KW V1 instructions

[fourtailpipes]

i'm installing my V1s tomorrow and was flipping through the manual. i have a couple questions hopefully those who've already installed V1s can answer:

1. the instructions say that at the minimum rear height (12mm total adjuster stack height), the rear ride height will be 12.8 inches from the axle to the fender. is this consistent with what you guys have seen? that doesn't seem particularly low. (looking for V1 responses only on this one...)

2. they also say that "you have to remove the rear axle adjustment to correct (screw up the threaded ring) the car height." this can't be true... is this because the top piece of the adjuster will turn with the lower piece if you turn it under any spring tension? that's never been a problem with other coilovers i've used in similar applications, and would make corner-balancing a nightmare!

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by fourtailpipes

2. they also say that "you have to remove the rear axle adjustment to correct (screw up the threaded ring) the car height." this can't be true... is this because the top piece of the adjuster will turn with the lower piece if you turn it under any spring tension? that's never been a problem with other coilovers i've used in similar applications, and would make corner-balancing a nightmare!

Check this thread:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529472

look at post #3.

[fourtailpipes]

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

Check this thread:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529472

look at post #3.

i've been following that thread... the pictures are originally from this post in another thread... both relating to improper installation of the rear adjuster. i won't make that mistake, but that doesn't really help me with height, as the setup pictured is the V2, which uses a different spring (i think). it appears like they'll go super low, though, which (if the height adjustment range is similar between the v1 AND v2) would lead me to believe that the rear height should go far lower than the 12.8" stated in the manual.

super weak work done by these shops installing them incorrectly though... the manual lays out very clearly how to arrange the spring and adjuster in the rear, and exactly which pieces need to come out. i find it hard to believe the tech even opened the book.

[fourtailpipes]

...also can anyone confirm that the rear height adjusters on V1, V2 or V3 function properly while installed? i find it really hard to believe that you have to take it all apart to adjust the rear height (see my second question in OP)

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by fourtailpipes

i've been following that thread... the pictures are originally from this post in another thread... both relating to improper installation of the rear adjuster. i won't make that mistake, but that doesn't really help me with height, as the setup pictured is the V2, which uses a different spring (i think). it appears like they'll go super low, though, which (if the height adjustment range is similar between the v1 AND v2) would lead me to believe that the rear height should go far lower than the 12.8" stated in the manual.

Well I am not to sure about the different spring but I got the V3's and that is exactly how I installed it in the back and everything is ok.

Originally Posted by fourtailpipes

...also can anyone confirm that the rear height adjusters on V1, V2 or V3 function properly while installed? i find it really hard to believe that you have to take it all apart to adjust the rear height (see my second question in OP)

I adjusted the height of the back while it is was installed. I made sure to make marks on everything for the adjustment so this way I know when I have done a full turn or not.

[fourtailpipes]

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

Well I am not to sure about the different spring but I got the V3's and that is exactly how I installed it in the back and everything is ok.

do you know how many threads were exposed (or your "A measurement") in the rear and what your rear height is? i may just have to use the v2/v3 information from these boards as a starting point, as i can't find anything specific to the V1. before opening the manual i decided i wanted my rear height at 12.75"... according to the manual that's lower than the lowest setting (which i'm certain is a typo, as thats a pretty conservative drop)

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

I adjusted the height of the back while it is was installed. I made sure to make marks on everything for the adjustment so this way I know when I have done a full turn or not.

thanks! did you experience an unusual amount of spinning in the top piece against the chassis when you were adjusting? i wonder why they say that...

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by fourtailpipes

do you know how many threads were exposed (or your "A measurement") in the rear and what your rear height is? i may just have to use the v2/v3 information from these boards as a starting point, as i can't find anything specific to the V1. before opening the manual i decided i wanted my rear height at 12.75"... according to the manual that's lower than the lowest setting (which i'm certain is a typo, as thats a pretty conservative drop)

I have it about half way on my car on both sides. That took me about 5 turns total.

I will try to measure the rear height as soon as I can. But I can tell you that before the drop I was about to stick two fingers (vertically positioned) straight between the tire and the wheel well. Now I can not even stick a finger in between the tire and the wheel well (both vertically or horizontally)

Originally Posted by fourtailpipes

thanks! did you experience an unusual amount of spinning in the top piece against the chassis when you were adjusting? i wonder why they say that...

I did but only on the driver side. That is why I put a mark on the chassis of the car, a mark on the black top piece against the chassis, and a mark on the purple piece. This way I can clearly see what is spinning and where everything is aligned.

[fourtailpipes]

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

I have it about half way on my car on both sides. That took me about 5 turns total.

I will try to measure the rear height as soon as I can. But I can tell you that before the drop I was about to stick two fingers (vertically positioned) straight between the tire and the wheel well. Now I can not even stick a finger in between the tire and the wheel well (both vertically or horizontally)



I did but only on the driver side. That is why I put a mark on the chassis of the car, a mark on the black top piece against the chassis, and a mark on the purple piece. This way I can clearly see what is spinning and where everything is aligned.

big help. thanks! i'll use 5 threads as a starting point. i had a feeling starting with the minimum setting was absurd!

[Zeros and ones]

hows everything working out? Did you get the drop you want?

[fourtailpipes]

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

hows everything working out? Did you get the drop you want?

i'll post final measurements and calculations when the car is finished settling (maybe this weekend... i've been measuring daily, and it's still settling). the height specs in the manual are definitely off. the specs are close in the front... maybe off by like 1/4". in the back they're not even in the ballpark. probably off by almost an inch. thanks for the tip on rear height.

[fourtailpipes]

the car's finished settling, so i posted a write-up in the DIY forum, including an excel sheet with a ride height calculator.

in the end, the manual's suggestions for height turned out to be off slightly in the front, and dramatically in the rear. hope my DIY helps.