Coilover Questions

E90076 · 03-21-2015, 07:25 AM

I had Dinan coilovers installed back in December and have had alignment issues ever since. The vehicle has been aligned four times (at two different dealers) but the vehicle still pulls to the right...I've had many BMWs and understand that they all drift right as a safety measure but this is more extreme. When letting go of the steering wheel, it will physically turn 2-3 degrees to the right and the car takes off in that direction.

The second dealer and I inspected the coilovers and noticed that while the vehicle ride height is even side-to-side, the spring seat (the adjustable component) on the coilovers is at a significantly different setting from one side to the other. For example, the spring seat on the right side of the vehicle is at least one inch lower than the spring seat on the left...yet the vehicle sits even...

This issue is driving me nuts and making me wish I never had the coilovers installed. I honestly believe its more of an install issue than an alignment issue because the dealers keep getting the vehicle in spec but the issue remains. The only other thing I can think of is that perhaps it's a result of the Dinan alignment recommendations vs. stock. I'm taking it back to the dealer today...any thoughts or suggestions on how to resolve?

Used2be · 03-21-2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90076

The second dealer and I inspected the coilovers and noticed that while the vehicle ride height is even side-to-side, the spring seat (the adjustable component) on the coilovers is at a significantly different setting from one side to the other. For example, the spring seat on the right side of the vehicle is at least one inch lower than the spring seat on the left...yet the vehicle sits even...

I honestly believe its more of an install issue than an alignment issue because the dealers keep getting the vehicle in spec but the issue remains. I'm taking it back to the dealer today...any thoughts or suggestions on how to resolve?

Perhaps disconnect the sway bar from the shock absorber brackets on both sides and you'll find that the side with the lower spring perch will not remain even with the opposite side? A one inch difference in perch height can't be correct. The dealerships didn't try that?

v3n0m · 03-21-2015, 09:31 AM

Agree with above. It's possible they tightened the sway bars before loading the car. If the perches are not aligned this will cause one side to be overloaded.

mcvaughan · 03-21-2015, 09:38 AM

Sounds very much like an install issue to me.

E90076 · 03-21-2015, 04:07 PM

Thanks for the replies. The service manager advised me that it did not concern him that the perch heights were different... He explained that he believes the issue can be resolved with the assistance of corner weights.

I'm going to see if the dealer and Dinan can speak and hopefully resolve together.

Used2be · 03-21-2015, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90076

Thanks for the replies. The service manager advised me that it did not concern him that the perch heights were different... He explained that he believes the issue can be resolved with the assistance of corner weights.

Is this the service manager who is responsible for the installation of the coil overs? He is unquestionably wrong about the perch heights! One inch of perch height difference from one side of the car to the other on the same axle is not appropriate. I would take his advice with much skepticism. Good luck. Is he unwilling to disconnect the sway bar to see if the ride height changes on the one side? Something isn't right with this situation...... The only possibility for the perch height difference to actually be correct is if Dinan sent you springs that aren't matched for some reason. Highly unlikely.

E90076 · 03-21-2015, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Used2be

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90076

Thanks for the replies. The service manager advised me that it did not concern him that the perch heights were different... He explained that he believes the issue can be resolved with the assistance of corner weights.

Is this the service manager who is responsible for the installation of the coil overs? He is unquestionably wrong about the perch heights! One inch of perch height difference from one side of the car to the other on the same axle is not appropriate. I would take his advice with much skepticism. Good luck. Is he unwilling to disconnect the sway bar to see if the ride height changes on the one side? Something isn't right with this situation...... The only possibility for the perch height difference to actually be correct is if Dinan sent you springs that aren't matched for some reason. Highly unlikely.

Yes, it is the same manager...

Thanks for the insight - I think I'm going to have to get Dinan involved...this is getting very frustrating and is beginning to negate all of the warranty gains Dinan offers. I would have preferred to have a speed shop do the install that is more familiar with this type of work.

Hellrot Sachin · 11-01-2015, 08:30 PM

What ultimately came of this? Can you offer a review of the coilovers overall? Thanks.

03-21-2015, 07:25 AM	#1
E90076 Lieutenant 234 Rep 506 Posts Drives: X3M, M2CS, M5CS Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Coilover Questions I had Dinan coilovers installed back in December and have had alignment issues ever since. The vehicle has been aligned four times (at two different dealers) but the vehicle still pulls to the right...I've had many BMWs and understand that they all drift right as a safety measure but this is more extreme. When letting go of the steering wheel, it will physically turn 2-3 degrees to the right and the car takes off in that direction. The second dealer and I inspected the coilovers and noticed that while the vehicle ride height is even side-to-side, the spring seat (the adjustable component) on the coilovers is at a significantly different setting from one side to the other. For example, the spring seat on the right side of the vehicle is at least one inch lower than the spring seat on the left...yet the vehicle sits even... This issue is driving me nuts and making me wish I never had the coilovers installed. I honestly believe its more of an install issue than an alignment issue because the dealers keep getting the vehicle in spec but the issue remains. The only other thing I can think of is that perhaps it's a result of the Dinan alignment recommendations vs. stock. I'm taking it back to the dealer today...any thoughts or suggestions on how to resolve?
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03-21-2015, 09:31 AM	#3
v3n0m Lieutenant 57 Rep 451 Posts Drives: 2013 MCB M5 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Agree with above. It's possible they tightened the sway bars before loading the car. If the perches are not aligned this will cause one side to be overloaded.
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03-21-2015, 09:38 AM	#4
mcvaughan Lieutenant Colonel 704 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: F87 Competition Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Katy, TX iTrader: (1)	Sounds very much like an install issue to me. __________________ Matt
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03-21-2015, 04:07 PM	#5
E90076 Lieutenant 234 Rep 506 Posts Drives: X3M, M2CS, M5CS Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. The service manager advised me that it did not concern him that the perch heights were different... He explained that he believes the issue can be resolved with the assistance of corner weights. I'm going to see if the dealer and Dinan can speak and hopefully resolve together.
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11-01-2015, 08:30 PM	#8
Hellrot Sachin First Lieutenant 42 Rep 344 Posts Drives: TiAg E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas iTrader: (3)	What ultimately came of this? Can you offer a review of the coilovers overall? Thanks.
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