Initial impressions of H&R coilovers' new MarkIII rear springs...
10-19-2000, 06:51 PM
#1
Eighth Member of AudiWorld. God-like, glorious and all-knowing.
Thread Starter
Initial impressions of H&R coilovers' new MarkIII rear springs...
<img src="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds/high1.jpg">The following are some VERY preliminary impressions of the new 3rd generation H&R coilovers' rear springs. These are perhaps the first of these revised new springs to arrive in the U.S.
To test them, I drove hard for about an hour. I first hit a stretch of freeway with many dips. It was built over a landfill, and the earth under the roadway has settled, creating a very uneven surface. In the past, this stretch of road (SR52 from SR 163) was almost painful at higher speeds. Now, the ride does not seem nearly as harsh as before. Overall, the ride seems more balanced, and the ride character is more similar to the front coilovers.
Next, I drove through one of those neighborhoods with about 20 huge speed bumps, to check for noise (Capricorn Way in Mira Mesa). These springs are obviously quieter than the first generation. This is not to say that you won't ever hear a noise. But there is virtually none of the "pots and pans" sounds that I heard in the earlier version. So at this early stage, I think it's safe to say that they are a definite improvement.
However, I recognize that my impressions may not be entirely due to the new springs, as before the TT was unusually low. So some of the harshness was likely attributable to the ride height.
Currently, the rear is unusually high. The installer left them that way, as they said it was the only way to get the rear camber, which is not adjustable, below 2.5 degrees of negative camber. Before, they were over -3.5 degrees, which is clearly too much.
My current specs will follow, and your suggestions with regard to future ride height, alignment specs and such is appreciated. Also, if you see any flaw in my gameplan, please let me know, as I am far from an expert with regard to alignment (though I'm learning).
Currently, my rear rides an inch higher than the front. My gameplan is to drive this way for 500-1000 miles to allow the springs to settle. Then, I will go to a very good suspension shop and have the rear "slotted". This will allow me to adjust the rear camber. Then I will have the rear lowered, but probably leave the front about where it is.
Here are my current specs, which will obviously improve soon:
Ride height (as measured from centercap to bottom of wheel arch):
Fronts: 13.25"
Rears: 14.25"
Front wheels:
Left front:
-0.8 degrees camber (spec -1.3 to -0.3)
6.9 degrees caster (spec 7.5 to 8.5)
0.05 degrees toe (spec 0.01 to 0.12)
Right front:
-1.2 degrees camber (spec -1.3 to -0.3)
6.9 degrees caster (spec 7.5 to 8.5)
0.05 degrees toe (spec 0.01 to 0.12)
Front:
0.4 degrees cross camber (spec -0.5 to 0.5)
0.0 degrees cross caster (spec -0.5 to 0.5)
0.10 degrees total toe (spec 0.02 to 0.25)
Rear wheels:
Left rear:
-2.4 degrees camber (spec -1.8 to -1.2)
0.23 degrees toe (spec 0.04 to 0.21)
Right rear:
-2.3 degrees camber (spec -1.8 to -1.2)
0.19 degrees toe (spec 0.04 to 0.21)
Total Toe: 0.42 degrees (spec 0.08 to 0.42)
Thrust Angle: 0.02 (spec -0.25 to 0.25)
To test them, I drove hard for about an hour. I first hit a stretch of freeway with many dips. It was built over a landfill, and the earth under the roadway has settled, creating a very uneven surface. In the past, this stretch of road (SR52 from SR 163) was almost painful at higher speeds. Now, the ride does not seem nearly as harsh as before. Overall, the ride seems more balanced, and the ride character is more similar to the front coilovers.
Next, I drove through one of those neighborhoods with about 20 huge speed bumps, to check for noise (Capricorn Way in Mira Mesa). These springs are obviously quieter than the first generation. This is not to say that you won't ever hear a noise. But there is virtually none of the "pots and pans" sounds that I heard in the earlier version. So at this early stage, I think it's safe to say that they are a definite improvement.
However, I recognize that my impressions may not be entirely due to the new springs, as before the TT was unusually low. So some of the harshness was likely attributable to the ride height.
Currently, the rear is unusually high. The installer left them that way, as they said it was the only way to get the rear camber, which is not adjustable, below 2.5 degrees of negative camber. Before, they were over -3.5 degrees, which is clearly too much.
My current specs will follow, and your suggestions with regard to future ride height, alignment specs and such is appreciated. Also, if you see any flaw in my gameplan, please let me know, as I am far from an expert with regard to alignment (though I'm learning).
Currently, my rear rides an inch higher than the front. My gameplan is to drive this way for 500-1000 miles to allow the springs to settle. Then, I will go to a very good suspension shop and have the rear "slotted". This will allow me to adjust the rear camber. Then I will have the rear lowered, but probably leave the front about where it is.
Here are my current specs, which will obviously improve soon:
Ride height (as measured from centercap to bottom of wheel arch):
Fronts: 13.25"
Rears: 14.25"
Front wheels:
Left front:
-0.8 degrees camber (spec -1.3 to -0.3)
6.9 degrees caster (spec 7.5 to 8.5)
0.05 degrees toe (spec 0.01 to 0.12)
Right front:
-1.2 degrees camber (spec -1.3 to -0.3)
6.9 degrees caster (spec 7.5 to 8.5)
0.05 degrees toe (spec 0.01 to 0.12)
Front:
0.4 degrees cross camber (spec -0.5 to 0.5)
0.0 degrees cross caster (spec -0.5 to 0.5)
0.10 degrees total toe (spec 0.02 to 0.25)
Rear wheels:
Left rear:
-2.4 degrees camber (spec -1.8 to -1.2)
0.23 degrees toe (spec 0.04 to 0.21)
Right rear:
-2.3 degrees camber (spec -1.8 to -1.2)
0.19 degrees toe (spec 0.04 to 0.21)
Total Toe: 0.42 degrees (spec 0.08 to 0.42)
Thrust Angle: 0.02 (spec -0.25 to 0.25)
10-19-2000, 06:52 PM
#2
Eighth Member of AudiWorld. God-like, glorious and all-knowing.
Thread Starter
Re: Initial impressions of H&R coilovers' new MarkIII rear springs (pic 2)...
<center><img src="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds/high2.jpg"></center><p>
10-19-2000, 06:52 PM
#3
Eighth Member of AudiWorld. God-like, glorious and all-knowing.
Thread Starter
Re: Initial impressions of H&R coilovers' new MarkIII rear springs (pic 3)...
<center><img src="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds/high3.jpg"></center><p>
10-19-2000, 07:14 PM
#6
Just slightly, but slotting the bolt holes to adjust rear camber is definitely.....
.....the way to go in my book. Hopefully, there will be some method to keep rear camber set since there will be a tendency for the mounting bolts to move a bit after a few miles.
I assume that the shop will slot the bolt holes on the inner mount of the lower control arm? If so, there should be a way to then use some sort of eccentric adjuster on the bolt if they weld up a pair of stops on the subframe itself to keep the bolt aligned. I know of some Mercedes hardware that might fit the task, but the stops will have to be a custom arrangement.
I assume that the shop will slot the bolt holes on the inner mount of the lower control arm? If so, there should be a way to then use some sort of eccentric adjuster on the bolt if they weld up a pair of stops on the subframe itself to keep the bolt aligned. I know of some Mercedes hardware that might fit the task, but the stops will have to be a custom arrangement.
