kw strut failure??

[Monkeymagic]

For sometime now i have been chasing a rattle from the nsf wheel of my car. It started off as a slight. Knock that has developed into something that resembles a wheel being loose. I havedonetop mounts bottom ball joints drop links and lower arm bushes. I started to wonder if it could be subframe bushes. However they have clearly been done and look good.
The knock is there all the time but more prominant going slow over small collections of bumps. It sounds like something topping out.
However i have noticed that i can push each corner of the car down relatively easy except the nsf. I can practically jump on it and it barely moves but i can hear the knock as i do so.
Im left with the conclusion the the strut on the kw1 coilovers has failed and is causing resistance.
Has anyone experienced problems with kws.?

[mike74]

no experience with KW's but from what you're describing, the strut is fubar'd!
just a thought though, have you had a look at the anti-roll bar drop links at all? if that side has seized solid, it might give similar symptoms (to a degree anyway)

[Monkeymagic]

Every single part of the suspension has been replaced now including the drop links the arb pivots when disconnected so its not that.
The fact that i cannot compress the nsf corner would suggest the strut has an internal problem. Its not like ive done loads of miles on them tracked it or had it scraping on the deck. Its higher on the kws than it was on h& r's. Il have to take it off and inspect it without the spring.

[Nuvo]

Has anyone experienced problems with kws.?

See this post from Stu.

[Monkeymagic]

Ive Just gone out that corner is almost rigid. I can kift that corner and you can feel the strut notching as it does. Then it will allow me to push the corner down once then just locks up. . New strut next then. 2 years old and only 6k roughly....! Hopefully a one off.

[Monkeymagic]

Ive jacked the car and put a 4ft pry bar under the tyre and against the floor i cannot move the strut. I think its fair to say its seized.

[spink]

Ive got a bilstein b6 or b8 shock which won't move in or out,it does spin round though so maybe same as yours

[Monkeymagic]

yep it sounds very similar it wont compress or rebound smoothly, it will rotate though.

[re2500]

Contact kw uk directly. In my experience theyre fairly good with things like this. I would expect a warranty replacement!!

[Monkeymagic]

I thought these things had a lifetime warranty, however i have been told it is a 2 year warranty. Needless to say they were 2 days out of warranty when i realised the fault. However it has been ongoing for months but i discounted the shocks. I have contacted Yas who acted as a middle man.
He has been really helpful and if it is a faulty part kw will repair/replace.

[Monkeymagic]

Well now im really very confused. Ive just taken the nsf strut off and the stanchion moves up and down smoothly. The bottom arm pivots well and the arb pivots easily. When i was trying to compress the nsf corner i could hear and feel the stiction. What else could it be.?

[Monkeymagic]

I have been looking at the strut again tonight, every now and again the stanchion will compress with little resistance for the 1 st inch or so then notches back up and makes a loud clunk as it tops out. I reckon something's not right for sure, I'll be posting it away on Thursday. I hope to god it cures it it's really ruining my enjoyment of this car.

[Monkeymagic]

I had a call from Yas of darkside performance today. KW have agreed the shock is faulty and have replaced the internals and posted it out to me today. Excellent news excellent service. Cheers yas.

[Human Joist]

At least you will be ready for gti international now.

[Yaz]

You're welcome Steve, more than happy to help!

I had a call from Yas of darkside performance today. KW have agreed the shock is faulty and have replaced the internals and posted it out to me today. Excellent news excellent service. Cheers yas.