Allroad Solowerks experiment over - now what?

[pwdrskr]

I've reached the end of my experiment with the Solowerks coil overs today after spending several hours attempting to level the car. No matter how much I adjust them the car just won't sit level.

Of particular annoyance is the right rear sits 1-1 1/2 cm lower than the left rear. Easy fix right? Wrong! There isn't enough thread left to raise the right rear! Raising any more would cause the rings to come right off the bottom. As it stands now they are half off already!

What doesn't make sense is that the left rear has plenty of thread left! Shouldn't both sides be more of less the same?

Anyway, now I need to figure out what to do next... Air isn't really an option for a variety of reasons. So coil overs it will be. I've had KW V3s on a BMW 335 once upon a time and they were great but are overkill for what I need. Thoughts from the collective?

[earhythmic]

The consensus is there's a bit of voodoo involved with adjusting coils. Adjusting one corner will affect the opposite diagonal corner, for example: lowering front passenger will raise driver rear. Maybe try again with that theory in mind and you may make more progress. It'll still feel like you're chasing your tail though.

[oshwi]

did you do the install yourself? not really doubting you, but i guess just double check everything? I know i dont have an allroad, but mine sits perfectly leveled on my sedan.

[Slimwonder]

I've installed rather a lot of coilovers over the years. Never had a problem getting the car to sit right and or level. Usually get someone to sit in drivers seat. Small tweet driver side if needed, full tank of gas if you really want to get picky... Are you blaming the solowerks coils for not being able to get the car sitting right?

[pwdrskr]

Thanks for the reply. I know all about the connectedness of each corner and that nothing is independent. I've fiddled and adjusted with that I'm mind. The primary tell for me is the varying amount of adjustment range between the two rear coils. The right side has zero adjustment range left and it is the lowest of the four. While the left has are least an inch or more left to raise.

They were professionally installed.

[Slimwonder]

Interesting. I think the only way of getting to the bottom of you dilemma is to take out the rear coils and adjusters and look at them side by side.

Broken spring?

I very much doubt the rear control arm is Bent or defective.

Professionaly installed doesn't mean correctly installed. I've see some horrors over the years inc mismatched springs

[pwdrskr]

I've installed rather a lot of coilovers over the years. Never had a problem getting the car to sit right and or level. Usually get someone to sit in drivers seat. Small tweet driver side if needed, full tank of gas if you really want to get picky... Are you blaming the solowerks coils for not being able to get the car sitting right?

I've made significant adjustments in the attempt to level the car. No small adjustments. The different heights are up to 1 1/2 cm. As I said above the brightest tell is the lack of remaining upward adjustment available on the right rear while the left has 2+ cm available to spare

[Slimwonder]

There could be something under the rear adjuster Perch? A rubber locator block from the OEM springs? Could have been left out one side

Have you compared both sides. Not trying to be patronizing but sometimes we all miss something and as a fellow AR owner we need them sitting right
http://gallery.quattroworld.com/d/43...+Kit+23+QW.jpg

[zcspec]

May be a silly question, but did you get the right rear springs for the AR? Feel free to bring it over to my place and we'll recheck everything.

[Slimwonder]

Kit was the MPN:S1AU006 right. For the Quattro

[WAF]

pwdrskr is this new install or have they been on a lil while? My pss10's have settled at different amounts over time but have been adjusted.

Vogtlands might be a viable option for somewhat budget coils i've not heard anything wrong with them and will be comparable ride quality.
Also the higher end H&R i believe theyre the street edition I could be wrong on the name but they might be another option to look at.

[Slimwonder]

Any news?

[pwdrskr]

There could be something under the rear adjuster Perch? A rubber locator block from the OEM springs? Could have been left out one side

Have you compared both sides. Not trying to be patronizing but sometimes we all miss something and as a fellow AR owner we need them sitting right

True, things get missed sometimes. I didn't do the install myself and never really looked at everything up close. I'll have to take a look on the weekend since seeing and adjusting the rears requires removal of the wheel. Fortunately the fronts can be adjusted with the wheel on. No time during the week...

May be a silly question, but did you get the right rear springs for the AR? Feel free to bring it over to my place and we'll recheck everything.

As far as I know, yes.

Kit was the MPN:S1AU006 right. For the Quattro

Thanks!

pwdrskr is this new install or have they been on a lil while? My pss10's have settled at different amounts over time but have been adjusted.

Vogtlands might be a viable option for somewhat budget coils i've not heard anything wrong with them and will be comparable ride quality.
Also the higher end H&R i believe theyre the street edition I could be wrong on the name but they might be another option to look at.

I've had the Solowerks on for a while. What clued me in to something going on was I started to have rubbing on the front left when I swapped out my winter wheels for the summers. The summer set have an offset that rubs when the ride height is too low. Last summer I had everything dialed in so that there would be no rubbing. Something changed over the winter.

Any news?

I'll need to take a closer look on the weekend. I'm likely going to go with a set of Vogtlands regardless. Debating it right now...

[SleeperCar]

this is definitely strange...i have solowerks as well and havent had any problems, but then again, I have a sedan. Have you tried calling Solowerks? or even calling eurocollective (probably where you got them, as i did too).

[pwdrskr]

I've decided to pull the trigger and move to a Vogtland set up. Install next Thursday.

Anyone interested in a used Solowerks setup?

Appreciate all the input from forum members!

[zcspec]

I've decided to pull the trigger and move to a Vogtland set up. Install next Thursday.

Anyone interested in a used Solowerks setup?

Appreciate all the input from forum members!

Can you wait a couple of weeks for the install? My lift is on it's way so we can save you some money.

[pwdrskr]

Can you wait a couple of weeks for the install? My lift is on it's way so we can save you some money.

Thanks for the offer! I could wait I suppose although I'm not so concerned with the cost of the install. I'm also traveling for work a lot in the next few months (China in a week is the next trip) so free time is at a premium...

[zcspec]

Thanks for the offer! I could wait I suppose although I'm not so concerned with the cost of the install. I'm also traveling for work a lot in the next few months (China in a week is the next trip) so free time is at a premium...

If cost isn't a factor, get it installed and if you're not happy with the ride height, we can adjust it.

[pwdrskr]

If cost isn't a factor, get it installed and if you're not happy with the ride height, we can adjust it.

Sounds good, thanks!

[integroid]

Can you please post your review and thoughts of the vogtlands after you get them setup? I am on the fence with those as well for my Allroad. Did you order the KW rear spacer to give you more height adjustments for the rear?

[pwdrskr]

Can you please post your review and thoughts of the vogtlands after you get them setup? I am on the fence with those as well for my Allroad. Did you order the KW rear spacer to give you more height adjustments for the rear?

Will do

[pwdrskr]

Vogtlands were installed yesterday and initial impressions are positive. Had the right height set at 69" front, 70" rear as a start (measured from wheel arches). A little higher than I think I ultimately want but wanted to account for any settling. I also had them replace the bushings. Install also included a 1" spacer to ensure there is enough range in rear adjustability.

My first impressions are good (drive home last night and to work this morning). Nice blend of stiffness and drivability. I do notice that the car seems to track better on roads with deeper ruts (due to bushings?). I had noticed that the car was very susceptible to being deflected by road ruts. Seems to track much better now...

Install also included a 1" spacer to ensure enough range in adjustability.

Also, no obvious observable issues with the Solowerks that would explain the difference in the rear range of adjustability.

[zcspec]

Had the right height set at 69" front, 70" rear as a start (measured from wheel arches).

You mean centimeters.

[pwdrskr]

You mean centimeters.

Ha! You're right. I usually don't make that error. Inches would mean that Monster Truck look...

[dawus05]

Vogtlands were installed yesterday and initial impressions are positive. Had the right height set at 69" front, 70" rear as a start (measured from wheel arches). A little higher than I think I ultimately want but wanted to account for any settling. I also had them replace the bushings. Install also included a 1" spacer to ensure there is enough range in rear adjustability.

My first impressions are good (drive home last night and to work this morning). Nice blend of stiffness and drivability. I do notice that the car seems to track better on roads with deeper ruts (due to bushings?). I had noticed that the car was very susceptible to being deflected by road ruts. Seems to track much better now...

Install also included a 1" spacer to ensure enough range in adjustability.

Also, no obvious observable issues with the Solowerks that would explain the difference in the rear range of adjustability.

Debating the Vogtlands and it appears that you're happy with them so far. Would you mind posting a picture of your current setup? Was the PN 968116? Also mind me asking how much the install was? I've been quoted anywhere from $400 to $800 from local shops here in the bay area. Thanks!

[zcspec]

I've been quoted anywhere from $400 to $800 from local shops here in the bay area.

I see $400 has the high end. Anything above that is just ludicrous.

[Poodini]

I see $400 has the high end. Anything above that is just ludicrous.

Clearly you don't live here in The Bay! I recently went down my list of shops I've either had prior experience with or who scored highly on Yelp! Between 6 shops, the highest quote was $760 and the lowest was $400 through my 'round the way neighborhood shop. That included the install, alignment, and even swapping out my OE front sway w 30mm H&R bar.

Prices here are just retarded but that's the reality given the high cost of living.

[pwdrskr]

Debating the Vogtlands and it appears that you're happy with them so far. Would you mind posting a picture of your current setup? Was the PN 968116? Also mind me asking how much the install was? I've been quoted anywhere from $400 to $800 from local shops here in the bay area. Thanks!

Suspension install was $380, bushings were $236 (bushings were optional)

[redeye_jedi]

I put 16,000mi on my solo werks that were on my VW R32 and had no problems. I've been running STx's on my Quattro b8 and really like them.

[skis4hire]

At 69/70 cm Fender to ground, and with the 1" spacer on the back, where are you in the adjustability range? How much higher could you go? (and lower?)

[pwdrskr]

I haven't actually looked at it since getting installed. Probably will this weekend at some point. Saturday maybe. I figure I'm right in the middle of the range though.

I'll take some pics as well

[skis4hire]

I haven't actually looked at it since getting installed. Probably will this weekend at some point. Saturday maybe. I figure I'm right in the middle of the range though.

I'll take some pics as well

bump

[pwdrskr]

Couple photos taken today while getting rims swapped out

[skis4hire]

Thanks! Looks like you're nearly all the way up in the front and rear, with 1" spacer in the rear.

For searchers here are some side view shots
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...3191-New-shoes

[integroid]

Which 1" spacer did you use in the rears? Were they the KW spacers?

[pwdrskr]

Which 1" spacer did you use in the rears? Were they the KW spacers?

They are these: KW 15mm rear spring spacer (65030045) per the invoice