KTS coilover install... did I do something wrong?

[anyotherone]

Well, I didn't get the chance to call SPL up today and ask them, so I thought I might post here and see what kind of input I could get.

I installed my KTS coilovers and ran into a little bit of a problem. Well, we got all four corners installed and adjusted, but the the driver’s side rear shock "clunked" badly. So... we double checked it and even with the “top nut” fastened as far as the threads went on the shaft, there was still a little gap inbetween the nut and the black spacer looking thing beneath it.

Did I install something wrong? I double checked everything that we did during the install, but as far as I can see, everything was installed correctly.

I also cannot adjust the dampening on that shock. Could it be defective?

Any input is appreciated.

[chmercer]

it sounds like maybe you are missing the spacer that goes in between the upper mount and the shock piston. compare the left and right sides, look for a small ring in between the upper mount and the upper spring perch? just a guess

[Bronze MFP]

The clunking could be your subframe too. If you bushings are in bad shape the subframe could be making the noise. I know mine is, even with SPL subframe spacers. Just a thought.

Also, one of my front dampers was hard to adjust when I got my KTS coils. I just turned them slowly/forcefully until it got unstuck.

[anyotherone]

Could the nut at the top of the shock be tightened too much cause the selector to not be able to rotate? It looks to me like the same black spacer is on both sides.

I know the clunking sound is coming from this shock. I stacked some washers in the empty space and tightened the nut back down snug, but now I still can't adjust the dampening!

Any other input?

[Bronze MFP]

beats me boss. has SPL been back in touch with you yet? When I recieved my coils, I didn't mess with any of the nuts on top. I just set the ride height and preload and called it a day.

[anyotherone]

Well I emailed SPL and got some suggestions, so I pulled off the rear shock and checked everything out. There is indeed a black spacer above and below the pillowmount. There is about 1/8"-1/2" space between the top spacer and the end of the threads where the top nut resides. a couple of washers did the trick.

Oh, and after I pulled the topnut off and put it back on I could adjust the dampening with just a little bit of coaxing at first. Now it adjusts just as easy as the passenger side.

On another note... dang. These things are stiff. I've had coilovers with 400lb springrates on two other vehicles, but when I drive my 18mile round-trip to and from my girl's house on the highway doing 65mph, I get jounced around like I'm riding a rollercoaster or something. I played with the dampening a bunch, but I don't know... I must be getting old.

[Bronze MFP]

we both must be getting old, i was thinking of ordering some 5k and 4k springs

[chmercer]

lol. just put the dampening on full hard, drive around with it for a couple days, then put it down to like 3 clicks from soft. you will think it is a mercedes.

[BryanGrigsby]

I like the way my KTS feel. I was honestly relieved after install. Initial feel on the first drive was not as bad as I was expecting. Its been five days now and I have mine at eight clicks clockwise from full counter-clockwise.

You guys MUST be getting old.

[BryanGrigsby]

I actually goofed and preloaded the spring when I first installed them (not the correct way to do it ). It was about an inch of preload. That was hard as balls. I about broke my neck by bumbing my head on the ceiling.

[anyotherone]

lol. just put the dampening on full hard, drive around with it for a couple days, then put it down to like 3 clicks from soft. you will think it is a mercedes.

Actually... I goofed up and had the fronts at 2 clicks off of full hard instead of the other way around. I reversed it and now it feels perfect for daily driving. I knew something had to be wrong... I drove around in my dad's 911 Turbo and my car was 10 times as stiff. I used to drive the Porsche after getting out of my IS300 with coilovers (with similar springrates) and think about how I could never daily drive it.

I'm 100% satisfied with my KTS coilovers now... and very impressed with SPL's support and service.

[BryanGrigsby]

What year 240 did you install you coilovers on?

[anyotherone]

It's a '98 SE model.

[chmercer]

glad you got it sorted out. that seems strange that there was play in the spacer. maybe that one was machined outside of tolerance. i bet if you wanted kuah would send you another spacer.

also yeah if you preload the spring an inch it will be retarded stiff, like 3 wheeling skipping tires over bumps unsafe stiff lol. for daily driving just turn the dampening down to the lower end of the spectrum and its great. i am very pleased with the dampening range of the KTS units.

[BryanGrigsby]

It's a '98 SE model.

Sweet ***. Thats what I fukcing got. My kouki is getting aligned as we speak, but Ill post some pics tonight. I have pics before coilovers but there hideous.

[anyotherone]

Yeah, now that I have this sorted out I'm going to get what I need to have it all aligned to good specs. I've just eye-balled or everything for the time-being.