Bilstein B14 - lower Than lowest setting

IPG

IPG

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Just wondering if it is ok to run these without the helper spring? At the current setup it's an ok height up front but I would like it to be a cm or two lower. There is a big gap with the adjusting collar all the way down but would it be a matter of raising the collar so the springs are making contact to get it lower than lowest?

Image


Image
 
Coilovers are generally fine to run without helper spring, just take out that spacer thing (on the top on the left strut and in between the springs on the right strut)... And obviously adjust ride height accordingly!

Why you wanting to do that anyway, just doesn't go low enough with it in?
 
sorry, never had coilovers - whats that smaller spring supposed to do?
 
Always thought it was to minimise the initial breakaway force required to overcome the stiction in the dampers seals etc. Leading to a more sensitivity to small bumps and slow speed shock movements.
 
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VAG-Slag said:
, just take out that spacer thing (on the top on the left strut
Click to expand...

LOL yeah I realise that I had that piece in the wrong spot just after I took the photo .

And yes these coil overs are great for handling but I guess they just weren't made to go ultra low
 
Anyone that's ever held a helper spring will know it takes probably less than a kg of force to compress the spring completely... I was always under the impression it just made sure the springs were not loose (when car jack up) and all located properly when you lower the car down.
 
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@DPM whats the small spring for?

@IanPG how low do you want you car? Wheels tucked inside the arches? I'm thinking of getting coilovers to replace my Bilstein B8's as they keep on failing with excessive side-side play in the push rod/piston
 
Not tucked but just sitting on the guard. It's got lowered springs in at the moment which are the perfect height that I want to replicate.

Image


That's the b14 with the lowest at front. Just needs a little lower. The backs can go lower than the pic
 
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thanks for that - looks like the B14s go low enough for me then with the small spring in place
 
yeah, from what i have read they keep the main spring seated on the spring seat/perch when the shocks are fully extended eg. when jacking the car up or getting massive air off a hump back bridge?

sounds like all the coils of the small spring are dead (compressed tight against each other) when the car is in normal operation so don't really do anything
 
Alex C said:
yeah, from what i have read they keep the main spring seated on the spring seat/perch when the shocks are fully extended eg. when jacking the car up or getting massive air off a hump back bridge?

sounds like all the coils of the small spring are dead (compressed tight against each other) when the car is in normal operation so don't really do anything
Click to expand...

The first part is pretty much correct yes but they also work as I mentioned before to help the main spring so unless you're really low the helper spring shouldn't really be fully tightly compressed.

Some kits don't have them and some kits will have larger helper springs, it all depends on the rate and size of the main springs.

Damian @ DPM Performance
 
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DPM said:
unless you're really low the helper spring shouldn't really be fully tightly compressed.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but this is wrong... The ride height of the vehicle with have absolutely no bearing on the force (i.e the weight) acting on the sprigs. And yes, most helper springs will be fully compressed once a car in on the ground, regardless of ride height
 
Yeah they were fully compressed on the lowest setting.

On higher settings. Not too sure because I've always had them on the lowest.

Will post up another pic when I get them on to show how low they get without helper in place.

Only thing I'm concerned of is that huge gap so hopefully adjusting the adjusting collars will give me the height I want without it still being too high
 
IanPG said:
Yeah they were fully compressed on the lowest setting.

On higher settings. Not too sure because I've always had them on the lowest.

Will post up another pic when I get them on to show how low they get without helper in place.

Only thing I'm concerned of is that huge gap so hopefully adjusting the adjusting collars will give me the height I want without it still being too high
Click to expand...

They will be fully compressed at any height... Why is there even any debate over this? Think how that strut works, and use your common sense...

Also, looking at the picture, the length of the the threads on the strut (i.e adjustment) is much greater then the length of the helper spring, even when it's not compressed... You will be able to take up the slack created by the absence of the helper spring and still have plenty of ride-height adjustment in either direction to play with... Simples
 
VAG-Slag said:
Sorry, but this is wrong... The ride height of the vehicle with have absolutely no bearing on the force (i.e the weight) acting on the sprigs. And yes, most helper springs will be fully compressed once a car in on the ground, regardless of ride height
Click to expand...

We'll agree to disagree on that then.

Damian @ DPM Performance
 
IanPG said:
Yeah they were fully compressed on the lowest setting.

On higher settings. Not too sure because I've always had them on the lowest.

Will post up another pic when I get them on to show how low they get without helper in place.

Only thing I'm concerned of is that huge gap so hopefully adjusting the adjusting collars will give me the height I want without it still being too high
Click to expand...

The Bilstein kits are more handling orientated so don't offer the widest range of lowering on the market but even with the helpers in you should be able to get a good stance. All down to how you want it to sit personally though.

Damian @ DPM Performance
 
DPM said:
We'll agree to disagree on that then.

Damian @ DPM Performance
Click to expand...

No, I'm sorry but you're wrong... I suggest you go back to shifting boxes and stop trying to give technical advise on something you clearly know very little, about as you've just proven. Before it confuses people even more and starts giving you a bad name....

Sorry to be so harsh but you've just had 2 stabs in the dark at giving technical advice, both of which have failed!.. I don't doubt you know your stuff about individual kits/manufactures and what they have to offer, but that's obviously as far as it goes.
 
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VAG-Slag said:
No, I'm sorry but you're wrong... I suggest you go back to shifting boxes and stop trying to give technical advise on something you clearly know very little, about as you've just proven. Before it confuses people even more and starts giving you a bad name....

Sorry to be so harsh but you've just had 2 stabs in the dark at giving technical advice, both of which have failed!.. I don't doubt you know your stuff about individual kits/manufactures and what they have to offer, but that's obviously as far as it goes.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I appreciate your honest opinion.

Damian @ DPM Performance
 
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Bin the helper can't even tell the difference on my eibachs with them removed
 
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Hello, pulling this topic back...
Someone maybe is willing to sell his helper springs? Mine are broken and i need new /used one.
 
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