[JJ0063]

Hi guys,

My coilovers are waiting to be fitted but I'm looking for some advice.

They are currently set up without the front helpers fitted, in order to get it that but lower.

I have an LCI E90 on standard 17" alloys, will the car be too low on standard wheels?

I can try and get the right socket & fit the helpers if need be, just don't want to fit them as they are & then the car ground out or something!

They are FK Street coilovers.

Help!

Thanks, Jordan

[M5rius]

Helpers only add 15-20mm, even without them you could make it look like 4x4.

[JJ0063]

Ok thanks.

So will I be ok running the standard 17" wheels with it that low?

[M5rius]

Just set hight you want and see how you get on, don't go very low as you will struggle with ground clearance on 17's.

[Maaarkk]

Hadn't been on much to reply man, you can have them real high without the helpers in so don't worry about it being too low! If you know you're gonna take them out eventually then there's no point in fitting them with them

[JJ0063]

Thanks guys

Obviously the easiest thing is to fit them as they are, but I imagine with how they are, I'll have no clearance on my standard 17" wheels.

I just don't want to fit them, and then the car be grounded as its on OEM 17s lol. Suppose I could raise it if need be.

Also, won't it fail it's MOT without helpers?

[Digitalize]

I'd keep the helpers in unless you need them out, they do a job of keeping the spring in place, and if you're going to be jacking your car up it helps with that, rather than the spring needing to be reseated each time.

[JJ0063]

Free'd the adjusters up and fitted the helpers tonight ready to fit at the weekend

[Icekube]

isnt there supposed to be a spigot between the helper and main spring?

like this:

[JJ0063]

Nope, FK's amongst others don't need or use them.

[JJ0063]

Fitted!

The fronts are knocking which is annoying, can only assume it's the drop links?

Hoping they settle more if not i think il remove the helpers & rear adjuster cups!

[JJ0063]

Also got my stainless steel catback fitted today

[jrp73]

Originally Posted by JJ0063

Also got my stainless steel catback fitted today

How's the sound?

[JJ0063]

Not a hell of a difference but certainly noticeable, meaty

[Icekube]

Originally Posted by JJ0063

Nope, FK's amongst others don't need or use them.

well if you look at any brand new set of FK's that use helper springs, they all have that platform in between to keep the helper and main springs aligned, they have probably been lost when a previous owner removed the helpers in order to get more lows.

as for the horrendous knocking. you've now fitted rock hard springs with 0 damping. all the slightly worn bushes and ball joints you had on the front end, that were being diluted by suspension that worked as intended are now transmitting their grumblings through the metal pipes you've replaced the suspension with :P

what mileage has your car done?

[M5rius]

Originally Posted by Icekube

well if you look at any brand new set of FK's that use helper springs, they all have that platform in between to keep the helper and main springs aligned, they have probably been lost when a previous owner removed the helpers in order to get more lows.

as for the horrendous knocking. you've now fitted rock hard springs with 0 damping. all the slightly worn bushes and ball joints you had on the front end, that were being diluted by suspension that worked as intended are now transmitting their grumblings through the metal pipes you've replaced the suspension with :P

what mileage has your car done?

Rock hard springs I guess you never had coilovers

[Icekube]

Originally Posted by M5rius

Rock hard springs I guess you never had coilovers

are you trying to say budget coilover's are not bone shatteringly terrible?

get a set of Bilstien PSS9 or Ohlins, and they will ride sweet as a nut. bolt on a set of ~300£ coilovers and they will be rock hard.

[borinous]

That was going to my question to the OP, whats the ride like? ....other than the knocking

[JJ0063]

Not bad to be honest, you either love or hate the ride of coilovers, I've always loved the "becauseracecar" feel.

Feels like a lowered car. Perfect on main roads, deepest darkest norfolk & the country lanes I live down its a little harsh but certainly not the worst ride I've had & perfectly liveable.

[borinous]

good to know cheers :-)

[Icekube]

Originally Posted by JJ0063

Not bad to be honest, you either love or hate the ride of cheap coilovers, I've always loved the "becauseracecar" feel.

Feels like a lowered car. Perfect on main roads, deepest darkest norfolk & the country lanes I live down its a little harsh but certainly not the worst ride I've had & perfectly liveable.

fixed that for you, decent coilovers, setup correctly and you would never know

i am 100% on it being worn bushes/ball joints, being aggrovated by the hard suspension, what mileage has your car done?

the main/helper springs not being joined together probably are not helping either.

[JJ0063]

Sorted it!

I thought I'd try some drop links as the FK ones were a year old & slightly worn, so I measured them & got some Ford Puma droplinks, went to take the old ones off & saw clean rub marks down the insides, then noticed the brake hose retaining bracket was bent! When on ground level it's obviously fouling on it.

So, removed the retaining bracket both sides, 2 new Puma droplinks & it's silent, no knocking atall.

Buzzing now & can't wait to get the rear lower! Had to pack up due to a thunder storm!