Other KW V1 owners. Quick question.

[Tusin]

I think I may be driving myself a little crazy. I have a set of KW V1's on my A4 2.0T Quattro, that I purchased used about 5-6 months ago.

Anyways while browsing the classifieds I noticed a set that looked absolutely nothing like mine.

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL846/759273/21822591/381244197.jpg

Mine do not have the "helper spring" (what I circled, very badly in red). I have scoured the internet to try to find other actual pictures with no much luck. So might as well just ask other owners.

Oh and if the original owner of the above pictures does not want me using it (I hosted it off my own picturetrail account) just let me know and I will take it down.

[vortexjunkie]

is it just the difference in felper spring?... most people take them out... it helps you go a little lower but it sacrifices ride quality

[Tusin]

I called KW and they said there should be a helper spring as well.

I understand that people would take them out to get lower. But what would happen, if someone installed a kit (not knowing about the helper spring), and set it to a "standard drop"? Which would be compressing the spring "out of spec".

I purchased these not to "slam" my car. Just wanted a good 1.5ish drop. I live in Alaska and drive my car year round. I had the non-sport suspension. I was going to purchase the FSD/Eibach combo. But when I saw these for sale, and who was selling them (not going to put a name out right now, but from everything I have seen he is pretty well regarded in the VW/Audi community). And after being told everything is complete in the kit etc.... I felt like I was making a good decision.

From the time I installed these, I always felt like there was something off. During the install, when set to KW's specs for a minimum drop they were a fair ammount lower then the spec was listed as. Also this being the first time I have actually used coilovers, I thought it was odd, but figured the spec sheet was off (as KW's instructions are very generic looking).

After the install (and I have numerous posts on here), I had an odd noise develop (not a clunk, but a very odd hollow ish noise, kind of like a wheel bearing but not). I had multiple shops take a look (most I had to pay), no one finding anything "wrong". I have a drivers upper front control arm needing to be replaced now (getting that done on Tuesday). Also it seems bouncier then I thought it should be.

Is it possible that some/all/none of these issues could be caused by running a coilover setup out of spec?

[rensho]

As long as the height adjustment works for the range that you want, the helper springs do nothing for you other than 'perhaps' avoid a clunk during situations that fully unload the suspension. Helper coils also help when jacking up the car in that some cases would cause the main spring to unseat due to lack of pressure on it. This really only happens when the car is really dropped(spring collar really low on the shock body).
When your car is sitting or driving, the helper springs are fully compressed(think block of steel).

[Tusin]

Ok so lets say I had to move the spring collar up 40mm (now due to the lack of a helper spring) to set the height that I wanted, it doesn't really matter if it is there or not? As long as I was able to move the collar to where I wanted?

I get what you are saying though, the spring helper looks like it would compress fully with just about any weight on it.

Still a little put off though. Any time I purchase something I always think about re-sale value (expect for when I bought the Audi, lol). Let's say I decide to sell these. I am sure I could sell them, but would have to do it as a incomplete kit, which is going to kill the value of them. It is not like I got a smoking deal on them used, it was pretty much the going rate.

[rensho]

Ok so lets say I had to move the spring collar up 40mm (now due to the lack of a helper spring) to set the height that I wanted, it doesn't really matter if it is there or not? As long as I was able to move the collar to where I wanted?
.
Yes, that's what i'm saying. They more you move the collar up, the more you're also loading the spring. At a certain point, it is always loaded and you won't ever have it loose in the perch.

Also, having the coils too low, the shock is sagged too much and could for sure lead to your 'bouncing'.

[Tusin]

Yeah I am not too low right now. Will need take a measurement. But I am not "slammed" by any means (which was the point). And when I get some free time I do need to raise it up a bit more. Which would compress the spring more, which would take care of the bouncing etc.....

And after speaking to the owner, it sounds like KW may have re-designed the spring at some point. For example, when comparing parts my spring collar now is what they used on the galvanized series and on their "inox-series" (which I think is stainless) it looks different, not much, but different none the less. BUT, mine are inox.

Regardless, as long as they are functioning as they should I am happy;)