ST coilover not going low enough

Max drop on 19's give u tuck rears and front...

btw gl with those up north. Salt going to do some damage

Originally Posted by TrippinBimmer

Max drop on 19's give u tuck rears and front...

btw gl with those up north. Salt going to do some damage

Maybe you have the same problem but to a lesser extent, because I've seen a few E46 with ST coils that were slammed. The helpers were still in place, as witnessed by my own eyes.

And like I've said before, this is my summer car. Salt isn't a problem.



To update, I was set on installing everything today but then I just came across the idea of comparing to the springs already on the car.
What I was sent is exactly the same thing. Same height, same number of spindles, same crap (for the mains).

The helper springs are no different. In fact, one says KW and is thinner, and the other is the same type that I already have on my car.
Mismatched helpers is what I received

I've gotten attitude from the KW rep before this, and had to wait over a month for products that were supposedly "being made".
All 4 replacement springs looked like they were sitting in a factory for a couple of months, with more dust than I'd like to see on my TV after a season.
What I ended up doing is raising the back a bit. KW, you've failed.

Remove helper spring and Collar in the rear and u get ultimate slam.

-Trip

Originally Posted by TrippinBimmer

Remove helper spring and Collar in the rear and u get ultimate slam.

-Trip

And poof goes the warranty.

I don't want the "ultimate slam", I just want the product that was advertised to me.

Originally Posted by ac_2007

And poof goes the warranty.

I don't want the "ultimate slam", I just want the product that was advertised to me.

This is correct and what you should expect. I just posted this in another thread about helper springs.

The helper spring does have function. The helper spring helps keep the main spring in place over large bumps or when the suspension is unloaded. It also prevents the main spring from floppy back and forth and making noise when the rod is extended.

i am currently having THE exact same problem with my ST coils that i just installed yesterday. my fronts are completely maxed out and i can barely notice a drop at all, if any.

AC, have you figured out what the problem is?

Originally Posted by wessactor

Ac_2007. Pics you requested

Also, when i got my ST coils i was not given a installation guide, so bear with me. when i installed my rears, i put the ride adjuster on the bottom, as in on the arm, and put the little rubber disc on the top. i see in those two pictures that you have it done the opposite way. is there a correct way of doing it?

Originally Posted by BMW2D4EVR

i am currently having THE exact same problem with my ST coils that i just installed yesterday. my fronts are completely maxed out and i can barely notice a drop at all, if any.

AC, have you figured out what the problem is?

The problem has to be the length of the main springs. I've tried installing the new warranty replacement set and I have the same problem. An entire wasted day just because I was told to "try them out" by Adam Tormey @ KW.

I told him before that the springs are of identical height, with the same number of coils in them as my originals. He probably still thinks that I somehow installed this suspension incorrectly, even when I've had them double checked by my mechanic that they're perfectly fine.


Everyone with this problem needs to call KW (1-800-445-3767) and talk to Adam Tormey. If nobody does this, our problem will get swept under the rug! Something is obviously wrong with a batch of these ST Coilovers. (he already told me this is one of the most popular coilover kits, and they're flying off the shelves without customer complaints)

Originally Posted by BMW2D4EVR

Also, when i got my ST coils i was not given a installation guide, so bear with me. when i installed my rears, i put the ride adjuster on the bottom, as in on the arm, and put the little rubber disc on the top. i see in those two pictures that you have it done the opposite way. is there a correct way of doing it?

You're supposed to install the adjuster on the top, but many have put it the other way as well. I don't see an issue either way, and installing it on the bottom doesn't make it easier to adjust IMO. That's why I installed it according to instructions on top.

UPDATE: So Adam told me they finally found the problem: The main front springs I received are for the Xi E46, which is heavier.

The lack of drop in the front now makes sense, I hope to get them quickly and have this issue wrapped up. I know KW reps are watching this thread, so I'll post updates as necessary.

when you are removing the helper spring in the front, im guessing you take off the little black plastic stopper inbetween the helper spring and the main spring, correct?

Originally Posted by BMW2D4EVR

when you are removing the helper spring in the front, im guessing you take off the little black plastic stopper inbetween the helper spring and the main spring, correct?

Yes, but don't do this. You probably got Xi springs as well.

Contact KW and go from there.

Adam is the tech I typically deal with over at ST/KW. He's always been a great help to me. Glad you got the situation taken care of.

on the receipt i recieved, it says e46 sedan, and i have a coupe. at first i thought it was just a generic receipt, but now that you said you received xi springs, it makes more sense. AC, do you know Adams ext. off the top of your head?

by the way, i called KW and they were asking for info about my car and they asked for my "hub centric measurement" or something like that? he said it was the measurement of the center of my wheel to my fender? anyone know what he was talking about, and how im suppose to find out what mine is?

Originally Posted by BMW2D4EVR

on the receipt i recieved, it says e46 sedan, and i have a coupe. at first i thought it was just a generic receipt, but now that you said you received xi springs, it makes more sense. AC, do you know Adams ext. off the top of your head?

by the way, i called KW and they were asking for info about my car and they asked for my "hub centric measurement" or something like that? he said it was the measurement of the center of my wheel to my fender? anyone know what he was talking about, and how im suppose to find out what mine is?

Adam's extension is 121.

Just fill out a tech sheet with all the info it requires. The instructions are on it: PDF: KW Tech Sheet

Got the replacement springs today, KW was nice enough to overnight them.
They are a different part number, 50-200 whereas my old replacement set was 60-200.
Also, they look skinnier.


Red tape = New springs (3rd set)

^^^going to check if my springs are wrong too... if not i guess the helpers come out

ive been trying to get ahold of adam all week, he doesnt pick up the phone nor return my calls. AC, so the only problem was the main springs itself? they just gave you new springs and thats that? id like to know how your car sits after you install them.

Originally Posted by BMW2D4EVR

ive been trying to get ahold of adam all week, he doesnt pick up the phone nor return my calls. AC, so the only problem was the main springs itself? they just gave you new springs and thats that? id like to know how your car sits after you install them.

I'll probably do the install this coming weekend.

Call and talk to any service rep, I'm sure they're well aware of the issue by now.

Originally Posted by blksab65

^^^going to check if my springs are wrong too... if not i guess the helpers come out

Don't remove the helper spring. If your springs are incorrect you should call over the KW/ST to get it resolved.

Originally Posted by BMW2D4EVR

ive been trying to get ahold of adam all week, he doesnt pick up the phone nor return my calls. AC, so the only problem was the main springs itself? they just gave you new springs and thats that? id like to know how your car sits after you install them.

You can talk to Phil ext 142. He's pretty helpful.