KW V3 rears sagging

[bengtc]

so is this an issue with everyone using kw coilovers?

[tboooe]

so is this an issue with everyone using kw coilovers?

No, it does not seem to impact everyone. FWIW, I have had my 30mm spring spacer on for 3 weeks now and my drop is exactly how I wanted it to begin with.

[willyspub]

I've already bumped an old thread in the B8 A4 forum but there is quite a bit more activity from KW owners here. Does anyone have a picture of their front tower drilled-out for damper adjustment? I would like to see a picture of someone's done before I blindly take a drill to my car from the top. How deep from the hole is the adjuster once the hole is drilled?

Would love to hear people's experience on this as well.

[svander]

Honestly just thinking of drilling into my strut tower gives me a panick attack so I discounted the option off the bat. I'd rather have the whole kit taken out and adjusted than do that. Personally.

I'm sure if done right it would have no complications but I don't think anyone here has ever done that, at least not so far.

[tboooe]

Honestly just thinking of drilling into my strut tower gives me a panick attack so I discounted the option off the bat. I'd rather have the whole kit taken out and adjusted than do that. Personally.

I'm sure if done right it would have no complications but I don't think anyone here has ever done that, at least not so far.

Amen brother!

[bengtc]

Most people just have an issue with the rear spring being shorter than advertised. I think there have only been 1 or 2 people that had spring sag.

The issue is the maximum rear height on the KW coilover (without the added spacer) was 1.25" drop from stock B8 S4 (on my car). It was advertised to drop much less than this.

I considered drilling the tower, but decided against it. One can adjust the strut, without removing it, by unbolting the upper mounting bracket from the car, but it takes
some careful contortion to do it with the KW supplied thumb adjuster.

Thanks!

[t0mt0m]

ok before and after shots
i wish i had more pics right after i raised my car from a dropped ride height but this is all i have

here is a pic of the rears sagging
pic from 3.12.12


two weeks after the spring spacers installed

rear spacing

front spacing


ride quality has gotten better, my rear doesnt bottom out and my exhaust doesnt rub

[RWD2quattro]

I have the KW V2 springs (for my B8 Avant) in my hand....the code on this particular spring is "1034 22G11"...still not sure if it's different than S4 sedan.

The rear perch is 2.5" and the uncompressed absolute spring length is exactly 11"

FWIW the front spring for my Avant is "1033 20G11".

I just got my KW V3 for my 2012 S4, box code #35210097, Front springs 1033 02G12, Rear springs 7003 27E11 with EDC cancellation. Spacer # 65030611 HZ 22/11 and threaded part #65091012 HZ 32/11 with a plastic spacer I guess on the back side.
Adjustment on the bottom of the shock, 4 levels IIRC. It says for A4/S4, S5 coupe/conv and RS5.

I'll post once installed, I'm waiting on my Stoptech's, exhaust and soon wheels. It's time.

[oinkoinkpig]

Did KW change anything to the V3 to fix this problem? I'm about to order coils but it seems like bilstein is a better choice...

[tboooe]

Did KW change anything to the V3 to fix this problem? I'm about to order coils but it seems like bilstein is a better choice...

KW is never going to admit that they fixed anything because they wont even acknowledge something is wrong. The reality is that many people dont have any issues with the minimum drop. It seems this problem is limited to a few of us on this forum. That being said, I have the 30mm spacer installed on my car for the past 3 weeks, and my ride height has stayed stable.

[oinkoinkpig]

Pss10 it is then.

[LeadToRome]

Pss10 it is then.

As a KW customer I say to you: Good choice.

KW's "customer service" on this issue has been horrendous.

[Snyper886]

My V3's are sagging as well. The spring length isn't correct, but I'm weary about the spacer. I hate the fact the spacer loads the springs more than original design. Only reason I went V3s was because they were used at a good deal, otherwise PSS10 for sure.

Did anyone confirm the Avant version rear springs are longer then our sedans?

FYI my rear springs are marked 7003 60210070 17/E/10. I wonder if newer springs have been tweaked.

[cory_can]

I've already bumped an old thread in the B8 A4 forum but there is quite a bit more activity from KW owners here. Does anyone have a picture of their front tower drilled-out for damper adjustment? I would like to see a picture of someone's done before I blindly take a drill to my car from the top. How deep from the hole is the adjuster once the hole is drilled?

Would love to hear people's experience on this as well.

Honestly just thinking of drilling into my strut tower gives me a panick attack so I discounted the option off the bat. I'd rather have the whole kit taken out and adjusted than do that. Personally.

I'm sure if done right it would have no complications but I don't think anyone here has ever done that, at least not so far.

Amen brother!

I went ahead and drilled from the top with a 1/8" bit.....super easy and the rebound adjustment screw is only an inch or so from the top and it's dead centre. After I drilled I applied a coat of touch-up paint on the metal and now I'm going to track down some simple rubber caps or plugs. There should be absolutely no fear in doing this mod and now it's VERY easy to make adjustments by inserting a 2mm allen and feeling the clicks.

[tboooe]

I went ahead and drilled from the top with a 1/8" bit.....super easy and the rebound adjustment screw is only an inch or so from the top and it's dead centre. After I drilled I applied a coat of touch-up paint on the metal and now I'm going to track down some simple rubber caps or plugs. There should be absolutely no fear in doing this mod and now it's VERY easy to make adjustments by inserting a 2mm allen and feeling the clicks.

Pics would be awesome!

[cory_can]

Pics would be awesome!

Not the greatest, but it should give you an idea. The second pick shows you how shallow the adjuster is once you have the hole drilled.

[svander]

Props on having the courage to do it, man.

How do you adjust the rears?

[cory_can]

Props on having the courage to do it, man.

How do you adjust the rears?

I haven't started that investigation yet.

[Snyper886]

Nice job, I did the exact same for the fronts as well. The rears I haven't done as you'll need to go behind the liner so access isn't as simple as the fronts.

[svander]

This gives me all sorts of ideas... like fabbing up a dial-style knob with marks that outline the setting and attaching that around the hole; changing a setting would be as simple as opening the hood and rotating the dial to the desired number. Maybe the rears could be made to work the same way with a hex key with a flexible extension...

[tingbro]

Guys, just saw this thread after installing a set of ST coilovers for my S5 yesterday. I have the exact same issue with rear spring being too short and being lowered at 1-1.2 inches at the highest setting. Looks like I will need to order the 30mm spring spacers.

I still have a clicking/faint clunking noise coming from the front left and cannot figure out the problem. I've already checked to make sure everthing is tightened and there are no leaks or damage on the front coilover. Anyone with a similar problem figured out a cause?

Thanks!

[Snyper886]

Info I received from KW:

7003 - 270mm (S4 Sedan)
1034 - 280mm (A4 Avant)

Spring rates are the same.

Cory-Can - with your kit, can you go higher than your current drop, and what's your gap in the rear?

[tboooe]

Info I received from KW:

7003 - 270mm (S4 Sedan)
1034 - 280mm (A4 Avant)

Spring rates are the same.

Cory-Can - with your kit, can you go higher than your current drop, and what's your gap in the rear?

Sorry for reviving this thread...after installing my 30mm spacer, my car has dropped another 1/4" over the past month so I am right back to where I started from prior to the spacer. The spring perch is at the maximum distance so I have no more room for adjustment.

I have a good chance of getting the A4 spring and will try this out. I will keep everyone updated.

[Snyper886]

Sorry to hear the spacer didn't work out - I'm still on the fence on ordering replacement spring or spacer but seems the spring is the way to go.

[CreoSTi]

after installing my 30mm spacer, my car has dropped another 1/4" over the past month so I am right back to where I started from prior to the spacer.

That's odd... I've been running my 30mm spacers for 6+ months and the ride height hasn't changed at all. I guess it's just another sign of how shoddy KW quality is for this application if there are issues between the kits...

[tboooe]

That's odd... I've been running my 30mm spacers for 6+ months and the ride height hasn't changed at all. I guess it's just another sign of how shoddy KW quality is for this application if there are issues between the kits...

My only answer is that this design does not work with cabriolets which are 400lbs heavier than the S4 and S5. Anyway, I hope this avant spring works otherwise I am going to return it and get some Bilsteins.

[Greg Nelson]

Hadn't visited here for awhile.
Concerned that Cabrolet with spring spacer did not work out and ride is still dropping, b/c of its additional rear weight
My ride has had lots of what I consider spring-bottom-out noise (in front, though could be in rear, either way not acceptible) since install w/18" rims, no degradation since 19" rim install, and no improvement.
I am seriously considering removing my V1s and spring spacers, spending money for S-Line/Sportline shocks and Eibach springs.
I may not have KW alleged adjustibility, however I will no longer need deal with KW crap customer service.
Yeah KW is a prized 'authorized advertiser' on Audizine, however when they REFUSE to address legitimate customer issues, they are of little use to us
Cheers

[UmIsThisThingOn]

... I am seriously considering removing my V1s and spring spacers, spending money for S-Line/Sportline shocks and Eibach springs.

Looking forward to hearing your progress on this. I've been back & forth between Bilsteins and just getting a set of OEM Euro Sline springs for another 10mm drop over what I have now.

I may not have KW alleged adjustibility, however I will no longer need deal with KW crap customer service. Yeah KW is a prized 'authorized advertiser' on Audizine, however when they REFUSE to address legitimate customer issues, they are of little use to us
Cheers

Agreed.

[tboooe]

Looking forward to hearing your progress on this. I've been back & forth between Bilsteins and just getting a set of OEM Euro Sline springs for another 10mm drop over what I have now.



Agreed.

Even if the Avant spring works I highly doubt I will ever buy another KW product again. I am going to wait a few years then move in to Bilsteins.

[Greg Nelson]

Looking forward to hearing your progress on this. I've been back & forth between Bilsteins and just getting a set of OEM Euro Sline springs for another 10mm drop over what I have now.
Agreed.

For what it's worth, I contacted Nick Zag re the Bilstein PSS20s - he was the first here to get his hands on them.
Recall he was less than enthusiastic about them. Suggest you PM him.
Cheers

[Blake P]

For what it's worth, I contacted Nick Zag re the Bilstein PSS20s - he was the first here to get his hands on them.
Recall he was less than enthusiastic about them. Suggest you PM him.
Cheers

FWIW, Nick had an install issue that was causing a clunking noise. Once he properly re-torqued the top nuts, all was well.

[tboooe]

Got my avant springs today from KW. I will be installing as soon as I can but I need to get a spring compressor first. Anyone local to Socal want to let me borrow one for a few hours???

[Snyper886]

Awesome, looking forward to seeing your results. Can you take a picture of the old and new spring, along with a measurement of uncompressed spring length? Also looking forward to seeing your BCs!

[tboooe]

Awesome, looking forward to seeing your results. Can you take a picture of the old and new spring, along with a measurement of uncompressed spring length? Also looking forward to seeing your BCs!

No problem. I can verify that the avant spring is 11" and part number 1034.

Also, anyone have any pointers on how to remove the spring? I think I can just remove the lower shock bolt then use a scissor jack between the control arm and frame? Do I need a spring compressor?

[tboooe]

Here is a comparison between the avant and springs that came from my V1. Contrary to what I was told by KW, there is more than a 10mm difference between the two, its more like 25mm! So the spring that came with my car is nowhere near the 270mm length. Its more like 255mm. So is it possible that everyone with sagging issues got the wrong spring from the factory?

Anyway, I removed the 30mm spacer and adjusted the perch to where I think I wanted (+1/4" from where it was). So far my car is sitting much higher than intended. I know I need to let it settle but it looks like I will need to lower the car a bit. Now I have a lot more range of adjustment up and down, the way it should be.

I will monitor and see what happens over the next few weeks.



The part number is 7003:

[Blake P]

Great information. Thanks for sharing!

[CreoSTi]

Contrary to what I was told by KW, there is more than a 10mm difference between the two, its more like 25mm!

That is quite a difference! Did you have to pay for the replacement springs? If so, what was the cost?

[tboooe]

BTW, here is my DIY on removing/installing the rear spring.

[tboooe]

...but they compress a fair amount more than stock springs.

This new avant spring seems to not have this issue. I havent driven with them yet so I cannot attest to how they ride. However, with my spring perch in the virtually the same position as the with the old spring, my car is about 3/4" higher. I am sure it will settle a bit more.

[Snyper886]

Awesome job and great pictures! Definitely more than 10mm difference between the springs. Is it me or does it also look like the 1034s a lower gauge? Looks promising so far, I think you've found the answer to our problems :)