Why are Bilstein Sports so ROUGH!?

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

in for comparison^^

[jeffnhiscars]

I will def share my observations and try to limit them to the topic of this thread, namely the harshness factor. Just keep in mind the set I ordered are not spec for a Cabrio mainly because the Cabrio SA's are not top adjustable and who in their right mind is going to pull a strut, tweak the SOB then get an alignment every time they want to adjust rebound ?

Having said that, dampers are intended to work with specific spring rates (which are of course tied to vehicle weight) and since few of us have stock springs, I think the science of valving to a particular factory spec goes down the toilet and it becomes more seat of the pants....like most things we do with our cars.

[six2midnight]

I will def share my observations and try to limit them to the topic of this thread, namely the harshness factor. Just keep in mind the set I ordered are not spec for a Cabrio mainly because the Cabrio SA's are not top adjustable and who in their right mind is going to pull a strut, tweak the SOB then get an alignment every time they want to adjust rebound ?

Having said that, dampers are intended to work with specific spring rates (which are of course tied to vehicle weight) and since few of us have stock springs, I think the science of valving to a particular factory spec goes down the toilet and it becomes more seat of the pants....like most things we do with our cars.

Very well put. By changing the geometry of our suspension, we are making the ride pretty much worse, unless youre getting your shocks custom valved to your specific spring rate and weight of car corner balanced.

That being said, I think it will be very beneficial if we post our findings with how the Konis feel. I think the 4-5 of us that just bought the Konis are all running different springs. Should be an interesting experiment. Im going to start working on the car tonight.

[jeffnhiscars]

It's seat of the pants and each of our "seats" is different.

When posting results I'd suggest sharing what body style, springs and dampers you started with, driving style, which Konis you got and how it changed both comfort and handling.

Should be interesting.

....and do let us know if there are any installation tips. Seems to me I've read that there's a bushing that goes in the strut mounts. Not sure though

Ps...ups will be dropping mine Wednesday. Time to drag out the spring munchers

[jeffnhiscars]

These

[six2midnight]

YES! im super excited to see how the hydraulic shocks feel in the rear, instead of the gas shocks of the bils

[TrentW]

Ps...ups will be dropping mine Wednesday. Time to drag out the spring munchers

Hey, what spring compressor is that?

[jeffnhiscars]

Hey, what spring compressor is that?

SIR Tools. It's rated for impact wrenches and weighs about 30lbs. It's industrial grade and not much risk of it breaking

[jeffnhiscars]

[TrentW]

I likey, but as few times as I would use it I can't justify the cost.

[jeffnhiscars]

I likey, but as few times as I would use it I can't justify the cost.

I got this one off eBay from a pawn broker. It looked to be new (it still does) and should still be worth what I paid for it.

It's probably over kill and for sure hard to justify the price for non commercial use, but after using the HF tool by hand enough times I swore "never again"

[jeffnhiscars]

I got the rears in today in about an hour. No mystery whatsoever with the install but I did call Koni for clarification on adjusting them. There's a split nylon washer I R the upper housing that has to be removed before you can adjust them.

From there, despite what the pictograms and videos say, there isn't really a pronounced notch for the adjuster to lock into. It's more like a subtle detent so you have to screw around a bit to make sure your in it. Then you need to keep firm compression to insure it stays engaged. I was told you cannot turn it too far despite the adjusting range being 2-2.5 turns. This makes it a little tough to know when you are at full soft or full firm. Eventually you stop turning the. Back up to get it where you want it. I'm at 1/2 turn from full soft.

[nando]

I will def share my observations and try to limit them to the topic of this thread, namely the harshness factor. Just keep in mind the set I ordered are not spec for a Cabrio mainly because the Cabrio SA's are not top adjustable and who in their right mind is going to pull a strut, tweak the SOB then get an alignment every time they want to adjust rebound ?

Having said that, dampers are intended to work with specific spring rates (which are of course tied to vehicle weight) and since few of us have stock springs, I think the science of valving to a particular factory spec goes down the toilet and it becomes more seat of the pants....like most things we do with our cars.

My bilsteins were custom valved to match my spring rates. Still rides 1,000 times better with off the shelf konis.

[jeffnhiscars]

Custom valving changes the conversation but it does go to prove my point. both Bilstein and Koni spec their dampers to factory springs.

[nrubenstein]

My bilsteins were custom valved to match my spring rates. Still rides 1,000 times better with off the shelf konis.

Custom valved to "optimum" damping for that spring rate based on a calculation for track use.

Our iX with stock Bilsteins AND trimmed internal front bump stops has a ride best described as gooshy. (Before trimming the bump stops and swapping in properly matched springs, the ride was spine shattering.)