REVO VS GIAC!!! J/K... actually just an update on my blown shock (good news)

[neoprufrok]

So as some of you know, I had been having an increasingly rough ride, severe pulling to the driver's side with braking, and bad leaking from the left driver's coilover.

Initially, in talking to KW NA (I have KW v2's), they wanted me to take the coilover off, take the spring off and send them the shock/coil assembly for them to fix it.

This wasn't acceptable to me because I rely on my car, and I couldn't be without it for 1-2 weeks it would take for me to ship it to Canada, have them fix it, and send it back.

Tom at KW talked back and forth with David at Pro-Imports (GREAT guy!!! recommend him highly). I've bought my KW's, Stoptechs, and now my HSport Sways from David. David got them to send me the tool and insert that was necessary to fix the coilover.

So last night I took the left front apart. Took the coilovers apart. Brought the coilover, tool, and insert (which is essentially just a koni shock) to New Dimensions, and they just quickly replaced the blown insert (covered in shock fluid) and gave it back to me. I just installed it tonight.

After putting on the fixed coilover, the difference was amazing. Ride was much much better. Braking was much more controlled, although there is a little pull - likely due to the extensive toe out my car seems to have now (need to get it realigned). I'm just happy I can brake straight!

Anyways, this will do me good until my next set of coilovers go on.... and my sways go on.... updates to come!

[Jeff]

Originally posted by neoprufrok
So as some of you know, I had been having an increasingly rough ride, severe pulling to the driver's side with braking, and bad leaking from the left driver's coilover.

Initially, in talking to KW NA (I have KW v2's), they wanted me to take the coilover off, take the spring off and send them the shock/coil assembly for them to fix it.

This wasn't acceptable to me because I rely on my car, and I couldn't be without it for 1-2 weeks it would take for me to ship it to Canada, have them fix it, and send it back.

Tom at KW talked back and forth with David at Pro-Imports (GREAT guy!!! recommend him highly). I've bought my KW's, Stoptechs, and now my HSport Sways from David. David got them to send me the tool and insert that was necessary to fix the coilover.

So last night I took the left front apart. Took the coilovers apart. Brought the coilover, tool, and insert (which is essentially just a koni shock) to New Dimensions, and they just quickly replaced the blown insert (covered in shock fluid) and gave it back to me. I just installed it tonight.

After putting on the fixed coilover, the difference was amazing. Ride was much much better. Braking was much more controlled, although there is a little pull - likely due to the extensive toe out my car seems to have now (need to get it realigned). I'm just happy I can brake straight!

Anyways, this will do me good until my next set of coilovers go on.... and my sways go on.... updates to come!

Ack!... no wonder there are "0" replies... well.. here's a reply. :)

When you are mentioning "difference" and better braking, is this due from less understeer and better steering response? I love the quattro system, however, the understeer on our cars somewhat nasty. I've been thinking for the longest time of a stiff rear sway bar to stiffen up the rear, but dont know of too many B6 guys who are running it. I'm sick of running 40psi+ on the rears just to "try" to throw out the back end during hard corners. :) Maybe REVO and GIAC should start making suspension products... =X j/k

-Jeff

[neoprufrok]

Jeff,

I was referring mainly to the ride harshness above - having the blown shock just gave a completely harsh ride. As for the understeer/oversteer, I've autox'ed my car on two occasions and I think in between those two occasions, the shock blew. So my impressions of the KW system was really only for the first autox.

Between going from sport to KW V2's, I noticed a big change in the car's rotational feel. The car tended to push less than before but still wasn't oversteering at all. Much more neutral. I also have my rebound adjusted to 75% firm in the front and 90% firm in the back.

I have two more suspension adjustments to make...

1. I'm installing HSport Sway bars. These are not for the A4 but are actually designed for the S4. The ony difference between the two being that the S4 rear bar is 24mm hollow vs the A4 Hsport rear bar being 22mm hollow. Both A4 and S4 Hsport sets run 35mm hollow fronts. I talked to Mark Hotchkis about running just the rear and his feeling is that you could do that, but the roll would not be reduced as most of the roll resistance is given by teh front bar. Thus, he felt if I wanted more oversteer, going with the S4 bar would be good.

2. Another coilover setup that will be with linear springs at higher spring rates and custom valved dampers with rebound adjustments... that'll be end of this month hopefully.

I'll keep you updated.

[Jeff]

Originally posted by neoprufrok
Jeff,

I was referring mainly to the ride harshness above - having the blown shock just gave a completely harsh ride. As for the understeer/oversteer, I've autox'ed my car on two occasions and I think in between those two occasions, the shock blew. So my impressions of the KW system was really only for the first autox.

Between going from sport to KW V2's, I noticed a big change in the car's rotational feel. The car tended to push less than before but still wasn't oversteering at all. Much more neutral. I also have my rebound adjusted to 75% firm in the front and 90% firm in the back.

I have two more suspension adjustments to make...

1. I'm installing HSport Sway bars. These are not for the A4 but are actually designed for the S4. The ony difference between the two being that the S4 rear bar is 24mm hollow vs the A4 Hsport rear bar being 22mm hollow. Both A4 and S4 Hsport sets run 35mm hollow fronts. I talked to Mark Hotchkis about running just the rear and his feeling is that you could do that, but the roll would not be reduced as most of the roll resistance is given by teh front bar. Thus, he felt if I wanted more oversteer, going with the S4 bar would be good.

2. Another coilover setup that will be with linear springs at higher spring rates and custom valved dampers with rebound adjustments... that'll be end of this month hopefully.

I'll keep you updated.

Cool thanks! Now back to GIAC/REVO flaming :) j/k

[1sicknickel]

I usually dont do this but Ahhh.. Keep the party going. anyways congrats blown shocks suck all you hear is a clunk noise over bumps