KW Variant 3 - Adjustment Specs?

Alstann

I'm about to take delivery of a set of KWv3 coilovers tomorrow, and I was curious - what settings (dampening and whatnot) are you all running them at? Also, if you guys happen to know offhand - how much did you lower your cars with them, and approx. how much did you adjust the spinning height adjusters before you put them on the car?

The set I purchased was used, and unfortunately doesn't come with the adjustment wrenches, so I kinda-sorta have to guess the ride height to put them on my car until I get a replacement set of wrenches.

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SPOHN

I'm not sure how many adjustments increments KW's have. But when you find out start in the middle and go from there. So if it's adjustable by 15 clicks start at 8. If there used just install them and see where it puts you height wise. Take measurements before. Coilovers are really easy to adjust.

I also assume when you mention spinning height your talking about preload. Don't worry about that that will come when you go to have the car corner balanced. The wrenches your talking off are called spanner wrenches. When adjusting height remember to leave room for travel of the suspension if your going to be driving agressivly and tire sizes and what not come into play also.

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DR_

Just order a adjustable spanner wrench off ebay or amazon. I like the kind with notches on both sides so there is more grip.

scruffydog

Hey Alstann,

I just got my KW V3 installed recently and I'm ready to take it in for wheel alignment. I currently have the ride height almost the same as the OEM setting. But from the KW V3 factory recommendations is below:

Front/Rear: 9 click and 1 turn from close for Rebound & Bump.

As for the ride height, if you didn't measure the height prior to uninstalling. OEM Manual states:
Wheelarch Height (from ground to arch) for 19"
Front: 27.87"
Rear: 27.99"

After my install (The highest the rear is allowed to go):
Front: 27.25"
Rear: 27.3125"

Currently drives like stock can clear anything, but since I track my car, I'm not wondering if I should lower it a bit more. Also, anything lower than this, you may have a hard time accessing the jack points without driving your car on wood blocks prior.

Alstann

Thanks for the info!

I actually just finished putting my coilovers on my car about a few hours ago! I ended up using an oil filter wrench to turn the adjustment rings for the height, and it worked like a charm with some elbow grease. My car is sitting pretty low - my intentions were to cut all fender gap. In the front, my car rubs on hard bumps and full turn dips, but it's only rubbing on a tiny bit of plastic. After a few hundred miles, I fully expect the plastic to wear away and leave a smooth area.

I ended up leaving the adjustments alone - a performance race shop installed these coilovers on the previous owner's car, and so I figured it might be at a good setting. Man, does the car handle like a dream! It seriously is incredible how level and balanced the car feels with these coilovers on - it's in another class. I am looking into getting into autoX and HPDE's myself, so I'd say I'm pretty well set!

I'm going in for an alignment hopefully tomorrow - my rear toe is visibly misaligned and my camber is way off! I'm hoping I didn't max out the stock adjustment stuff, but if I did, I'm gonna have to get some bolts and arms. Ah well.

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Alstann

Well, after a trip to my local Firestone (they got a great guy working the alignment machine, let me under the car while he did his work and whatnot), it is as I feared - my factory camber adjustment is maxed out:



Due to my tire sizing (255/40/19 F and 295/30/19 R), the front of my car has a taller overall diameter tire/wheel combo, and after lowering the car to a point where the car only rubs on the plastic fender liner on hard bumps, the rear of the car still has a tad of fender gap. I may decide to switch back to my stock front RE050A to get a smaller diameter, and then looking for a lower profile front tire, like a 255/35/19. Either way, I do need camber arms, front and rear, if I decide to lower more. The opposite end of that is to find a taller rear tire, probably stepping up to a 305/30/19.

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XwChriswX

Tried looking to purchase one of these, are they a particular brand... Not showing up in "Adjustable Spanner Wrench" searches on amazon or ebay.

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14