[bheng89]

Calling on those who have had experiences with various coilovers!

I was recently browsing through the suspension section and noticed a topic about KW Street Comfort. A member stated that damping can only be adjusted from the bottom for the rears (which meant that you needed to remove the dampers in the rear to complete the process).

Although it doesnt specifically state how to adjust on various vendor websites... I was wondering if any of you know whether there were any coilovers that can be adjusted without removal?

On a previous car, I had a spring/shock combo. The Koni Yellows allowed for damping adjustment on the top. Sort of PITA to get to on the rears because the liners need to be removed but nonetheless a lot easier than removing the rears for adjustment.

Thanks for any input!

EDIT: Spelling/Word errors. =]

[MONSTAR]

Damping

[bheng89]

Corrected! lol thanks MONSTAR

[Logicoeur]

Edit: corrected below. I must have been envisioning the club sports.

Looking back to the threads I was remembering they indeed only include 1 knob on each shock. Front, bottom of the shock body. Rears are inverted, and have the knob on the piston shaft.

They are all backordered until late June July apparently. Bilstein are in the middle of a move between facilities.

[B58 parts]

Bilstien PSS10s have zero adjustment on the top. They are only one way bump (compression) adjustable on the bottom (both F/R). They are not adjustable at the top at all nor two way adjustable... I've owned a set, so take my word for it.

The KW V3s I now have are adjustable bump on the bottom, adjustable rebound on the top. I'm not sure about the V2s / street comforts etc.

On the E9x cars you could just get to this point through the trunk. The F30, of course they made the rear shock mounts inaccessible through the trunk. So, it kind of sucks to change the rebound on the rear, but it's not that big of a hassle. Just unzip the shock/LCA bolt, and the 3 shock mount bolts, drop it down a bit, pop off the plastic thingy on the mount and make the adjustment. You don't have to touch the inner/outer LCA bolts so no alignment necessary. I've had to do this twice and am still messing with it trying to get it right. Suspension is so hard to get sorted perfectly ... trial and error, mostly error. The next time I have the car in the air I'll drop the shocks down and move the rebound 2 clicks stiffer.

The bigger issue with the V3s is the rear spring perch doesn't quite have enough height. I have to get the 'spring spacer', and front camber plates, and do the whole thing again. And another alignment, may as well just get the corner balance too. Trial and error...

[kern417]

I'm kind of confused by this topic. Wouldn't you have to remove the rears to access dampening adjustment if it was at the top? I'm 99% sure there isn't any access to the top of the shocks from the trunk. All the bolts and everything come in from the bottom.

Mounting the adjustment at the bottom makes it way easier on most cars. If it looks like this, all you should have to do is jack up the rear and remove the wheel.



The only issue might be if you don't have small enough hands, it might be hard to reach in the control arm. Best bet is reach your fingers up through the gaps in the bottom. If not, remove 1 bolt to move the shock and access it, or remove another to lower the entire control arm. Also keep in mind you have to lower the control arm to adjust the height in the rear anyway.

[B58 parts]

For the bump adjustment at the bottom of the shock, you don't have to remove anything. You can slide under there and move it with a screwdriver. Using jackstands would help make it easier, but I can fit under there and get to it.

For the rebound adjustment at the top, you have to drop the shock down as there's no access from the trunk.

[Logicoeur]

Also discovered that the BC BR coilovers for the f30 aren't compatible with the knob adjustment extension.
[IMG]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/...d33d13_o_d.jpg[/IMG]


I had the extensions on my old Audi and it made adjustment as easy as backing up onto some ramps. Adjust and go. (Photo below showing the knob. The hex nut is under the knob)

The f30 application seems to have a different adjuster instead of the nut you can adjust with a hex key

[bheng89]

Interesting! Thanks for all the information.

I didn't know the design of the F30 suspension was like that. Previous car (MB CLK 320) allowed for the top knobs to be adjusted. Looks like I'll just get used to adjusting from the bottom. hopefully I can take a mini screw drive to it as opposed to removing some bolts.

But at that point, would the V1 and B14 coilovers just suffice. I dont track...I was just worried about comfort level as I take the car for a yearly 4 hour drive to visit some family.
What are your thoughts on that set up?

[kern417]

Originally Posted by bheng89

Interesting! Thanks for all the information.

I didn't know the design of the F30 suspension was like that. Previous car (MB CLK 320) allowed for the top knobs to be adjusted. Looks like I'll just get used to adjusting from the bottom. hopefully I can take a mini screw drive to it as opposed to removing some bolts.

But at that point, would the V1 and B14 coilovers just suffice. I dont track...I was just worried about comfort level as I take the car for a yearly 4 hour drive to visit some family.
What are your thoughts on that set up?

I went with the V1s for that very reason. I know I'm not going to be spending a bunch of time fine tuning the dampening. I just don't have that type of patience lol. I readjusted the ride height once after dropping it and that was it. It rides great.