06-27-2016, 05:09 PM | #1 |
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bouncy all of a sudden on KW
Hi guys, just looking for advice on what to check first. I have KW v3 and really haven't done any real adjustment on suspension yet (although I got lots of info from Kimo and other members some time ago) the only thing I did was changing length of rear links. I bought the car with this suspension and rears were always little too harsh but not that it bothered me too much. Since yesterday I can tell that fronts became very bouncy, car jumps on speed bumps, entering and exiting garage and over all bouncy when driving on highway. So obviously something happened, I also saw wet spot under right front side of the car last week, not sure if this is related or not.
Do you have any advice on what to look for or how to determine if shock went bad or else... Thanks a lot for advice... |
06-27-2016, 08:25 PM | #2 |
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so after creating this thread I went to my car jacked up the front passenger side (the side where I saw oil spots), took the wheel off and found that pretty much everything is covered in oil, pictures below, I cleaned everything and since I was there adjusted the spring (2 full turns to the right to bring it up to 30", which I wanted to do for a while) after that I went under the hood removed all the plastic pieces to get to the top of the shock and adjusted for 6 clicks. I understand there is another adjustment at the bottom of the shock? I didn't get to it yet. So back to the shock, obviously its leaking and probably it lost some of compression. Does this mean that this shock is gone, gone and I need to look for replacement or there something that can be done? I would hate to change KWs to H&R 2" but if I have to...
I took car for short drive after I made adjustments and bouncing is still there, so the adjustment I did, didn't really help, not to mention I'm not totally sure that I adjusted it correctly, I used the pointy key from KW tool set... sorry for the crappy iPhone pictures, also when I was removing the under hood trim the center plastic piece fell off behind the engine, I think it was broken to begin with and I couldn't get it back, I don't care for that piece I will order new plastic but just hope it want cause any issue being there as it didn't fell of to the ground. |
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06-27-2016, 09:17 PM | #3 |
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That strut is gone ... Any idea how many miles are on it?
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06-27-2016, 09:31 PM | #4 | |
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so what are my options right now, not really looking to spend 3.5k on new set? Is this fixable or can just 1 shock be bought? Also this is my daily driver, I will continue driving (as careful as I can) but what are the side effects? Obviously I will resolve this somehow but it might take little bit of time... TIA!
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06-28-2016, 09:11 AM | #5 |
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Best bet is to get in touch with KW.
You should be able to buy a replacement strut assembly but what this will cost ... who knows. They have a spare parts request form no mention of any prices thugh. http://www.kwsuspensions.net/spare_parts/ |
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06-28-2016, 09:41 AM | #6 | |
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Yes, I was researching for the options since last night and it looks like they (KW) do rebuild shocks for about $100 per shock (which is not bad). They have lifetime warranty but I don’t believe it’s transferable since I bought my car with KW and I don’t think it can be repaired under warranty. The issue I have that this is my daily driver and I don’t think I can have car sitting somewhere for who knows how long (I think KW repair shop in Germany). They also need to be removed and reinstalled in the shop. I called Turner Motorsport shop (closest to me) they actually inspected my coilovers back in January; I’m not saying they did a bad job at the time (the seal probably went bad recently). They will contact KW and see what my options are. One of the options is to buy 1 strut and get the other one rebuild under warranty, not sure how much this is going to cost me and how this is going to work yet. So I’m waiting to hear back from Turner, hopefully this will be resolved soon, I really hate bouncy ride… I found Warranty & Repair procedure on KW site, looks like the form needs to be filled out and send to them, then they will issue return number, after, the shocks needs to be removed, cleaned and sent to them for repair (not entirely sure where, Germany?) , based on some research this could take from 1 week to a month. And this is my issue. Since more likely I will be doing this thru Turner I’ll let them research my options… I will update this thread with my progress in case anybody else runs in to the same issue! |
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06-28-2016, 11:15 AM | #7 |
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I got in touch with KW in Cali, options are:
1. Send the shock for rebuild, price between $160 - $190 per shock 2. Buy new corner complete assembly $753.99 not in stock, needs to be ordered from Germany (about 2 weeks plus shipping to me) 3. Buy new Damper shock $493.99, available to ship right away. So the smarter way would be to send all 4 corners, 1 for rebuild and 3 for check but since I can’t really be without a car, I will probably go for new damper shock for that corner right now, get it installed once its arrives and go from there! Thank you! |
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06-28-2016, 01:21 PM | #8 |
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This is great future info for folks with KW's. Eventually all shocks will need a rebuild at one point. What is cool is that you will have a spare shock now for that corner if you get it rebuilt after the new one arrives. Can always sell the rebuilt one later on down the road when someone else runs into this.
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06-28-2016, 01:38 PM | #9 | |
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Here we go unexpected expenses again and this time not for cool new exhaust, downpipes or brakes... oh well gotta love buying used cars but hey in my case it was the only option to get in to this M! |
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06-28-2016, 04:15 PM | #10 |
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Just ordered new dumper shock from KW in CA, should be here in 3-4 business days, will schedule appointment to install as soon as I'll get trucking number.
The ride is bad and I think it's getting worse but it might be in my head. I will get another car to drive until I'll get new part and reinstall the shock Hopefully it will fix the issue!
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06-28-2016, 06:59 PM | #12 | |
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06-29-2016, 01:58 AM | #13 |
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I had a problem with one of my KW coilovers on my Chevy TBSS and it was repaired in 3 days. I live 5 miles from KW in the Fresno/Clovis area. On my X5 i have the V'3s set at 30.5 inches on 22 inch wheels from ground to bottom of fender. One of the KW reps said not to go any lower due to seals leaking or blowing out. Good luck.
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06-29-2016, 06:01 AM | #14 | |
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06-29-2016, 07:54 AM | #16 | |
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In a mean time I got a car from my step father to drive around as my ride became almost undriveble, it's not x5m but 2016 Mazda 6, not too bad for a loaner |
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07-06-2016, 06:54 PM | #17 |
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new dumper shock came in today, going for appointment tomorrow morning, planing to replace the leaking shock, do suspension adjustment and alignment!
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07-06-2016, 07:53 PM | #18 |
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Suspension... |
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07-07-2016, 05:02 AM | #20 | |
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07-07-2016, 09:55 AM | #21 |
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update:
unfortunately after lifting the car this morning we determined that other shock is leaking as well not only that but I also need to replace all bumper stops, dust shields and set screws! Off to ordering more parts $$$ hope they available in US. If not I will be missing Bimmerfest and I hate that, my gf already told me she's not coming with me so I would be double upset |
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07-07-2016, 03:06 PM | #22 | |
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