Suspension kits - what do people recommend - and NOT FK

[bigjode]

the kit "bigjode" (spelling) has looks and sounds the best at the moment. not coilover, but im starting to think thats a good thing

Me?

I'm flattered

But I don't have a kit - i've just got eibach springs - which i'm very happy with for comfort and handleing but i relly need shocks TBH. As soo as i can afford to i'll prolly get some Koni or Eibach dampers

 

[paul26982]

what are your springs like, is it worth just getting springs, is there a massive difference between just springs and no shockers thanx

 

[Copra]

i personally (though experiance) would never fit just springs again. that said, it was ok while it lasted, it just the shockers died within about 10k miles. (that was on a polo)

im hoping to get some eibach springs and the pro dampers or something. i might have to just get another set of FKs though, depends what the out come of my talk with rimstyle is tomo.

bigjodes car sits nicely, looks good but also quite stealthy

ps bigjode ive sprayed my dash parts now. looks ace,thanks for your help on that

 

[Pabs]

mark, let me know how you get on.

My passenger side front is definately worse than my drivers-side front too - hit a few rough area's on the lhs of the road and all i got was a loud THUMB rather than any form of damping.. felt like i had bolted suspension stiff......

I'm kinda panicking too - i do a LOT of miles in my car now, and i don't want my suspension to fall off.... going to have to look into a replacement kit, and try to muster up some dosh.

Let me know what you go for, or what you do.
cheers

 

[Copra]

Hi mate

dont worry, it sounds worse than it is. your only real worry now that its fooked is tyre wear.
the suspension isnt going to drop off, it just isnt "damping" its basically a loose rod inside a canister 3 times the size, get me?

its bloody annoying, and has put me right off another set of FKs.

we worked out, i had them fitted mid/end of may, and they were knocking within 2weeks. since then ive really tried not to use the car, but as like you, i have to do milage so ive had no choice. ive spent alot of money diagnosing what has turned out to be poor workman ship by FK, ive replaced top mounts, polly bushed the front, anti roll bar mounts. not to mention the labour (ok i get it mates rates, but £100 a time adds up) and the tracking at £40 a time.
ok, not money "wasted" as poly bushes and new top mounts are good anyway, but still.....very frustrating.

like i said above, i hope to get an eibach kit, seeem good. not bothered about "slammed effect" any more. infact this whole fiasco has made me think....did i need to lower it? would i have been happier with stock set up?!

eibach seem to be a good comprimise 1/2 way between (shocks and springs)

will keep you posted

Mark

 

[Pabs]

cheers mate. must admit the eibach kit does sound tempting. Just trying to justify spending MORE than i did originally, to get the same thing.. just hope there is a big improvement.

You've got the FK Konigsports as well - glad i didnt waste more money and get the better spec'd ones. Highsports were "bottom of the range" FK coilovers but expected them to last more than 6 months.

My kit was fitted feb 06. So i've got 5 months out of my kit.

I'm also wondering if this COULD be related to my pulling to the left. I know i had it before i changed suspension, but if my new suspension was knackered anyway then perhaps my car will drive straight when i swap??? I'd be over the moon (well, as much as i could be) if this was the case... stop me scratching my head over an issue i've had for ages.

 

[Sisson]

Very interested in the outcome you get Copra, Although my FK's are fine (i think) although i have a feeling that the car is getting a bit crashier at the front going over bumps, I know i have a worn wishbone bush so when i have new ones fitted by JBS, i will get them to check my suspension to see if it is ok,

If not im going back to standard suspension (maybe even standard wheels)????

Ah well.....

 

[Copra]

Paul, mine pulls to the left also........

 

[Pabs]

i'm sure my pulling to the left is getting worse too....

sodding hell. why o why did i try to be clever and save a bit of money. Mind you, u got urs from Rimstyle, and i would have done too....

I know its probably a 1 off (or whatever) but f00kin annoying.
55mile journey to work everyday isn't very enjoyable. Then the 200+ mile journey to donnington at the weekend, and then various shows over august/september.

No time to get it changed. So i'll just be in a strop when i drive

 

[Copra]

Crap aint it.

i dont think it is as isolated as a "1 off" or so....

when i spoke to toby he said, without propting, that a few have had issues lately. this makes me wonder if thats why they were so willing to help me.

still, knowing its happened to other people doesnt make it any easier.

i feel for you, your gonna have to do all the leg work yourself to get it sorted

 

[Pabs]

i keep telling myself that i deserve it, but i then don't believe thats true.

the 2nd and last time i try to be clever on saving dosh. 1st time boost gauge went well, suspension kit didnt boo hoo.

Just hoping i can sell the kit once its fully repaired! Otherwise i'm screwed.

 

[slick]

Pabs if your going to Donny South you can see the kit on mine there, and if get the chance take you for a spin in it, to show you that its got all the boxes ticked for ride and handling, so worth using that little bit more money!

 

[Pabs]

not at donnington south i'm afraid.

been recommended the eibach kit by yet more people though

 

[Pabs]

Right well, i'm sure it sounds like something at the front end is becoming loose now.... I'm getting a relatively faint, but still audible, knock when going over uneven roads, etc, more so when travelling slow than fast.

I'm also thinking this noise is coming from front NS too... Can't be ARB or anything, sounds like something is more loose than it has been... might have to see if i can get it checked.

UPDATE: After speaking to someone totally different at FK, I've had another different response - They can't help me at all. They told me to contact an FK dealer in the UK, but unsuprisingly none of them are willing to help as I didnt purchase from them initially. FK did say I can purchase parts for the coilovers though - so wondering if its worth getting them repaired and back on the car (cheaper) or taking it all off, fitting new (different) kit, and then repairing and selling my FK's on.

 

[m0rk]

I know I wouldn't want to drive something with loose dampers

I'd get the originals stuck on - cost would be secondary given that you need to drive the car.

 

[Icecavern]

Sounds like the car is dangerous to me, so I'd agree with m0rk.

 

[Pabs]

yeh, i know. I'm hoping to get it checked out this weekend briefly, make sure its all ok til a new kit arrives.

 

[Copra]

how about getting them repaired, refitting them. then if they go again, you will have some type of warrenty.
ive got a new pair of front units on order. delevery expected in around a week.

see what happens

 

[Pabs]

yeh, well i would - if i can find someone who can repair them while car is up on ramps.

But chances are they need to be sent away somewhere, and being without a car at the mo is a huge nono

 

[Copra]

almost certain they will need to be sent back to FK.

why not buy a set of 2nd hand std suspension?