FK Hi-Tec Suspension Kit - knowledge required please! NEW PROBLEM!

[C11PRA DC]

Hi all,

I am hoping that someone here could please share their knowledge of the FK Hi-Tec Suspension kit for the Ibiza mk2 and help answer some questions I have regards correct assembly of the rear shock components.

FK part numbers:

Kit: FK 99 SE 003

Shock: FKZZVW39 46 - 05
Lower Spring Plate: 232968
Sring: FK45/FKS45 HA

With the rear shocks its possible to adjust the height position of the lower spring supporting plates by repositioning a spring clip within incremental grooves along the shock:

On top of this then rests a larger collar which then in turn supports the lower spring plate:

In the first of the 2 images above you can see that the collar has a recess on the inside edge of one face. This happens to be exactly the right size for either the spring clip on the shock OR the inner diameter of the spring plate to fit inside.

My question would be which one is it intended for???

Also in the second picture above I believe I have the spring plate upside down and it should actually support the spring as in the image below - Is this correct?

How do I determine how much the spring needs to be rotated on the plate to ensure its correctly seated?

Really appreciate some help on this to establish the absolute correct way of installing the as I don't want to do it twice or more!

Many thanks!

DC

 

[m0rk]

I fitted a set of these 8yrs ago or so... pretty sure you have yours up side down.

What's the other end of the spring like?

 

[C11PRA DC]

It has a larger diameter coil.

On the original assembly the spring has a larger diameter at the top spring seat and tapers to a smaller diameter on the lower spring seat. In the picture below I just figured the red FK spring just needs flipping to match - hence the last photo in my first post:

If you flip it to the way I've shown the tapered end does not correspond with the upper seat - or fit at all!

Confused by the FK writing though!

 

[suj]

That is weird, so you say with the smaller diameter at top, it will not seat in the spring top plate/rubber? if so then the smaller diameter needs to be at the bottom by the looks of it.

It is a bit odd though :S lol

 

[C11PRA DC]

I fitted a set of these 8yrs ago or so... pretty sure you have yours up side down.

In which image?

Thanks!

DC

 

[m0rk]

It looks like the writing needs to be upside down, and the spring platforms in the 3rd image are upside down I think?

 

[suj]

It looks like the writing needs to be upside down, and the spring platforms in the 3rd image are upside down I think?

yep what I thought, smaller diameter at bottom

 

[C11PRA DC]

I've spoken to Simon at Performance Driven who was very helpful and he also confirms that the tapered smaller diameter of the spring should be at the bottom - so I think we all agree this is correct. Also the recess in the collar is intended for the spring clip on the shock body. Apparently you have to ignore th FK stencilling on the spring as they has a tendency to apply them upside down.

With regards the lower spring plate I am not entirely convinced I have been supplied with the right ones for the kit!? The fit just seems awkward!

A google images search reveals a lower spring plate not that dissimilar to the original shown in the images above is commonly used.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/FK Hi-Tec shock spring plate images/myjettaislow/DSC03153.jpg

I rattled off an email to FK Germany a couple of days ago but no response yet.

DC

 

[C11PRA DC]

Ok an update!

As Syphon on here had this exact kit fitted to his mk2 he's kindly supplied me with images of the rear shock assembly. Looks like I have a different/wrong lower spring plate. Will need to get confirmation using the part numbers that the components of my kit are correct.

Heres the problem - Pic 1 below shows the supplied FK spring (FK45/FKS45 HA) on my original genuine shock/spring plate with the positioned exactly as the original old spring (larger diameter coil at top - smaller at bottom).

Pic 1.

I was expecting a spring plate similar to the original be supplied with the FK kit as is the case in per pic 2 below showing the same kit (FK 99 SE 003) fitted on Syphons mk2 Ibiza.

Pic 2.

And Other models Pic 3.

Pic 3.

Instead I have been supplied with a different spring plate with 2 ways this could possibly be installed with the spring correctly orientated- both of which look incorrect.

The first way in pic 4 below the sloped profile of the plate serves no purpose, the spring sits awkwardly inside rubbing on the wall of the plate and only the inner edge (1-2mm) of the collar is utalised for support.

Pic 4.

The second way in pic 5 below doesn't support the spring laterally and allows movement plus the profiling of the plate (indicated by finger) is redundant. This profiling seems more suitable to a spring mounted as in pic 6 but in this application this would mean the spring is incorrectly rotated 180 degrees.

Pic 5.

Pic 6.

Anyone know a successful way of contacting FK?

 

[CraigW]

Anyone know a successful way of contacting FK?

Go onto the FK website and email the UK seller/rep. Thats what I did when I got my buckets and was looking for information on the FK car specific frames.

 

[C11PRA DC]

I've emailed/contacted FK detailing the above and I am still awaiting a reply!


I really need help/confirmation with this!



DC

 

[C11PRA DC]

Bit of an update that brings one solution but creates another problem!

I've had a response from FK! They informed me I was missing two alloy spring locators which they posted to me - shown in the two pictures below sitting between the plate and the spring. These go a long way to eliminating any lateral movement of the spring.

Shown here in my now fully assembled rear shocks

Hopefully thats that problem solved!