[Prissy]

So my front left and front right ride height is off by about 1 inch, I thought it was my stock sport suspension but yesterday I've installed KW-V1 (carefully measured the threads and both sides are even) and the heights still off by almost 1 inch. Does anyone know what could be the cause? I would like to get an idea before I bring the car to the dealer or shop. Thanks!

[ashmostro]

Don't set ride height by setting the threads the same. All cars are a little different. Assuming you are able to get aligned to spec your chassis should be fine. Set the ride heights to however you want them.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Don't set ride height by setting the threads the same. All cars are a little different. Assuming you are able to get aligned to spec your chassis should be fine. Set the ride heights to however you want them.

Does it mean that an alignment could bring the height to even? Sorry I am confused...

[ashmostro]

No, I brought up alignment to say that if you can get your car aligned, your chassis probably isn't damaged and the uneven ride height is unimportant. If your chassis is truly tweaked you probably wouldn't be able to get the wheels to align with just the factory adjustment range.

You of course use the ride height adjusters to get the ride height in spec.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

No, I brought up alignment to say that if you can get your car aligned, your chassis probably isn't damaged and the uneven ride height is unimportant. If your chassis is truly tweaked you probably wouldn't be able to get the wheels to align with just the factory adjustment range.

You of course use the ride height adjusters to get the ride height in spec.

Thanks for your input. I just hope nothing is seriously damaged...

[ashmostro]

I doubt it is, or you would be noticing weird handling or other issues.

[tomtom11]

is your passenger height lower then the driver side? if so i have heard that BMW does this on purpose so that the ride height is level once the driver gets in the car. of course if you have a passenger in the car then it wont be level again lol

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

I doubt it is, or you would be noticing weird handling or other issues.

Originally Posted by tomtom11

is your passenger height lower then the driver side? if so i have heard that BMW does this on purpose so that the ride height is level once the driver gets in the car. of course if you have a passenger in the car then it wont be level again lol

Ya it is the passenger side that is higher about almost 1". I've heard the same thing too, but an 1" is a bit too much to be off...

[Game]

Originally Posted by Prissy

Ya it is the passenger side that is higher about almost 1". I've heard the same thing too, but an 1" is a bit too much to be off...

He actually said that the driver's side should be higher.

But I have the same problem OP. Seems like the rear passenger side is the lowest.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by Game

He actually said that the driver's side should be higher.

But I have the same problem OP. Seems like the rear passenger side is the lowest.

I am gonna go have it checked... You should check your shocks, I just got my coilover couple days ago... so I doubt its my shocks since they are new, unless its installed wrong.

[ajsalida]

1" is a lot, def something weird going on. What is the history of the car? So many things this could be.

Not saying it is bad but 1" is far too much difference for stock unmolested. Something is bent, broken, or otherwise wrong.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

1" is a lot, def something weird going on. What is the history of the car? So many things this could be.

Not saying it is bad but 1" is far too much difference for stock unmolested. Something is bent, broken, or otherwise wrong.

Ya I agree... the car is a CPO, but I believe it came with even heights, but since the dealer replaced one of my front shock under warranty, the height's became uneven... But now I am on a brand new set of KW V1 and its still uneven... I hope if I take it to the dealer they won't blame this crap on my KW V1.

[ashmostro]

Is it just in the front or both front and back?

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Is it just in the front or both front and back?

just the front... I think one of the front is too low...

[jjellyneck]

Possibly the right side strut mount has deteriorated or has compressed in some way? Could have happened when the dealer installed the replacement damper/strut.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by jjellyneck

Possibly the right side strut mount has deteriorated or has compressed in some way? Could have happened when the dealer installed the replacement damper/strut.

The strut mount is part of the stock suspension right? I have KW V1 installed, do you know if the stock strut mount is reused for the KW V1? Or KW V1 comes with its own strut mount?

[ashmostro]

The strut mount is part of the steering knuckle. it's just the clamp that the strut goes into. If the strut isn't seated all the way into the clamp on one side, it could make the ride height difference. But that would have to mean that the stock strut was improperly mounted too. Low probability of that happening, unless there's some kind of physical obstruction in the clamp that is causing the issue.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

The strut mount is part of the steering knuckle. it's just the clamp that the strut goes into. If the strut isn't seated all the way into the clamp on one side, it could make the ride height difference. But that would have to mean that the stock strut was improperly mounted too. Low probability of that happening, unless there's some kind of physical obstruction in the clamp that is causing the issue.

Ahhh icic... man thanks so much for the help! It is really pain in an ass

[ashmostro]

No worries. Hope it's just something minor.

[RallyRcrr]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

1" is a lot, def something weird going on. What is the history of the car? So many things this could be.

Not saying it is bad but 1" is far too much difference for stock unmolested. Something is bent, broken, or otherwise wrong.

+1 that 1" is definitely indicative of something wrong, though not necessarily broken. It could even be something as simple as a spring perch that isn't set properly. If you haven't had any accidents or body/frame damage I wouldn't worry. Just recheck your installation making sure everything is seated properly then do the following:

Ideally you should correct the ride height to match to the lowering leve you want, and then take the suspension to get corner balanced. After that then you should get it aligned. Only after then you can start playing with the damper settings. That's the proper order to get an adjustable suspension configured properly. You repeat the order if you didn't like the results. ...oh, and take notes on each adjustment!!

Height >> Corner Balance >> Alignment >> Damper/Swaybar Settings >> Repeat! (if necessary)

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

No worries. Hope it's just something minor.

Originally Posted by RallyRcrr

+1 that 1" is definitely indicative of something wrong, though not necessarily broken. It could even be something as simple as a spring perch that isn't set properly. If you haven't had any accidents or body/frame damage I wouldn't worry. Just recheck your installation making sure everything is seated properly then do the following:

Ideally you should correct the ride height to match to the lowering leve you want, and then take the suspension to get corner balanced. After that then you should get it aligned. Only after then you can start playing with the damper settings. That's the proper order to get an adjustable suspension configured properly. You repeat the order if you didn't like the results. ...oh, and take notes on each adjustment!!

Height >> Corner Balance >> Alignment >> Damper/Swaybar Settings >> Repeat! (if necessary)

Thanks guys! I really appreciated. Even tho I don't know what is wrong exactly yet, but you guys def gave me an idea of what could be wrong. Love this community!

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

The strut mount is part of the steering knuckle. it's just the clamp that the strut goes into. If the strut isn't seated all the way into the clamp on one side, it could make the ride height difference. But that would have to mean that the stock strut was improperly mounted too. Low probability of that happening, unless there's some kind of physical obstruction in the clamp that is causing the issue.

I think he meant the upper strut hat/perch thing? I was thinking that myself. Unless you have camber plates those get reused on the KW's I believe. So if the left one were damaged/worn, and the right one is new, that might be it.

Would be easy to tell by popping the hood and comparing how high the top of each strut sticks up through the hole.