Coilovers

4.2 V8 40v biturbo - 450 bhp
4.2 V8 40v biturbo - 480 bhp (plus)
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ChrisA
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Coilovers

Post by ChrisA » Mon Jan 24, 2022 5:04 pm

So I think I’m going to invest is a new set of coilovers as mine, along with the springs, are looking long past their best.

Are Bilstein still the coilover of choice? Im not after a harsh ride, the set up I have now seems comfortable enough. I’m not 100% sure if I have the 14s or 16s. Do the 16s have a dampening adjuster near the hub?

Are they simple enough to change?

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Shoppinit
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Re: Coilovers

Post by Shoppinit » Mon Jan 24, 2022 5:06 pm

The PSS16 have a circular adjust knob at the bottom of the strut. PSS don't have anything since they are not adjustable.

Very easy to replace. Get new top mounts, too, while you're at it.
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."

ChrisA
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Re: Coilovers

Post by ChrisA » Mon Jan 24, 2022 5:37 pm

Thanks Ben. I currently have PSS16 then. Such a shame that they can’t be cleaned up, seems like a waste to bin £1.5k worth of suspension because it’s rusty.

Has anyone tried the coilover covers to stop the new set becoming so grubby?

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Shoppinit
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Re: Coilovers

Post by Shoppinit » Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:03 pm

Why don’t you get a thread cutting die and recut the threads? Not sure where you’d find one that big but the must exist! Or get someone with a lathe to turn the thread in.
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."

ChrisA
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Re: Coilovers

Post by ChrisA » Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:25 pm

It’s an idea, I’ll look into it. 👍

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Shoppinit
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Re: Coilovers

Post by Shoppinit » Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:30 pm

Is the nut seized then?
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."

ChrisA
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Re: Coilovers

Post by ChrisA » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:03 pm

Yes. I’ve been plus gassing it all week and there’s no movement at all up or down.

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Shoppinit
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Re: Coilovers

Post by Shoppinit » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:16 pm

You mean you can't rotate the nuts?

I would remove the struts and apply heat to one side of the nut using a blow torch, then use the candle method to introduce a bit of paraffin. Then I'd probably repeat on the other side. Maybe even do that several times all the way round.

Acutally, I'm far too lazy for that. I'd probably just buy some new PSS9.
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."

ChrisA
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Re: Coilovers

Post by ChrisA » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:31 pm

Yes, the nuts are stuck tight.

I have no idea what the “candle method” is but I’ll get one off and take a look on the bench.

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Shoppinit
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Re: Coilovers

Post by Shoppinit » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:45 pm

Heat it up and press a candle to it. The molten wax gets drawn into the gaps and lubes the thread. I’ve had success with extremely difficult nuts / studs.
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."

steve2003rs6
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Re: Coilovers

Post by steve2003rs6 » Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:08 pm

What about using a thread file to remove most of the crap. Can be very successful and they are not too expensive to purchase.
Used them many times to get me out trouble.

You need to know the correct pitch of the thread. If unsure measure the pitch of the thread with a set of thread gauges. Then buy a thread file with the right pitch.

steve2003rs6
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Re: Coilovers

Post by steve2003rs6 » Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:18 pm

69BC5413-DA99-4DA8-ADD3-DB019F7A7E6C.png
Similar to one of these. But you need to get the right pitch.
Used it to great effect on my old coil overs
Once the threads are clean. Use heat on the nuts (as Ben suggested) to get the initial movement.
Last edited by steve2003rs6 on Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

ChrisA
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Re: Coilovers

Post by ChrisA » Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:33 pm

Shoppinit wrote:
Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:45 pm
Heat it up and press a candle to it. The molten wax gets drawn into the gaps and lubes the thread. I’ve had success with extremely difficult nuts / studs.
That’s amazing. 🤩

Thanks steve. 👍

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Shoppinit
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Re: Coilovers

Post by Shoppinit » Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:38 pm

steve2003rs6 wrote:
Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:18 pm
69BC5413-DA99-4DA8-ADD3-DB019F7A7E6C.png

Similar to one of these. But you need to get the right pitch.
Used it to great effect on my old coil overs
Once the threads are clean. Use heat on the nuts (as Ben suggested) to get the initial movement.
A tool I didn’t know existed. Gonna have to buy one now yer bar steward.
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."

steve2003rs6
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Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:43 pm

Re: Coilovers

Post by steve2003rs6 » Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:57 pm

Used them many many times. Very very useful in cleaning and repairing threads.
But you must get a thread file for the right pitch of the thread that you want to clean up.
Bloody hell ben have I actually taught you something lol
They come in all sorts of pitch configurations.
Essential to order the right file for the pitch you require.

Most good machine shops will have a full set that will cover most eventualities. Perhaps you can borrow one Chris.
But they are cheap so probably best to just buy one.

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