Suspension Coilover damping hks help

[devil84]

Hi guys,

I got hks hipermax 3 coilovers on my new fn2.

I am finding the ride a bit firm when paired up with my rages..

So question, should I soften the damping on the coilovers? Or is this not recommended as it was set to the optimum damping setting when the frsu was done?

If okay to soften, as it won't affect handling, does anyone know where it adjusts, and what tool I would need for the hks hipermax 3 coilovers.

Thanks in advance.

[devil84]

Cany anyone help?

Has anyone had these coilovers on this forum? Some must have?

[Staffs Deltic]

Is there not an adjuster at the top of the suspension strut (I've got BC coilovers not HKS)? Usually that is where you adjust them. Adjusting the suspension for ride quality should not affect the FRS settings.

[dannyd2134]

Try and look for number 5 on this picture.



Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

[devil84]

thank you! shame that number 5 covers what spanner/wrench size i need to use?

Would that be same for rears??

[ghost_bhp]

Originally Posted by devil84

thank you! shame that number 5 covers what spanner/wrench size i need to use?

Would that be same for rears??

Making the dampers more compliant on bumpy surfaces could have an adverse effect on the balance of the car. I would suggest going to a tuner having them set it up for the road, and then set up for potential track use. That way you have the best of both worlds by knowing the correct settings enabling you to switch them when required.

Im contemplating fixed rate coilovers at the moment, but remembering what all my previous cars were like with coilovers and the ball ache setting them up bump pot hole... going and getting the geometry reset time and time again :/

I wish there was an ajustable shock option!

[dannyd2134]

Originally Posted by ghost_bhp

Making the dampers more compliant on bumpy surfaces could have an adverse effect on the balance of the car. I would suggest going to a tuner having them set it up for the road, and then set up for potential track use. That way you have the best of both worlds by knowing the correct settings enabling you to switch them when required.

Im contemplating fixed rate coilovers at the moment, but remembering what all my previous cars were like with coilovers and the ball ache setting them up bump pot hole... going and getting the geometry reset time and time again :/

I wish there was an ajustable shock option!

Yes there is an adjustable shock option, don't slam the car on its arse.

Fixed rate will be useless, it will bounce and bang bumps so badly and you wont be able to adjust for road or track use.

If you're hitting potholes, you seriously need to consider how you drive in the sense of watching where you're driving.

People think i'm pissed 3/4's of the time when they're behind me, police also follow me as i avoid potholes and see if i'm drunk lol!!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

[dannyd2134]

Originally Posted by devil84

thank you! shame that number 5 covers what spanner/wrench size i need to use?

Would that be same for rears??

No wrench, you should be able to adjust with your fingers or an alan key or they should have an adjuster to turn which says soft with an arrow one way and hard with an arrow pointing the other way. :thumbup:

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[devil84]

So are you saying, I should not mess around with the damping then?

I thought you could adjust the damping independently of the geometry??

please see pic of adjustable knob i found on my rears, but could not find a spanner to adjust, appears to be a 9mm spanner... and my mate did not have the 9mm spanner, had everything else. He says its an odd size, and he wants some instructions. Should the coilovers have come with a custom spanner?

do i just turn that bolt underneath?

[dannyd2134]

No DO NOT turn the bolt underneath!

You adjust where the hole is at the top, should be an alan key and if not then you need to call paul at tdi north or mark at tdi south, asking them about it.

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[devil84]

TDI north were not sure. I have PM them already.

[dannyd2134]

Ease of Adjustment
The height and damper settings are very simple to adjust. You will have to jack the car up in order to reach the threaded body of the shock however. If you are planning on adjusting the rear dampers, make sure you do it before you go on the track, as when the brakes get hot, you will burn yourself. I learnt the hard way. The front dampers are adjusted with an allen key or the provided HKS adjustment ****, and the rear dampers have a built in **** at the bottom of the damper.

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[saracen]

You shoud have an allen key with the kit, I had mine fitted a few weeks ago and find them a little bumpy with 8.5 x 19's. the rears are easy to sajust just lift the trim on the wheel arch and use the key, the front adjuster is under the scuttle trim, I am going to drill a small hole in mine for ease of access. You should not need to adjust the ride height just the damping of the shock. Hope this helps

[devil84]

Thanks for your response. Did you have the same exact kit as me?? I am getting rid of 19s anyhow

How soft did you set it to?? Is it just a standard allen key. I got a load at home...

Thanks. This is giving me a headache, literally!

[devil84]

Thanks for your response. Did you have the same exact kit as me?? I am getting rid of 19s anyhow

How soft did you set it to?? Is it just a standard allen key. I got a load at home...

Thanks. This is giving me a headache, literally!

[dannyd2134]

Empty your inbox. Lol

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

[devil84]

Originally Posted by saracen

You shoud have an allen key with the kit, I had mine fitted a few weeks ago and find them a little bumpy with 8.5 x 19's. the rears are easy to sajust just lift the trim on the wheel arch and use the key, the front adjuster is under the scuttle trim, I am going to drill a small hole in mine for ease of access. You should not need to adjust the ride height just the damping of the shock. Hope this helps

Is your kit exactly the same as mine?? could you take a picture of the said allen key please

my set of allen keys don't work...

[MeisterR]

There should be some type of allen key for you to use.
Normally they are hexagon shape.

Most Mono-Tube damper use a "needle/jet" adjustment system, same as the MeisterR coilovers.
So you turn clock wise to stiffen, and counter clock wise to soften.

But many Japanese suspension does have problem on UK uneven road surfaces, where they are a bit too stiff to handle the bumps we have.
So soften them to see how it goes... if you feel the car "floating", like it is on a pogo stick, then you have gone too soft.

It is a balance that you have to work out, and it is up to the driver preference.
Best of luck.

[devil84]

Originally Posted by MeisterR

There should be some type of allen key for you to use.
Normally they are hexagon shape.

Most Mono-Tube damper use a "needle/jet" adjustment system, same as the MeisterR coilovers.
So you turn clock wise to stiffen, and counter clock wise to soften.

But many Japanese suspension does have problem on UK uneven road surfaces, where they are a bit too stiff to handle the bumps we have.
So soften them to see how it goes... if you feel the car "floating", like it is on a pogo stick, then you have gone too soft.

It is a balance that you have to work out, and it is up to the driver preference.
Best of luck.

thank you! with coilovers, it is possible to get good ride comfort then on softer setting or not possible? (contradiction, coilovers and soft.

[devil84]

BOOM! took the car to Grinspeed today, and Stevie is a legend!

Primary Task: Remove Stage 4 clutch and put oem clutch in (JOB DONE)
He then softened my dampers a touch and showed me how.

Basically, fronts: 4mm allen key on top of shock
Rears: see pic, its on bottom of mount.

It was on near the hardest setting, so he turned it right down, and now definietely taken the sting out now, I also downsized to 18s! so now is comfort is much better, especially with stage 4 clutch out.

Loving the FN2