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vdubkid
06-29-2009, 04:40 PM
Maybe you guys could help me figure out how to fix this:

I've got DDM adjustable coilovers, but they wont sit level. The top of the driver's side wheel well is 615mm off the ground, while the passenger side is about 603mm.

The obvious answer is to raise the passenger side to match the driver, but I want to get as low as I can. There's still room to go lower on the passenger side, but the left side won't screw in any further.

I put these in myself, but I am in no way a mechanic. Maybe someone who knows these coilovers could help me out?

TIA, George
M.Burroughs
06-29-2009, 04:47 PM
BMWs are designed with the driver's side shock mount slightly higher, so that when you get in to the car it sits level, for proper geometry.
As far as I know at least.
vdubkid
06-29-2009, 04:48 PM
BMWs are designed with the driver's side shock mount slightly higher, so that when you get in to the car it sits level, for proper geometry.
As far as I know at least.

Haha really? Well fuck if that's the case I feel like an idiot :rofl
M.Burroughs
06-29-2009, 04:50 PM
Don't. I'd want the car sitting level without me in it if its just for appearance. It's likely your springs are stiff enough to compensate for this, and it'l still be level with you in it, for the most part.

Get some shorter springs. :)
vdubkid
06-29-2009, 04:56 PM
Don't. I'd want the car sitting level without me in it if its just for appearance. It's likely your springs are stiff enough to compensate for this, and it'l still be level with you in it, for the most part.

Get some shorter springs. :)

That's the main thing though, the driver's side is significantly higher. I put a bunch of preload on the spring then screwed the shock as far down as it would go. So now there's ~10mm between the locking ring for the height and the locking ring for the spring.

So the driver's side is as far down as I can get it right now, while the passenger side still has tons of room for adjustment.
M.Burroughs
06-29-2009, 05:16 PM
Get smaller springs
SeanDub
06-29-2009, 07:30 PM
Mine sit just barely higher on the left side, no DDM for me though.
GiRARDsays
06-29-2009, 09:13 PM
My driver side sits higher than my passenger side is well. I fortunately still have room for adjustment, but I'm too lazy to do it. :)
TillRodsFly
06-29-2009, 11:39 PM
BMWs are designed with the driver's side shock mount slightly higher, so that when you get in to the car it sits level, for proper geometry.
As far as I know at least.

I second this as my stock springs/struts are this way.


Yes..I said stock:shifty Coilovers are comming soon...I promise!;)
ProjektONE
06-30-2009, 08:43 AM
I have Ground Control/Konis and I have the same issue. The drivers side is slightly higher. I just matched the lowest setting on the drivers side and evened out the passanger side.
Digitalwave
06-30-2009, 10:54 AM
I have my driver's side set ~10mm lower than the passenger's side. Probably not the best for tire wear but I never keep wheels around long enough to go through a set of tires anyways.
Moose
06-30-2009, 02:37 PM
That is cool, I never knew that. I wonder what other makes do that.
Tuck&Poke
06-30-2009, 02:41 PM
my Passat does the same thing. In fact, i have yet to come across a car that doesn't.
nyy42
07-01-2009, 01:18 AM
Are your coils AND struts even? I know the DDM adjust from the bottom of the shock as well
dinanm3atl
07-01-2009, 01:01 PM
How are you adjusting the ride height?
vdubkid
07-01-2009, 02:40 PM
Are your coils AND struts even? I know the DDM adjust from the bottom of the shock as well

How are you adjusting the ride height?

Yeah sorry my wording isn't very clear. Yes I am adjusting the ride height, and on the driver's side it's as low as the strut will go, while the passenger side still has plenty of room to go lower.

It's not the springs that are causing the issue (I think).
B Rod
07-01-2009, 03:52 PM
How are you adjusting the ride height?

What ways are there besides just threading the ring down or up?
vdubkid
07-01-2009, 05:13 PM
What ways are there besides just threading the ring down or up?

I hear taking the locking rings off lets you get lower, but like I don't see how. Mine are still on and I can't screw the strut down any further.
M.Burroughs
07-01-2009, 11:12 PM
I think he means because there are two ways to adjust- from the top and bottom.
Mscire2
07-04-2009, 01:49 AM
I think he means because there are two ways to adjust- from the top and bottom.

you would be correct sir
vdubkid
07-04-2009, 11:59 AM
I think he means because there are two ways to adjust- from the top and bottom.

you would be correct sir

Then I guess I need someone to sit me down and tell me everything about these coilovers. The shitty instructions that DDM gives were no help, and I only know of one way to adjust.
dinanm3atl
07-05-2009, 01:02 PM
You didn't answer my question. And on these there is no 'ring to thread down' if you are lowering and raising per the intruction manual.
vdubkid
07-05-2009, 01:50 PM
You didn't answer my question. And on these there is no 'ring to thread down' if you are lowering and raising per the intruction manual.

Right, here's what I do:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/genesi508/2w6rkgicopy.jpg

Spin B up the thread, then with the two top rings locked together I thread A down into the shock.

I bought these used off of a bfc member, and he sent along two pages of installation instructions from DDM, which didn't help me. I, stupidly, haven't looked at them since installing and have gotten information off of other members.
dinanm3atl
07-05-2009, 03:11 PM
I would have to walk out into my garage to confirm but IIRC that is correct. It says right in the manual how to raise or lower the vehicle.

I would start over and get them all sitting at normal to mild drop ride height and move them all down equal and maybe you can see where the problem is coming in. If just one corner seems to not lower more as you 'lower it' there may be another problem.
vdubkid
07-05-2009, 03:36 PM
I would have to walk out into my garage to confirm but IIRC that is correct. It says right in the manual how to raise or lower the vehicle.

I would start over and get them all sitting at normal to mild drop ride height and move them all down equal and maybe you can see where the problem is coming in. If just one corner seems to not lower more as you 'lower it' there may be another problem.

A very good idea, but I managed to cross-thread one of the wheel bolts after trying to see what's up last week, so I can't exactly get the wheel off haha.

Luckily the wheel is on tight so I can still drive while I come up with the money for a new hub.