True coilovers (rears)

Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:58 pm

Just swapped out H&R suspension kit for KW 3's and the rears are rubbing on the lowest part of the inside of the turret.

The springs are 2.5" and were they 2.25's they would probably clear without any issue.

I'm fitting a fuel cell, so I will lose the OE fuel filler neck, but what top mounts will afford the most adjustment?

Is anyone else running KW3's?

Sun Jul 05, 2015 8:38 pm

Is there not some wiggle in the rear topmounts to get the angle right?

The rear topmounts have no effect on the rear camber/toe so just adjust to the right position to clear the turret.

You are running something like the Z3 topmount reinforcement plates right?

Sun Jul 05, 2015 10:30 pm

Yes, have Z3 plates to improve structural rigidity of turret.

Have played around with the topmounts you can see in the pic, but spring still seems to foul. I was just hoping there might be more adjustment in the ones available from Gaz or BC?

Alternatively, is there any way I could run a shorter spring?

Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:34 pm

Not sure if this helps but i once had a pair of Gaz rear coilovers & the topmount were offset to aid rear clerance i believe, no issues in the turrets but were no good for me as the car was lowered the inside rear of the wheel clashed with the spring,( z3 m rear arms with et46 wheel was probably that issue).
I do know you can get custom rear coilovers with the spring inverted ( inside the wheel) to create clearance.

Mon Jul 06, 2015 7:26 am

Yes, it's a bit of a balancing act (getting coilover clearance) between turret clearance and rim/tyre. The top mounts I have allow some adjustment but it's not quite enough. I've got access to a bare shell today though, so am going to have a look and see just how much more adjustment is required. I'll post a few pictures for reference, just incase anyone else has a similar issue later on.

Mon Jul 06, 2015 1:13 pm

Are the topmounts handed? Could they be on the wrong sides?

Mon Jul 06, 2015 4:43 pm

Thought the same, tried and no difference. Just waiting on a call from KW's technical department.

I see that it's an issue that has been had on 1 series, so they offer a conical spring as a solution in that instance. Another option might be that I have a set of custom springs made, by someone like Faulkner, that will afford me the extra few mm's I need. I spoke to them earlier and am mailing dimensions, just incase KW can't help.