KW Variant 1 broken endlink tab

vindizzle9 · 01-29-2013, 08:44 PM

I just purchased a set a KW V1 coilovers for a great deal. The only catch was that the endlink tab on the front passenger strut snapped off and needed to be re-welded. I was fine with the idea of welding the tab, but the more i talk about it the more uncomfortable the idea sounds. Do you guys think a good shop can re-weld and brace the tab? The other alternative would be to send the strut back to KW for a $300 rebuild.

iDriveanXi · 01-29-2013, 09:14 PM

If done right a weld can be stronger than the surrounding metal so I don't see an issue. I would certainly take it to a reputable shop or if your lucky you know of a welder who will do it on the side. If there is a risk of KW not doing a rebuild after it's been rewelded maybe that's something to consider. I have no clue if they would take that avenue, just putting it out there.

BRGmatthew · 01-29-2013, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindizzle9

I just purchased a set a KW V1 coilovers for a great deal. The only catch was that the endlink tab on the front passenger strut snapped off and needed to be re-welded. I was fine with the idea of welding the tab, but the more i talk about it the more uncomfortable the idea sounds. Do you guys think a good shop can re-weld and brace the tab? The other alternative would be to send the strut back to KW for a $300 rebuild.

IF kw is willing to take it back before the weld and rebuild the whole thing and the rebuild will come with a new endlink tab, then I would send it in.

mike-y · 01-29-2013, 10:44 PM

rewelding is fine as long as it's done properly.

if you send the shock in to get revalved, send both fronts in, not just one. otherwise the damping may not match since the other shock will be worn and the rebuilt one is essentially new on the inside.

Hybrid For Life · 01-30-2013, 01:09 AM

Try getting it welded first. If that fails, which I don't see happening, then go for the rebuild. And yes like others have said, if you do get a rebuild done make sure both fronts get rebuilt.

Orb · 01-30-2013, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindizzle9

I just purchased a set a KW V1 coilovers for a great deal. The only catch was that the endlink tab on the front passenger strut snapped off and needed to be re-welded. I was fine with the idea of welding the tab, but the more i talk about it the more uncomfortable the idea sounds. Do you guys think a good shop can re-weld and brace the tab? The other alternative would be to send the strut back to KW for a $300 rebuild.

This is a know issue on older KW and if you are the original owner or have a receipt you will get both struts retrofitted with upgraded housings under warranty. If not, you will need to upgrade both housing as they will fail in time for sure. They usually bend first in a short amount of time. I would do a serach here to see at leat 10 others just like this.

vindizzle9 · 02-02-2013, 09:21 AM

Thanks for the great info. Much appreciated.

vindizzle9 · 02-02-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orb

This is a know issue on older KW and if you are the original owner or have a receipt you will get both struts retrofitted with upgraded housings under warranty. If not, you will need to upgrade both housing as they will fail in time for sure. They usually bend first in a short amount of time. I would do a serach here to see at leat 10 others just like this.

I found early threads with the same issue due to sway bars installed upside down and faulty early designs. Now all these issues have been resolved under warranty. However, i am not the original owner. So my question is, Were the early failures due to manufacturing or design flaws? I am waiting to hear back from KW with a built date on these coilovers.

Orb · 02-02-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindizzle9

I found early threads with the same issue due to sway bars installed upside down and faulty early designs. Now all these issues have been resolved under warranty. However, i am not the original owner. So my question is, Were the early failures due to manufacturing or design flaws? I am waiting to hear back from KW with a built date on these coilovers.

The problem was due to a design flaw. This is a very well known and documented issue at KW!! This issue was a very common occurrence 3-4 years ago to the point it should have been a recall. The new strut housing has a thicker cross section roll bar mount and you can see this is some pictures. I can see that you strut is the old style roll bar mount. I had my old KW warranted due to bending a few years back now. You will need to replace both housing or it will fail again. Hopefully they will work out a deal for you.

vindizzle9 · 02-03-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orb

The problem was due to a design flaw. This is a very well known and documented issue at KW!! This issue was a very common occurrence 3-4 years ago to the point it should have been a recall. The new strut housing has a thicker cross section roll bar mount and you can see this is some pictures. I can see that you strut is the old style roll bar mount. I had my old KW warranted due to bending a few years back now. You will need to replace both housing or it will fail again. Hopefully they will work out a deal for you.

Thanks Orb!

335iheLLraiseR · 02-04-2014, 05:39 PM

Did the OP get this resolved? I'm sending in my original set and am expecting some resistance from KW.

Orb,tried PM you, but no go on this. It won't let me for some reason.

Tiago@VRSF · 02-04-2014, 10:25 PM

Having a reputable shop repair this would cost less than $60-70.

vindizzle9 · 02-06-2014, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335iheLLraiseR

Did the OP get this resolved? I'm sending in my original set and am expecting some resistance from KW.

Orb,tried PM you, but no go on this. It won't let me for some reason.

I still haven't done anything with my coilovers. When i talked to them on the phone, they didn't seem to have any issues rebuilding the housings.

vindizzle9 · 02-06-2014, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

Having a reputable shop repair this would cost less than $60-70.

Hey Tiago,
Would you recommend any shops in the area? I'm local.

Thanks,

Tiago@VRSF · 02-06-2014, 05:33 PM

If you're willing to take the strut off the car any fabrication shop that can weld aluminum should be able to tackle this.

thestein1016 · 02-07-2014, 03:34 PM

I just rewelded mine a few months ago. I originally called kW and they wouldn't honor the warranty. Instead said they would sell me a new coilover for x amount and never mentioned a rebuild...
Just pull it out and have somebody tig it back.
Shouldn't cost more than 40 bucks.

01-29-2013, 08:44 PM	#1
vindizzle9 Private 13 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Boston MA iTrader: (2)	KW Variant 1 broken endlink tab I just purchased a set a KW V1 coilovers for a great deal. The only catch was that the endlink tab on the front passenger strut snapped off and needed to be re-welded. I was fine with the idea of welding the tab, but the more i talk about it the more uncomfortable the idea sounds. Do you guys think a good shop can re-weld and brace the tab? The other alternative would be to send the strut back to KW for a $300 rebuild. Attached Images
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01-29-2013, 09:14 PM	#2
iDriveanXi Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 231 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	If done right a weld can be stronger than the surrounding metal so I don't see an issue. I would certainly take it to a reputable shop or if your lucky you know of a welder who will do it on the side. If there is a risk of KW not doing a rebuild after it's been rewelded maybe that's something to consider. I have no clue if they would take that avenue, just putting it out there.
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01-29-2013, 10:44 PM	#4
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	rewelding is fine as long as it's done properly. if you send the shock in to get revalved, send both fronts in, not just one. otherwise the damping may not match since the other shock will be worn and the rebuilt one is essentially new on the inside.
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01-30-2013, 01:09 AM	#5
Hybrid For Life Banned 78 Rep 2,110 Posts Drives: Out of Spec Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (4)	Try getting it welded first. If that fails, which I don't see happening, then go for the rebuild. And yes like others have said, if you do get a rebuild done make sure both fronts get rebuilt.
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02-02-2013, 09:21 AM	#7
vindizzle9 Private 13 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Boston MA iTrader: (2)	Thanks for the great info. Much appreciated.
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02-04-2014, 10:25 PM	#12
Tiago@VRSF 2095 Rep 43,350 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Doral, FL iTrader: (99) Garage List 2014 F30 328xi [0.00] 2015 F82 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 Ducati 1199 Pa ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Having a reputable shop repair this would cost less than $60-70.
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02-06-2014, 05:33 PM	#15
Tiago@VRSF 2095 Rep 43,350 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Doral, FL iTrader: (99) Garage List 2014 F30 328xi [0.00] 2015 F82 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 Ducati 1199 Pa ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	If you're willing to take the strut off the car any fabrication shop that can weld aluminum should be able to tackle this.
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02-07-2014, 03:34 PM	#16
thestein1016 Private First Class 8 Rep 158 Posts Drives: BMW 335 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (3)	I just rewelded mine a few months ago. I originally called kW and they wouldn't honor the warranty. Instead said they would sell me a new coilover for x amount and never mentioned a rebuild... Just pull it out and have somebody tig it back. Shouldn't cost more than 40 bucks.
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