KW Original Setup

[Ruffiano]

First off, posting from my phone so please pardon any errors.

I picked up a set of KW V1 Coilovers and had some questions about the fitment, wanted some insight from you guys.

Here is a picture, these are NOT my V1s but this illustrates a few of the questions i have.



So obviously the KWs are much shorter then Stock, Looking at the picture I would assume that the Tie rod end would be placed on top due to the difference in hight, however checking the new KWs the taper is still larger on bottom indicating that i should still fit the tie rod in the standard configuration, assume that i would need to just extend the tierod.


Secondly about the castle nut fitted, as you can see this strut assembled with the strut mount almost fully compacts the helper springs, is this correct? seems like they should have some space to move, to do their helping bit. I'm assuming this could be improper assembly and that the main spring should be lowered to allow the helper spring more room for a softer ride. Does the Castle nut need to be fully wound down the strut?


Those were my main two inquires, might have more when i actually fit them. Cheers

[Nuvo]

It looks to like you have the coil-over assembled correctly to me. Sorry I can't really answer the questions you have raised. Although I would tend agree with you view that the tie rods adjusters need to be extended to compensate for the lowered position of the arm.

Here is another question to throw into the mix: Can the OE drop links still be fitted to the coil-over now that the steering arm is fixed at a lower height?

[Ruffiano]

That is a good question, i'm assuming it would just sort of "pre-load" the bar, but not really sure. There were no instructions or any paperwork with the new coilovers, perhaps I should be asking KW some of these questions?

[Nuvo]

This installation guide should help you out (although it doesn't answer all of your questions). The coil overs are supposed to come with a "comprehensive fitting guide" according to KWs website.

[Ruffiano]

Hmm mine came just like this: no guide to be found and no "supplied hardware" besides the adjustment wrench

[re2500]

That all looks normal to me mate, my KW v2's are the same...
The steering arm is lower on the V1 leg so that the steering arm angle is corrected for a car that will potentially sit much lower than standard. The reason the helper spring is almost completely compressed is because the coilover in the picture is wound up a little, you would find that if the coilover was wound to its lowest then the helper spring would be less compressed, the lower the car the more you would need the helper spring. The lower ARB (sway bar) mounting point also corrects the ARB angle for a lowered car.
Hope that helps

[re2500]

One other thing, to remember, the helper spring will always be compressed once the weight of the car is on it. A helper spring does 2 things:
1. it takes up the slack between the difference in length of the shock absorber and the spring... when weight is lifted from that corner of the car (i.e when jacking up) with out the helper spring the main spring would flop around on the strut when the coilover ride height is wound to a lower setting.
2. the other reason is mainly for race cars, when the wheels are tucked up into the arch, it allows the wheel to drop sufficiently when jacked up in order to remove the wheel.

The helper spring will in no way affect the ride of the car, its redundant once the car has its wheels on the ground. I suppose if you got air time over a bump for long enough for the shocks to fully extend then the helper spring would be used, but thats very unlikely....

[Error404]

yup the steering arm is lower to reduce bump steer

[Ruffiano]

excellent, Thank you both for your answers! it makes much more sense now!

[Kliminati456]

see Dave like I said lol Just kidding its good to have confirmation though as I was just going on what made sense in my head. Those helper springs are only there to keep the top hat seated properly in rough conditions and will completely compress when on the car so don't worry to much about them. The "comprehensive guide" really is not so comprehensive at all and doesn't answer many questions like yours at all. The only thing you need for the V1s is the height adjusting wrench. Looks like yours didn't come with the washers I was speaking about but I wouldn't worry about those as their more of a pita than anything.

[4WheelDrifter]

Once the picture loaded after 2 day, I could see what you were talking about.

Here's my KW V1's to confirm what you've already found:



I advise keeping KW's contact details ready for ordering spare parts.

[G60Rallye]

When did KW swap from using what looks like the standard steering arm to the fully fabricated set up pictured at the start of the thread?

As for the lowered steering arm its already been largely covered, you ideally want the steering arms horizontal at normal ride height. That way you will get less bump steer under compression or lift from its normal ride height. With the coilovers lowering the car, you want to lower the steering arm to compensate just as KW have. The sport quattro struts have a lowered steering arm compared to normal UR struts for the same reason.

[andy10v]

When did KW swap from using what looks like the standard steering arm to the fully fabricated set up pictured at the start of the thread?

034 started selling the kw manufactured struts rather than modified cores about 2 years ago. I would assume sometime around about then.

[Ruffiano]

Mine didn't come from 034, but you are right about the timing, I probably wouldn't have purchased them if I had to send my cores to germany to be built, not worth the hassle. This way is so much more efficient and they are so much sexier looking.

[4WheelDrifter]

Mine were bought in 2006 and have covered about 2k miles so far. But one of the purple spring caps has broken already. KW are kind enough to sell spares though.
I had a SS strut bend on another car, a leaky damper after only about 20k miles on another, and I've also had an older alloy lower spring perch break too. They are not exactly high quality items from KW IME. But comfort vs handling is hard to beat.