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      04-11-2019, 09:35 PM   #1
daac
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Access to rear damper adjusters

Anyone ever try to install the remote rear damper adjusters on the F30? KW SC adjusters are at the top but bolts are from the bottom unlike other shocks I've installed whick unbolt from in the trunk. I found a video and took a screen shot showing there is hole above the shock that looks like would go into the trunk. I'm going to pull the trunk liner before I get them installed and see if it's possible.

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And if there is no access through the trunk from some other obstacle I found these from tckline. Might be hoky though.

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Last edited by daac; 04-11-2019 at 10:40 PM..
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      04-12-2019, 07:52 AM   #2
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This is one of the big disadvantages of dampers such as KW which use independent adjusters for compression and rebound, but which are located at different ends of the dampers. It's not too much of a problem for the fronts (because the adjusters can be accessed from inside the engine bay) but getting to the rear top adjusters is a PITA.

It's one of the main reasons that I avoided KW (and ACS rebranded) and looked at Bilstein and Ohlins - adjuster(s) are at the bottom of the damper body.
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      04-13-2019, 12:57 PM   #3
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Has anyone actually opened the trunk liner to check if that hole passes through?
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      04-15-2019, 09:01 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daac View Post
Has anyone actually opened the trunk liner to check if that hole passes through?
There is a plastic cap on top of the OEM top hat that protrudes through that hole so it is blocked unless you remove it.
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      04-15-2019, 11:22 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB View Post
There is a plastic cap on top of the OEM top hat that protrudes through that hole so it is blocked unless you remove it.
Does it serve a purpose? I've seen it install videos doesn't look its doing much but then again why would it be there if it didn't.
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      04-15-2019, 02:35 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daac View Post
Does it serve a purpose? I've seen it install videos doesn't look its doing much but then again why would it be there if it didn't.
I can only speculate but I don't believe it would do much.

Looking at Bimmerworld's F30 build photos you can see that the top of the rear fenders are completely obstructed.
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      04-17-2019, 01:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB View Post
I can only speculate but I don't believe it would do much.

Looking at Bimmerworld's F30 build photos you can see that the top of the rear fenders are completely obstructed.

Yeah that's not looking good. Oh well, set it and forget it I guess.
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      04-17-2019, 02:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daac View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB View Post
I can only speculate but I don't believe it would do much.

Looking at Bimmerworld's F30 build photos you can see that the top of the rear fenders are completely obstructed.

Yeah that's not looking good. Oh well, set it and forget it I guess.
Those TCKline top hats are the best solution I've seen yet. Not sure if it's worth it, though. I change the settings at the beginning and end of every winter.
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      04-17-2019, 03:37 PM   #9
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OP did you get SC's installed? If so how are you liking them?
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      04-18-2019, 06:06 AM   #10
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Yeah that cap has a pin that goes in the hole for alignment if I remember correctly. It also covers the screw to prevent dust from getting in (if that's even a concern in that location). You'd have to drill a hole to get access through the trunk.

I don't think the TC Kline mounts are a good option because it's like adding a spacer to the shock.

I did the opposite as Watsey. I stuck with KW, but got V1s because I knew I wouldn't have the patience to mess with dampening lol.
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      10-04-2019, 09:33 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlev View Post
OP did you get SC's installed? If so how are you liking them?
not yet. they just arrived last week and had an appointment to install this week but my car is stuck at the dealership for some repairs and missed my appointment. I have another thread going and I will update it when the install is complete
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      10-05-2019, 10:44 AM   #12
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Is this a setup where you can run heavy duty fiber reinforced hose over the adjustment part?

I had some coilovers on an RX8 when it first came out and I ran a length through a plastic cap to the knurled adjuster. Worked great for a very long time.

Oh, old but good:
http://www.swankmonkey.com/mazda/rx8...djustment.html
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      10-06-2019, 11:07 AM   #13
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I have KW V3 and ran into this same problem. I was able to route the extenders through in the back, but it takes a little drilling as there's no direct hole though. It's easy and is not compromised in any way. I've been meaning to put together a little DIY on it but have been too busy. I'll try to find some time to do that (with pictures) shortly.
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      10-06-2019, 06:43 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skier_du View Post
I have KW V3 and ran into this same problem. I was able to route the extenders through in the back, but it takes a little drilling as there's no direct hole though. It's easy and is not compromised in any way. I've been meaning to put together a little DIY on it but have been too busy. I'll try to find some time to do that (with pictures) shortly.
would appreciate that
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      10-07-2019, 03:16 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watsey View Post
This is one of the big disadvantages of dampers such as KW which use independent adjusters for compression and rebound, but which are located at different ends of the dampers. It's not too much of a problem for the fronts (because the adjusters can be accessed from inside the engine bay) but getting to the rear top adjusters is a PITA.

It's one of the main reasons that I avoided KW (and ACS rebranded) and looked at Bilstein and Ohlins - adjuster(s) are at the bottom of the damper body.
I agree. As much as I like KW SC coilovers, I wish KW were to move adjustment controls to the bottom.
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      10-07-2019, 12:06 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Watsey View Post
This is one of the big disadvantages of dampers such as KW which use independent adjusters for compression and rebound, but which are located at different ends of the dampers. It's not too much of a problem for the fronts (because the adjusters can be accessed from inside the engine bay) but getting to the rear top adjusters is a PITA.

It's one of the main reasons that I avoided KW (and ACS rebranded) and looked at Bilstein and Ohlins - adjuster(s) are at the bottom of the damper body.
I agree. As much as I like KW SC coilovers, I wish KW were to move adjustment controls to the bottom.
Well KW does have controls on the bottom, it's the bump control. Their rebound is on the top. It would be easier for us if the rear shocks had rebound elsewhere, but it may be a packaging or design issue for KW that keeps that from happening.
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      10-07-2019, 12:12 PM   #17
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It's a packaging problem, across the board. Their club sports allow both adjusters on the bottom. PSS10 is doubly adjustable, but with a single dial on the bottom. BC is in the same boat as KW Vx.
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      10-07-2019, 01:30 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Logicoeur View Post
It's a packaging problem, across the board. Their club sports allow both adjusters on the bottom. PSS10 is doubly adjustable, but with a single dial on the bottom. BC is in the same boat as KW Vx.
That's interesting. Sounds like it's a cost thing. Probably the valving and packaging is there to have the adjustments on the bottom as in the KW Clubsport, but that's a more costly design. So in order to hit their price point targets for their Vx coil overs and other value prices coilovers, they have a different, less costly design with the rebound up-top and bump on the bottom.
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      05-06-2022, 11:25 AM   #19
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reviving old thread...does anybody know how to adjust the damping at top of rear shock on KW w/o dropping the shock?
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      05-06-2022, 03:45 PM   #20
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No can do. Unbolt top, pull it down an inch or two then adjust and put it back.
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      05-07-2022, 01:17 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCalCarGuy View Post
reviving old thread...does anybody know how to adjust the damping at top of rear shock on KW w/o dropping the shock?
Very possible. I did a DIY on it.

F3x Rear Shock Upper Adjustment Extenders DIY https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1659746
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