Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

kW v3 coilovers

"M" Specific discussion
User avatar
MrPT
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4745
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
Location: Bucks/Oxon

kW v3 coilovers

Post by MrPT » Sat Nov 11, 2017 2:28 pm

Anybody’s KWs getting a little clunky? Might just be me getting old and irritable, but I swear that the rears have started making a metallic clunking sound over bumps that they either didn’t before, or did but a lot less audibly. It’s louder on the rear right and I’ve pretty much checked everything around the strut, with the exception of removing the coupe’s roller cover completely.

Top mount nuts are torqued and I’ve given the two nuts that hold the top of the shock to the top mount a decent spannering. A quick search reveals that a bit of clunkiness is common when fitting aftermarket shocks, but I think I’ve already covered the usual causes. Could the noise be coming from the damper assembly itself? I switched to very soft settings about a year ago, and that might have been when I noticed the noise more, now I think about it.

Still really happy with the suspension - particularly on /40 and /35 profile tyres - so this is just a niggle!
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

User avatar
Beedub
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 10973
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:25 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield

kW v3 coilovers

Post by Beedub » Sat Nov 11, 2017 3:56 pm

mine has zero noise from the rear shocks but i can hear the front solid mounts doing their thing, nothing a new gt4 didn't do on my last drive, if you getting clunks in the rear id be looking at worn bushings, RTAB maybe? top mounts deformed slightly allowing play??

but i cant see any reason why the rear damper would clunk. Investigate.
www.topwrapz.com - Multi Award Winning - Detailing | Vinyl Wrap | Paint Protection Film Specialists |

User avatar
MrPT
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4745
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
Location: Bucks/Oxon

kW v3 coilovers

Post by MrPT » Sat Nov 11, 2017 4:41 pm

Beedub wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2017 3:56 pm mine has zero noise from the rear shocks but i can hear the front solid mounts doing their thing, nothing a new gt4 didn't do on my last drive, if you getting clunks in the rear id be looking at worn bushings, RTAB maybe? top mounts deformed slightly allowing play??

but i cant see any reason why the rear damper would clunk. Investigate.
Thanks Beedub. RTAB ok, rear ARBs ok, rear diagonal braces torqued.

Think I might need to take the shocks out to see what’s going on properly.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

User avatar
bradz
Member
Member
Posts: 455
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2013 6:26 pm
Location: Bedford

kW v3 coilovers

Post by bradz » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:07 pm

I have some OE shocks you can borrow to try if you need.
Z4M Coupe, E92 M3, E46 M3 Track car :driving:

User avatar
MrPT
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4745
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
Location: Bucks/Oxon

kW v3 coilovers

Post by MrPT » Sat Nov 11, 2017 8:15 pm

bradz wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:07 pm I have some OE shocks you can borrow to try if you need.
Thanks man, but I have some too. Had the same thought but hope it doesn't come to that.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

User avatar
Argenta
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1051
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:49 pm

kW v3 coilovers

Post by Argenta » Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:15 am

No answers to the clunkiness I’m afraid.

There seem to be a ”Nurburgring setting” by KW.
What’s that then?

User avatar
Yeddheng
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 48
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:47 pm
Location: in the clouds

kW v3 coilovers

Post by Yeddheng » Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:25 pm

Hello, I have a "pre-clunk" question.
I've just recieved my new KW V3:s via a delivery company and the package was rather messed up.
I've checked the parts for damage and I'm a little worried about the front top mounts.
There's a slight play in the horizontal plane, I can wiggle them about 5 mm on one and 10 mm on the other.
Is this normal or is something broken?
Z4 MC 07 / A08 Silver grey / Black interior w Carbon leather / VT+RE mounts / 10.9 / cdv- / RPi / Cup2 / Arc-8 / Lugs / KW V3 / GC camber plates / Vorshlag RTAB limiters / Custom alignment / Aux / Stubby / Mud flaps /

My Z4MC

insider
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2022 9:49 pm

kW v3 coilovers

Post by insider » Sun Jun 04, 2023 7:46 pm

MrPT wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2017 2:28 pm Anybody’s KWs getting a little clunky? Might just be me getting old and irritable, but I swear that the rears have started making a metallic clunking sound over bumps that they either didn’t before, or did but a lot less audibly. It’s louder on the rear right and I’ve pretty much checked everything around the strut, with the exception of removing the coupe’s roller cover completely.

Top mount nuts are torqued and I’ve given the two nuts that hold the top of the shock to the top mount a decent spannering. A quick search reveals that a bit of clunkiness is common when fitting aftermarket shocks, but I think I’ve already covered the usual causes. Could the noise be coming from the damper assembly itself? I switched to very soft settings about a year ago, and that might have been when I noticed the noise more, now I think about it.

Still really happy with the suspension - particularly on /40 and /35 profile tyres - so this is just a niggle!
Hi folks, apologize for resurrecting so old thread - actually don't know how old because I don't see the dates :)

But I'm experiencing similar issues that @pHilli0 and @MrPT experienced with KW V3s - rear thumb (usually from right rear), sounding like the suspension bottoms out.

KWs have about 5kkms, so practically new and have done this since I bought the car. I have the car on absolute max height, which is still lower than stock. I've been playing a bit with adjustments, but not much changes in regards to this thumping, which is usually noticed when driving through small and sharp distortions in the road. This happens when driving not very fast, probably because when on spirited drive, I choose smoother roads. Suspension works nicely otherwise, can't fault it at all. It just this thumping or bottoming out that's driving me crazy. I wonder if anyone came across a solution?

I've now located a piece of road where I can relatively easily reproduce it. I'm thinking of mounting a small camera on the rear arm, and film what happens when driving over that bump. Also will write to KW, if they have any experience with this issue.

User avatar
Argenta
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1051
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:49 pm

kW v3 coilovers

Post by Argenta » Wed Jun 07, 2023 9:06 am

The only noise I've had is from gravel/sand getting in under the spring seat. Can REALLY make noises...

User avatar
MrPT
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4745
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
Location: Bucks/Oxon

kW v3 coilovers

Post by MrPT » Thu Jul 20, 2023 9:09 am

I sorted my issue (rear springs binding then unbinding with an almighty bang) with some cheap spiral wrap. See here.

I was trying to pin down someone from KW about this at FoS last week but couldn't find their stall - they are usually really helpful so it's worth giving them a shout. What I was going to ask was what kind of finish goes on the springs from the factory - it is some kind of heavily plasticised coating. I suspect you need to use this stuff instead of a basic powdercoat to restore them to the point at which they won't start binding again almost immediately.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

Post Reply