Awesome GTI sell them for £630 inc VAT, try Stealth and see what they sell them for.

[g0ldf1ng3r 15]

thanks 4 the reply critical_mass :)

 

i think i ballsed up up my description 2 begin with tho, was trying to find out the KW max ride height? ie i want to lower as little as possible? im hoping for a handling improvement :)

 

excellent advice RE the bump stops; i didnt know they were included in the KW kit, thanks

 

fully understand about the ARB upgrade, i had considered it but the leaky rear strut has meant the funds need to be shifted to suspension lol

 

in addition, does any1 have any fitting tips/ setup experience? ie caster, camber etc & how much the new KW's will need tweaking once fitted?

 

again, thanks in advance for replys - experience is golden!!

[Critical_Mass 10]

thanks 4 the reply critical_mass :)

 

i think i ballsed up up my description 2 begin with tho, was trying to find out the KW max ride height? ie i want to lower as little as possible? im hoping for a handling improvement :)

 

excellent advice RE the bump stops; i didnt know they were included in the KW kit, thanks

 

fully understand about the ARB upgrade, i had considered it but the leaky rear strut has meant the funds need to be shifted to suspension lol

 

in addition, does any1 have any fitting tips/ setup experience? ie caster, camber etc & how much the new KW's will need tweaking once fitted?

 

again, thanks in advance for replys - experience is golden!!

 

Ha sorry, i misread the question actually. If its minimal drop you're after, are you sure you dont want to just stick to springs/shocks. Koni TA and H&R springs are a highly recommended combination by the folks on here. 40mm drop.

[g0ldf1ng3r 15]

Ha sorry, i misread the question actually. If its minimal drop you're after, are you sure you dont want to just stick to springs/shocks. Koni TA and H&R springs are a highly recommended combination by the folks on here. 40mm drop.

 

no worries, i am grateful 4 ur reply :)

 

i had consindered the koni & H&R route but having read many pages of this thread there did seem to be a trend with some people changing their koni/h&r setup for the kw's

 

my main concern is the performance of the suspension & car in terms of handling, the last thing i want is a detremental effect - hence wanting a minimal drop as possible :)

 

i wonder if the boys at stealth would mind me picking their brains? lol

[Critical_Mass 10]

there did seem to be a trend with some people changing their koni/h&r setup for the kw's

 

I cant argue with that, as i was one of them. :lol: Never looked back either, yes they're harder then springs/shocks but i dont notice nor mind it now. Oh and DONT get cheap coilovers, i had some cheapo v-maxx and compared to the KWs they were hell to drive on, bouncy and really hard at the same time, the rebound was terrible on them, they took a while to settle down after bumps - just for the record :wink:

[g0ldf1ng3r 15]

there did seem to be a trend with some people changing their koni/h&r setup for the kw's

 

I cant argue with that, as i was one of them. :lol: Never looked back either, yes they're harder then springs/shocks but i dont notice nor mind it now. Oh and DONT get cheap coilovers, i had some cheapo v-maxx and compared to the KWs they were hell to drive on, bouncy and really hard at the same time, the rebound was terrible on them, they took a while to settle down after bumps - just for the record :wink:

 

all in all it sounds like the kw's are the 1s to go for then :)

 

I fully understand your advice about cheap alternatives,thanks,as many who have opted to save cash have not been happy with the result......which is the last place I wana be lol

 

can I ask,did u fit your kw's yourself? from what I can understand people say it's not a hard job & thanks to your advice & my Reading I think I know what I need to purchase prior to attemting install but I am a little concerned about what's needs doing once the kit is actually on? I know tracking will but not sure if any other geometry will be effected?

[Critical_Mass 10]

there did seem to be a trend with some people changing their koni/h&r setup for the kw's

 

I cant argue with that, as i was one of them. :lol: Never looked back either, yes they're harder then springs/shocks but i dont notice nor mind it now. Oh and DONT get cheap coilovers, i had some cheapo v-maxx and compared to the KWs they were hell to drive on, bouncy and really hard at the same time, the rebound was terrible on them, they took a while to settle down after bumps - just for the record :wink:

 

all in all it sounds like the kw's are the 1s to go for then :)

 

I fully understand your advice about cheap alternatives,thanks,as many who have opted to save cash have not been happy with the result......which is the last place I wana be lol

 

can I ask,did u fit your kw's yourself? from what I can understand people say it's not a hard job & thanks to your advice & my Reading I think I know what I need to purchase prior to attemting install but I am a little concerned about what's needs doing once the kit is actually on? I know tracking will but not sure if any other geometry will be effected?

 

 

Yeah they were pretty straight forward to fit, but i'd had fitted 1 set of coilovers and 2 springs/shocks before i got the KWs, so had experience of taking them on and off :lol:

 

You will need a 4 wheel alignment doing on the car once the suspension is on, which checks more then just tracking - best find a place that has a 4 wheel laser alignment, dont just go to somewhere like Kwikfit.

 

I read all the time on ED38, of people raising a lowering their cars all the time, but I was advised by my trusted vw specialist that once the suspension fitted, get the height set up how you want it. As once you get the geometry all aligned if you change the height again it will knock the alignment out. :shrug: But i trust what my mechanic says.

 

Anyhow, based on the above. Dont adjust the suspension before you fit it, once fitted, you need to drive the car as it is as the suspension will settle after a couple of weeks of use. After a couple of week you can adjust the height to your preference; i firstly measured (on a flat surface) the fronts and compared that to the back (measure from the floor to the top centre of the arch - when i fitted my kit they came with the front alot higher then the rears for some reason). I then decided how much i want the front and rear to drop. I then measured the thread from the spring plate to the bottom of the thread on each coilover and wound the spring plate down so many mm until i got it to my required height - it took me a few attempts of adjusting and driving to get the height how i wanted it, its still not perfect. But you cant notice it by eye, only if you were to measure each corner.

 

Once you have it all how you want it, get it laser aligned. Then enjoy! :D

 

All the above is based on what I did, but that in turn was based on what i was advised off here.

 

HTHs

 

Gaz