Just finished binning the DRC and putting the PSS9's on. The ride is much better, no question about it. However, the car is much too low for my liking. Need to raise the lot by a good inch - there's about 3mm clearance between the tyre and arch when on full lock.
Anyway, what's strange is that since the chance, I get a fairly strong vibration when stationary in Drive with the brake pressed. I can feel it on the brake pedal, steering wheel and under my bum. The whole car vibrates slightly as if the engine was touching the body. If I push it into neutral then the vibration stops immediately.
I can't figure it out. Any ideas anyone?
Strange side effect of PSS9's
Strange side effect of PSS9's
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
As you also say that the car is much too low, it could be that the bump-stops are already coming into play and transferring someof the driveline vibes into the body. Would suggest lifting the car as you describe and then try again.
I have the PSS9s but without the symptoms you describe.
Phil G
I have the PSS9s but without the symptoms you describe.
Phil G
RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
Thanks for that, Phil. I've just raised the car by a good 40mm and it's back to what looks like standard height. I've just tested quickly in the garage and the vibration seems to have gone. I'll try it more later.
I'm not thrilled with Bilstein: no instructions, no indications of max / min height, not clear where to use original parts or not. This is especially true of the fronts where the springs fit into the old rubbers. Doesn't feel right. Feels like there's a part missing or something. But since there's no instructions, who knows.
The only instructions I used were the KW ones that someone kindly sent me. I called Bilstein UK for some instructions and they said to just use the KW ones...
I'm guessing that you can adjust as far as there is threading on the damper. I hope so because I had to go righit to the tyop. Any comments?
I'm not thrilled with Bilstein: no instructions, no indications of max / min height, not clear where to use original parts or not. This is especially true of the fronts where the springs fit into the old rubbers. Doesn't feel right. Feels like there's a part missing or something. But since there's no instructions, who knows.
The only instructions I used were the KW ones that someone kindly sent me. I called Bilstein UK for some instructions and they said to just use the KW ones...
I'm guessing that you can adjust as far as there is threading on the damper. I hope so because I had to go righit to the tyop. Any comments?
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
OK, the vibration has definitely gone. I'm quite staggered at the difference in handling from the broken DRC. Going to find some country roads now to try it out 
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
I think the springs are constant rate, so they should work regardless of fitted length, hence you can set the height anywhere in the threaded range.
Personally, I never run the damping any softer than No.4, as beyond that (towards No.9) there is insufficient bump and rebound to control the stiff springs and the ride gets a lot worse - but feels stiffer, which is confusing. The vibration that you associate with stiffer is actually fast oscillations of the unsprung mass which the ineffective damping cannot control.
But from No.4 and upwards in terms of stiffness (towards No.1) I find things much better. I use only two settings in fact - No.4 on the road and No1. on track (the odd long circuit over here and the Ring too).
TIP: Adjusting the fronts is easy, as you can see the reference marks easy enough with a torch whilst on full lock for each side, but the rears are more difficult. To make it a non-wheel removal job in future, take wheel off and set the rears at No.4 accurately, then mark the shock body and the adjuster with white paint so that you can simply reset to that next time without having the hassle.
Good Luck!
Phil G
Personally, I never run the damping any softer than No.4, as beyond that (towards No.9) there is insufficient bump and rebound to control the stiff springs and the ride gets a lot worse - but feels stiffer, which is confusing. The vibration that you associate with stiffer is actually fast oscillations of the unsprung mass which the ineffective damping cannot control.
But from No.4 and upwards in terms of stiffness (towards No.1) I find things much better. I use only two settings in fact - No.4 on the road and No1. on track (the odd long circuit over here and the Ring too).
TIP: Adjusting the fronts is easy, as you can see the reference marks easy enough with a torch whilst on full lock for each side, but the rears are more difficult. To make it a non-wheel removal job in future, take wheel off and set the rears at No.4 accurately, then mark the shock body and the adjuster with white paint so that you can simply reset to that next time without having the hassle.
Good Luck!
Phil G
RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
that's a good tip, thanks. I've got them set at 6 and the ride is great. Felt a bit floaty at the rear on brAking on a curve earlier - just wasn't an ideal place to brake but other people will insist on using the roads.
I'll try 4. Your explanation sounds pretty convincing. Good tip on the paint too. Especially since I mounted the rears with the knob facing in. Oops.
I'm thrilled to have a new car. I know it's cliché'd but it's so true. I still wince going over bumps but it's just out of habit. Amazing the crap we get used to and put up with.
I'll try 4. Your explanation sounds pretty convincing. Good tip on the paint too. Especially since I mounted the rears with the knob facing in. Oops.
I'm thrilled to have a new car. I know it's cliché'd but it's so true. I still wince going over bumps but it's just out of habit. Amazing the crap we get used to and put up with.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
The PSS9's do not have a big adjustment range like the KWs. Although you can adjust two-three inches on the threaded collar, it's not recommended by Bilstein.
RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
My PSS9s are too low (almost rubbing the wheel arch but there is no vibration - I will raise them an inch as I keep grounding over speed humps. Is raising them easy (the garage fitted mine) as I assume you unlock the ring nut on the thread and turn it to push the nut up ??
I keep mine on setting 4 too - not tried 1 yet but 5 upwards is not to my liking (but the wife seems to moan less when they are on about 7 or 8!).
I keep mine on setting 4 too - not tried 1 yet but 5 upwards is not to my liking (but the wife seems to moan less when they are on about 7 or 8!).
THey are quite easy to raise. In the front, just take the wheel off, loosen the locking ring and use the hook shaped bilstein tool to compress the spring and raise its seat. Plenty of room.
At the rear, it's much easier to give yourself more room by dropping the caliper and heat sheild. 5 bolts to undo. You'll need a 13mm ring spanner and 15mm open spanner for the 2 bolts on the calipers, and a 10mm socket for the 3 bolts on the heat shield.
Hint: You should be table to turn the nut and the spring at the same time by hand most of the way until the spring compression makes this to difficult. Takes ages doing 1/12 turns with the bilstein.
I have gone back to almost stock suspension height. For info:
Fronts: 145mm from the beginning of the thread to under the wide nut. This is as high as the nut will go.
Rears: 86mm from bottom of thread to underside of wide nut.
At the rear, it's much easier to give yourself more room by dropping the caliper and heat sheild. 5 bolts to undo. You'll need a 13mm ring spanner and 15mm open spanner for the 2 bolts on the calipers, and a 10mm socket for the 3 bolts on the heat shield.
Hint: You should be table to turn the nut and the spring at the same time by hand most of the way until the spring compression makes this to difficult. Takes ages doing 1/12 turns with the bilstein.
I have gone back to almost stock suspension height. For info:
Fronts: 145mm from the beginning of the thread to under the wide nut. This is as high as the nut will go.
Rears: 86mm from bottom of thread to underside of wide nut.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
Re: RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
The KW instructions I was using said that the range (of the KWs) was adjustable within 20mm - not a lot, I thought.rharris wrote:The PSS9's do not have a big adjustment range like the KWs. Although you can adjust two-three inches on the threaded collar, it's not recommended by Bilstein.
I think i'll give bilstein a call at some point to discuss. There was some info in the TÃœV document that came with the kit, but there were several different models covered, and none of the info was very clear.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
RE: Re: RE: Strange side effect of PSS9
Just spoke to Bilstein Leicester. The guy I spoke to said that the PSS9's were adjustable within the threaded range, so I should be OK I guess.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
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