R32 King Spring Low

[sonoramicommando]

Im having a bit of problem with installing King spring (low), they were barely captive when I pulled off stock shocks (the springs had some sort of rubber tubes where they sit against the top and bottom spring seats). And with my Bilstein, I can't get them to sit captive at all (Bilstein being a bit longer than stockers - plus I ditched the rubber tubes as they seemed to have trapped moisture and causing a bit of rust, and naturally that made things worse).

I transferred all other bits from the stock shocks (i.e. top seat, top rubber bush, top washer, another rubber bush between the top seat and the dust boot and the dust boot) - what am I doing wrong here?

cheers,

sam

[Daleo]

You say the Bilsteins are longer than your Std shocks; this extra free length is the reason the springs won't stay captive at full droop.

The rubber tubes are to damp the metal on metal contact; the moisture they trap will be fairly inconsequential.

The metal on metal rubbing of the springs on the spring seats will promote more rust, and creaking noises as the springs compress & extend; if you ask me.

Bilsteins are completely rebuildable, therefore you could have the rods shortened to suit your lower ride height; it is advantageous to have a shock with a shorter free length when running short springs; this allows the piston assembly to operate in the optimum position within the damper (rather than very close to the bottom of it's stroke). That way there is much less chance of bottoming the piston assembly inside the shock and damaging it.

[sonoramicommando]

Thanks for your advice.

I'm dropping only 30mm, and the difference between stock and bilstein shocks is only 10mm - I'm not sure that's significant enough.

[eightsixboy]

Have they been cut? Are you sure there only lows and not a custom spring or super lows?

Something doesnt seem right if there only lows and there not captive.

I had mass issues when i got some custom Aurora springs, they wernt even close to been captive. A stiff spring that will also lower the car more then 25mm is never going to be captive.

[sonoramicommando]

I dont think they were cut, the powder coating is mostly in tact (minus the area where there s rust).

I'm getting some more grooves cut on Bilsteins, see if that fixes it.

I thought Kings Low was straight swap for SK group buy Whiteline springs.