Riddle me this (dampers and ride height)

Matt82

Matt82

Matt82

Soldato
Joined
13 Mar 2004
Posts
16,649
I fitted a set of Koni adjustable dampers on the BMW today.

Fitted them was pretty unremarkable, everything went straight on with new top mounts and i used the existing springs.

I have noticed now that the steering wheel is set about 10* to the right when driving straight ahead. Checked the tyre pressures and theyre OK.

The front of the car is at least 10mm lower now and i know the ride height has an effect on the effective length of the track rods, but i have not experienced it having that much of an effect.

The front ride height shouldnt be effected by the dampers as theyre inserts into OE bodies.

Anyone come across something like this before?
 
Stiction in the suspension mounts?

It may have had a problem before that you have now resolved? Was the front suspension u- evenly worn?
 
the dampers must have a 10mm shorter shaft/stroke than the old ones if its made the car drop 10mm ?

or are the top mounts different ?
 
Have a look at your track rod ends, are they adjusted equally, i.e. with the same amount of exposed thread on either side? They should be adjusted at the same time, however some places may just adjust one in order to get the toe correct.
 
"andy" said:
the dampers must have a 10mm shorter shaft/stroke than the old ones if its made the car drop 10mm ?
Click to expand...

That would make the fitted length of the strut 10mm shorter, but with the weight on the strut the ride height would be exactly the same as before. You'd just have 10mm less extension available.

One thing worth checking is if the bottom of the strut is correctly located in the top of the upright (assuming the two parts where separated to fit the new dampers).

When I fitted Koni dampers to my old Civic I got a noticeably reduced ride height, but they were complete struts so the spring seat was obviously not in the same location as the originals.
 
Simon said:
Stiction in the suspension mounts?

It may have had a problem before that you have now resolved? Was the front suspension u- evenly worn?
Click to expand...

I didnt think of stiction, so i when i left this morning i lifted each side by the arch to see how it felt and it moved freely

Heres another point. The top mounts are new, the old ones were trashed, i think the car would have gained 5mm more ride height just due to the new top mounts

perhaps the additional rebound damping compared with the static weight of the car prevents the spring from extending as far as it used to??

either way the car drives lovely. the dampers are obviously firmer but i get LESS shakes in the interior.

the old top mounts must have been adding friction into the steer, even the steering feels nicer, it responds nicer

i have set the rear dampers a tiny bit too hard but other than that i absolutely love this car now
 
I always rate Konis, great straight out of the box and you only have to tweak them a bit. Coiloivers seem to much grief and hassle in my mind for a road car.

I have Koni yellows on my S2000
 
Tonight was my first chance to drive the car slightly hard. The new dampers have been nearly as much of a transformation as having the geometry set.

The rears are set a tad hard, only by a small amount. The car settles in a corner instantly. No funny lurches, it feels like you could take huge liberties with it now.

I have put it back on the original wheels, I want the car to look completely original. The wheels arnt as nice looking as the Evo wheels but the slight loss of ride height makes the car look totally ace, the ride height (visually) is completely optimal.

Not had a chance yet to tackle my favourite testing road but ive got high expectations.

I think ill have those rear dampers off again this weekend. I set them to one turn from soft, i think ill take it back half a turn... this car feels like it could be utterly devestating now :D
 
Matt82 said:
Tonight was my first chance to drive the car slightly hard. The new dampers have been nearly as much of a transformation as having the geometry set.
Click to expand...

But you just said the steering wheel isn't even straight any more so now you have whacked out geo.

Anyway, one thing I can tell you is the e36 drives best (on my suspension kit anyway) with much softer damping in the rear than the front (I mean 11/16F 2/16R).
 
Nooo, i meant those numbers that Clarkey posted. I imagine theyre the number of "clicks" he has bound/rebound front and rear.

Mine are only rebound adjustable
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom