ST coilovers installed

[banifesto]

Originally Posted by BRZPDX

I installed them as well, and have horrible clunking the front passenger side, and the ride is very "bouncy". I have a feeling the struts are blown, from the "bouncy" ride feels like I'm just on springs.

Hi,

Is your ride bouncing like this:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxITT7mrpQs"]2001 Audi s4 eibach coilover bounce - YouTube[/ame]

Or just low speed "bobbing" - like up and down oscillation, tiny but fast ?

My ST on a 08 civic has similar problem to yours. 1) bobbing at low/crawling speed 2) clunking front driver side strut

Coils have done approx. 4000miles but both issues have been since the coils are installed on the car. While the ride is great at high speed, the dampers seem to unable to control the spring at low speeds < 40mph and very noticeable at crawling speeds or coming to a stop. I can't tell if the bobbing bouncing on all struts, but I noticed mostly on the front.

As for the noise, it sounded exactly like this:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQuOyEAvx4"]Kw v1 noise (2) - YouTube[/ame]

Noise will go away after a few miles, and will come again after the car is at rest at least 30mins.

I thought my problem is an isolated case but after I googled it seems these two problems are the traits of ST, KW V1 & Eibach coils.

Dealing warranty with KW is a bit pain and lengthy process as we need to send back the struts, wait (probably weeks) for them to return the item. Since I drive my car daily, I talked to my dealer and they agreed to let me purchase the front right strut and return the knackered one once I got the new one installed, hopefully they'll refund my money.

Strangely, they didn't ask me to replace the strut insert but rather the whole strut. And the bad part is I have to pay the shipping at full cost as if I'm buying the whole set again, this is because KW is sending ONE strut in the big box!

Not to say ST are bad coils, because plenty of owners are happy with them.. general consensus is that they are good coils but there are people commented the coils do bobbing once in a while. But good coils should ride great straight out of the box, no? I've ridden a car fitted with H&R monotubes and while it is firmer, it rides a lot smoother.

I'm not sure if the knocking is associated with the bouncing bobbing, as I can only know when the new strut has been installed.

[BRZPDX]

Originally Posted by banifesto

Hi,

Is your ride bouncing like this:

Or just low speed "bobbing" - like up and down oscillation, tiny but fast ?

My ST on a 08 civic has similar problem to yours. 1) bobbing at low/crawling speed 2) clunking front driver side strut

Coils have done approx. 4000miles but both issues have been since the coils are installed on the car. While the ride is great at high speed, the dampers seem to unable to control the spring at low speeds < 40mph and very noticeable at crawling speeds or coming to a stop. I can't tell if the bobbing bouncing on all struts, but I noticed mostly on the front.

As for the noise, it sounded exactly like this:

Noise will go away after a few miles, and will come again after the car is at rest at least 30mins.

I thought my problem is an isolated case but after I googled it seems these two problems are the traits of ST, KW V1 & Eibach coils.

Dealing warranty with KW is a bit pain and lengthy process as we need to send back the struts, wait (probably weeks) for them to return the item. Since I drive my car daily, I talked to my dealer and they agreed to let me purchase the front right strut and return the knackered one once I got the new one installed, hopefully they'll refund my money.

Strangely, they didn't ask me to replace the strut insert but rather the whole strut. And the bad part is I have to pay the shipping at full cost as if I'm buying the whole set again, this is because KW is sending ONE strut in the big box!

Not to say ST are bad coils, because plenty of owners are happy with them.. general consensus is that they are good coils but there are people commented the coils do bobbing once in a while. But good coils should ride great straight out of the box, no? I've ridden a car fitted with H&R monotubes and while it is firmer, it rides a lot smoother.

I'm not sure if the knocking is associated with the bouncing bobbing, as I can only know when the new strut has been installed.

That is way more bouncier than my ST's. I agree that it is better in high speeds, but low speed bumpiness feels bouncy. After all, they are $800 new.

As for the noise, when I got the hotchkis camber plates, it tightened everything down more, and the "banging" noise is gone. The issue was that the previous owner (bought it used) forgot to put the rubber cone thing that replaces the OEM cone washer on the top, so I had to re-use the OEM ones. When I switched to the Hotchikis CP's, they fit snug and stopped making noise.

What are the spring rates for the ST's lol? Maybe that is why it is a bit "bouncy" and that these are street coils. I am taking it to the track on Sunday so I will update on how they hold up with 255/35 RE11's.

[banifesto]

Originally Posted by BRZPDX

That is way more bouncier than my ST's. I agree that it is better in high speeds, but low speed bumpiness feels bouncy. After all, they are $800 new.

As for the noise, when I got the hotchkis camber plates, it tightened everything down more, and the "banging" noise is gone. The issue was that the previous owner (bought it used) forgot to put the rubber cone thing that replaces the OEM cone washer on the top, so I had to re-use the OEM ones. When I switched to the Hotchikis CP's, they fit snug and stopped making noise.

What are the spring rates for the ST's lol? Maybe that is why it is a bit "bouncy" and that these are street coils. I am taking it to the track on Sunday so I will update on how they hold up with 255/35 RE11's.

Seems like your banging noise is different than mine. Good that you managed to sort it out.

Yeah, probably I put too much expectation on a budget coils
Not sure if the struts are made by Alko still..

[thatWESguy]

has anyone experienced any creaking noises when at low speeds and full lock? I've had my ST's installed for about 3k miles now, and my front suspension started making some funny noises as of Monday. I'm thinking it might be the end links, but I'm not sure; going to take a look tomorrow morning

[Wes]

Originally Posted by thatWESguy

has anyone experienced any creaking noises when at low speeds and full lock? I've had my ST's installed for about 3k miles now, and my front suspension started making some funny noises as of Monday. I'm thinking it might be the end links, but I'm not sure; going to take a look tomorrow morning

are the top nuts tightened?

[thatWESguy]

Originally Posted by Wes

are the top nuts tightened?

yep. Actually took the front wheels off and tightened everything up today, going to drive around later today and see if it fixed the issue.