[fortythirtyfive]

So I'm probably a good 7-8k into my B14's and I'm beginning to grow tired of the bouncy'ness of these coilovers.

These are the first suspension mods I have ever done, however I kind of hoped they would be more stiff than floaty when compared to stock.

I have the dampening on setting 4 (front and rear) and when I did the NC500 last year I found myself having to drop below 70-80mph on lumpy roads because I was bouncing about, meanwhile my friends in stock Fiesta's and Audi's glided over them.

Admittedly I have the height kinda low but they're not maxed out, probably a 1 or 1+1/2 finger gap all round.

Is there anything I can do to fix some of the bounce? I had it last night when driving spirited on some open country lanes, again I had to dip off of the speed because I couldn't take been bounced about in the cabin

I should add that this isn't a consistent thing, I only have the issue when pushing the car.. it's not a major issue to daily driving if I'm below 50-60mph.

[Logicoeur]

You are only adjusting rebound. Compression is locked on B14s iirc. You will have to raise the car to alleviate some bounciness. Or get stiffer springs.

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

You are only adjusting rebound. Compression is locked on B14s iirc. You will have to raise the car to alleviate some bounciness. Or get stiffer springs.

Are there any documented height guides of what not to go below with the B14's?

I'm confused as to why they would let you adjust them to a point that they become horrid to ride on lol. Surely that defeats the whole purpose of their product upgrading the handling/suspension feel of your car

I'll adjust the height this weekend and give it a shot

[Logicoeur]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

Are there any documented height guides of what not to go below with the B14's?

I'm confused as to why they would let you adjust them to a point that they become horrid to ride on lol. Surely that defeats the whole purpose of their product upgrading the handling/suspension feel of your car

I'll adjust the height this weekend and give it a shot

Yes should be in the manual. They always provide more threads than the suggested adjustment range. Likely because they use the shock bodies across many different makes and models. Some higher end coilovers will remove threads at the limits of their suggested adjustment, and some others only provide the exact amount of threads for that suggested adjustment.

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

Yes should be in the manual. They always provide more threads than the suggested adjustment range. Likely because they use the shock bodies across many different makes and models. Some higher end coilovers will remove threads at the limits of their suggested adjustment, and some others only provide the exact amount of threads for that suggested adjustment.

Alright I'll try dig out the pdf again.

Can reducing the rebound setting also help? I'm just trying to find a fine balance between how much height I should add back in a whether I should be increasing or decreasing my rebound settings.

Right now I have them on either 3 or 4 out of 10, I was lead to believe that was roughly the sweet spot leaning a little towards a more stiff ride.

[dmanb2b]

What is your wheel and tire setup?

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

What is your wheel and tire setup?

8.5j 235/35/20
8.5j 255/30/20

Pilot sport 4s

[fortythirtyfive]

I'm an idiot.. I just realised I typed B14 instead of B16, that's what I get for typing whilst talking at the same time..

For clarification I have B16 coilovers installed, not B14's.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

8.5j 235/35/20
8.5j 255/30/20

Pilot sport 4s

Thanks...B16s are certainly on the stiffer side, but your main issue is the 20" wheels. Try borrowing somone's 18' set and I'd bet you would see a tremendous improvement.

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Thanks...B16s are certainly on the stiffer side, but your main issue is the 20" wheels. Try borrowing somone's 18' set and I'd bet you would see a tremendous improvement.

I'd honestly take stiffness if it cancelled out the bounce lol. Am I misconceiving the idea that stiffness is the opposite of what's causing the bounce?

I was kind of hoping the adjustable dial on each strut would make the ride a little more harsh resulting in better control and less floating sensation. Problem is the dampening and rebound are controlled via one setting so it feels like you have to settle for a hybrid of settings.

As I'm a bit of newbie when it comes to suspension setups.. what makes 18's better than 20's? I've had 405m's on runflats previously so I know how rough the ride can be, my current 20's on PS4S feel real smooth in comparison

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

As I'm a bit of newbie when it comes to suspension setups.. what makes 18's better than 20's? I've had 405m's on runflats previously so I know how rough the ride can be, my current 20's on PS4S feel real smooth in comparison

More sidewall and less unsprung weight

[cfm56d7b]

Your experience with B16 coilovers is not uncommon. To echo an earlier comment, 20" wheels also make the symptoms worse. Simplified overview as the wheels encounter road imperfections:

1. 20" tires do not have enough side wall to absorb bump in the road
2. The shock isn't tuned (or cannot be adjusted) for more responsive compression cycle
3. The spring in the coilover - the last stop - doesn't have enough room to compress

So the vehicle suspension - having no other options - transmits the impact upwards and the vehicle bounces.

If you want to have more tuning options and the budget is sufficient flexible, coilovers with independently adjustable compression (which reduces bounce) and rebound cycles. 19" tires will also help.

[smrtypants44]

I have KW V1s on 20's set pretty low and my car rides really well.

[fortythirtyfive]

Thanks for the feedback guys, maybe 19’s will be the next choice then. I’m actually due a warranty claim on the wheels so I’ll see if they’re available in 19’s instead.

I went to lift the car today and car came across a disappointing issue. The outer metal has corroded REALLY badly, it’s got a grey gritty finish and is bubbling, not only that but the damper adjusters on just the rears have fully seized



I’m praying there’s a solution to unsticking them (I tried wd40).. I’ve seen many threads about having to cover shipping to and from Germany for repairs, then I’d have to pay for another alignment having just had one a few weeks ago

(Car now sits at 26.5” floor to middle of arch)

[DLag30]

I had a similar thing occur with my Bilstein kit. I did install them without springs just to see when the bump stops starts to engage. I measured around 26.5" is where they start to engage and might be the possible reason your ride is bumpy/bouncy. I am running softer springs on the front which increases the reliance on the bump stops.

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by DLag30

I had a similar thing occur with my Bilstein kit. I did install them without springs just to see when the bump stops starts to engage. I measured around 26.5" is where they start to engage and might be the possible reason your ride is bumpy/bouncy. I am running softer springs on the front which increases the reliance on the bump stops.

Damn, 26.5" for me is around a 2 finger gap (not the most accurate way I know ha).. which is close to how I was on the oem setup

[fortythirtyfive]

Update.. sounds like Bilstein will have to rebuild the entire shock.

They're thinking either the valve inside is seized or the metal on the adjuster has totally bonded itself for good.



Funnily enough now I've done some research it appears to be an issue across multiple coilover brands, but only on the rears where the adjuster has no protection, the fronts have a dial recessed inside of the body which stops anything from dripping down onto them.

Worryingly I notice the spring also has a ton of rust on the top side of each coil, is this normal as well?

[fortythirtyfive]

Ohh and it gets better, the other side is also seized.. but here’s the cherry, the bottom of the spring has snapped quite jaggedly on a rust point




At this point I’m ready to just bin the lot

[therealm3]

Wow. A broken spring too. That just seems like terrible luck. Sorry to hear it.

[xpro]

sorry to hear you're having bad luck with your B16s

I recently changed from b12's to b16's as i found b12 kit too low for my liking ( scraping the splitter alot) and they were just to harsh for me. ( probably in the region of no 6-7 setting on B16s)

My B16 are super comfortable I must say. But I run all 4x shock on No1 setting. If I bump it up pass 3, it gets progressively less comfortable. So I suggest wind your shocks down to No 1, maybe rise the car litlle bit and see how it goes.

And for record: my b16 corroded within first month. The chrome is no longer shine and its gone all yellow/white

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by therealm3

Wow. A broken spring too. That just seems like terrible luck. Sorry to hear it.

When it rains it pours.. I did a tyre inspection before putting it back on as per, what did I find? a nail in the top of the sidewall

Originally Posted by xpro

sorry to hear you're having bad luck with your B16s

I recently changed from b12's to b16's as i found b12 kit too low for my liking ( scraping the splitter alot) and they were just to harsh for me. ( probably in the region of no 6-7 setting on B16s)

My B16 are super comfortable I must say. But I run all 4x shock on No1 setting. If I bump it up pass 3, it gets progressively less comfortable. So I suggest wind your shocks down to No 1, maybe rise the car litlle bit and see how it goes.

And for record: my b16 corroded within first month. The chrome is no longer shine and its gone all yellow/white

Damn, I've never been above setting 3 so god knows what 6-7 feels like..

I personally had it on setting 3 as I did a road trip around the highlands of Scotland last year, those roads were perfect for a bit of aggressive driving but it now looks I'm stuck with the setting until Bilstein replies lol

I know this may seem a STUPID question, but as it's a quarter of the bottom coil that's broken off how dangerous would it be to continue doing short journeys? It's potentially been like this since November/December as that was the last time I had the wheels off.

[Onizukachan]

Others opinions may vary but to me, safe enough. That’s an idle coil anyway.
My concern is the damn thing rusting to begin with. I’ve had a spring snap letting one off a jack after a tire change, but never on road.

Do you run it on salty roads then keep it nice and warm in the garage or something? I heard tell (possibly old wives tale) that if you can’t rinse it off, leave it in the freezing cold.