need help with my kw2

DisGuy · 03-05-2011, 01:49 PM

tried searching for a DIY kw2 coilovers for my 08 e92 but couldnt find anything, could someone point me in the right direction. if there isnt any DIY is there any helpful tips u guys have for me when i swap it out, anything difficult about the job?

IN54NITY · 03-05-2011, 03:43 PM

DIY Section
http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=172

DIY "Index" Sticky
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1721
(Search for "Suspension/Chassis" on this HTML page itself)

"H&R Spring Install" (Guess what, KWs have springs too

)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15397
*Read this thread carefully* You only need to remove the ~outside~ lower control arm bolt (it's tightened to 121 ft-lb of torque) If you remove the inside one you will mess with the camber.

Front Strut
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65204

Rear Strut
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27474

Torque Specs (that I even "bumped" last weekend)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248269

Recommended tools by me:
1) McPherson Strut Spring Compressor (unless you want to kill yourself with the front springs) BTW, as scary as it may look, you ~do not~ need to compress the rear springs. Just let rear control arm swing down and push down with your foot if you have to, then just pull the spring out. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...entifier=70135

2) Pneumatic Impact Wrench - turning the nut onto the front piston rods is tough and a reason for a lot of complaints of "my suspension makes a rattling noise after replacing my springs, WTF?". The reason is obviously because there is no way to prevent the piston rod from spinning. Note: KW instructions say to never use an impact wrench, take my advice FWIW. Also FIY, KW mentions (at least in my KW V3 instructions; can't imagine it being different for KW V2) that the torque for this nut is 44 ft-lb.

See my garage pictures too, that may help. Finally, read your KW instructions *carefully*. For example you use the existing OEM top rubber spring perch up front, but use the KW bump stops front and rear. Also, if you want, cut out a square or circle in the trunk liner for making adjusting rear rebound easier, but you don't have to. You won't have to take off the whole liner again, you can adjust this by going through the rear seats. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239019

A few common pitfalls: Make sure you put the washers that go on top of the front spring perches ~in correctly~. (One washer will have a "black ring" on one side and is filleted: This side faces the bearing, if I remember correctly.) When you finally take off the front piston rod nut, and ~if you didn't compress the springs enough~, the last bit of spring compression may "pop" all that stuff off the whole assembly abruptly. (Um yeah, safety goggles may, you know, be a good idea to wear about now.) If this happens, you'll wonder how to put it all together again because you'll be picking washers, the nut, and maybe even the perch off the floor. (Ask me how I know this.) You should be able to tell by corrosion, etc. how to put it all together again. If you assemble it correctly, it ~will~ spin very freely. I also recommend you relube the bearings in there. Be nice to your BMW ball bearings.

Cheers.

lpphreakx06 · 03-05-2011, 04:48 PM

+1, nice mini-write up

IN54NITY · 03-05-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpphreakx06

+1, nice mini-write up

Thanks.

remmib · 03-07-2011, 01:39 PM

Great write up, aleckzandr.

arc1880 · 03-07-2011, 04:16 PM

Sorry to thread jack, but is it necessary to remove the front coil overs and struts just to adjust the height? I recently contacted a local shop just to get an estimate and they mentioned that the reason for the cost was because they would need to take off the front struts and coil overs. I have a 2007 335i (e92).

IN54NITY · 03-07-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arc1880

Sorry to thread jack, but is it necessary to remove the front coil overs and struts just to adjust the height? I recently contacted a local shop just to get an estimate and they mentioned that the reason for the cost was because they would need to take off the front struts and coil overs. I have a 2007 335i (e92).

For KW coilovers, or even most coilovers? Absolutely not. One only needs to take the wheel off and adjust (twist) the spring perch by turning it on the (threaded) strut body. In the case of KWs they provide a special wrench to turn the (purple) spring perch. In the rear it's the same thing, just turn the (purple) perch/collar on the threaded adjuster body (black unit in the "Rear" photo below).
Front:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90gar...suspension.jpg

Rear:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90gar...suspension.jpg

DisGuy · 03-20-2011, 04:01 AM

what about the 2 jam nuts that come with the rear struts on the kw2? did you guys use it?

IN54NITY · 03-20-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisGuy

what about the 2 jam nuts that come with the rear struts on the kw2? did you guys use it?

IIRC, I think I used the nuts that were on the OEM strut piston. I'll check ....

DisGuy · 03-20-2011, 01:24 PM

thx

DJKhan85 · 03-20-2011, 01:36 PM

If your budget allows, do yourself a favor and order all the bmw parts required to complete the kw install ahead of time. All of the parts will run you about 300 bucks from tischer. I had pre-assembled as much of the KW with the new parts as I possibly could before install day. This way I have a complete set of KWs ready to mount as well as a complete set of the original suspension in case I need to switch back.

lpphreakx06 · 03-20-2011, 08:08 PM

That's a really good idea if you have the cash. It will you save you a ton of time.

DisGuy · 03-21-2011, 10:50 AM

what extra parts do i need? i finished installing the rears and i didnt need anything else but what already came with the KW2. now you got me confused.

DJKhan85 · 03-21-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisGuy

what extra parts do i need? i finished installing the rears and i didnt need anything else but what already came with the KW2. now you got me confused.

The front install requires you to use your OEM BMW parts. So you have to take apart the original top spring perch.

DisGuy · 03-21-2011, 06:48 PM

i used some of the oem parts on the rear cause im pretty sure you have too. i didnt see any other way. when u say i need oem parts to put the kw2 on do you mean i need to buy extra parts or reuse some of the oem parts on the front and rear struts n springs?

acdHQK713K · 03-25-2011, 02:29 PM

What are the torque specs for the bottom strut pinch bolt? Right in the middle of doing a swap and don't have the numbers on that.

Thanks!

acdHQK713K · 03-25-2011, 03:30 PM

anyone?

IN54NITY · 03-25-2011, 06:23 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248269

I'm not certain to which one you are referring, but if I'm correct, it's 60lbs (see link).

IN54NITY · 03-25-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisGuy

what about the 2 jam nuts that come with the rear struts on the kw2? did you guys use it?

BTW, I can't remember what came with KW, ~but~ what is on my car now is a single lock nut with teflon. IIRC, that's what came on the rear OEM dampener.

Edit: I finally gave myself access to the rebound setting/top of rear dampener by cutting 3 sides of a rectangle in the trunk liner, then bought 2 short 2mm allen wrenches and stuck 'em in there. They fit snugly so I am just going to leave them in permanently.

neoduffer · 03-26-2011, 03:54 AM

From the Bentley Manual, the torque for the strut pinch bolt is 34 ft-lbs for a M10 pinch bolt or 60 ft lbs for a M12 pinch bolt.

03-05-2011, 01:49 PM	#1
DisGuy Captain 68 Rep 866 Posts Drives: M Three Powah Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DmV iTrader: (4)	need help with my kw2 tried searching for a DIY kw2 coilovers for my 08 e92 but couldnt find anything, could someone point me in the right direction. if there isnt any DIY is there any helpful tips u guys have for me when i swap it out, anything difficult about the job?
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03-05-2011, 03:43 PM	#2
IN54NITY Major nutz 86 Rep 1,488 Posts Drives: '09 n54 e92xi, 6mt, kw v3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Colorado, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335xi [8.89]	DIY Section http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=172 DIY "Index" Sticky http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1721 (Search for "Suspension/Chassis" on this HTML page itself) "H&R Spring Install" (Guess what, KWs have springs too ) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15397 Read this thread carefully You only need to remove the ~outside~ lower control arm bolt (it's tightened to 121 ft-lb of torque) If you remove the inside one you will mess with the camber. Front Strut http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65204 Rear Strut http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27474 Torque Specs (that I even "bumped" last weekend) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248269 Recommended tools by me: 1) McPherson Strut Spring Compressor (unless you want to kill yourself with the front springs) BTW, as scary as it may look, you ~do not~ need to compress the rear springs. Just let rear control arm swing down and push down with your foot if you have to, then just pull the spring out. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...entifier=70135 2) Pneumatic Impact Wrench - turning the nut onto the front piston rods is tough and a reason for a lot of complaints of "my suspension makes a rattling noise after replacing my springs, WTF?". The reason is obviously because there is no way to prevent the piston rod from spinning. Note: KW instructions say to never use an impact wrench, take my advice FWIW. Also FIY, KW mentions (at least in my KW V3 instructions; can't imagine it being different for KW V2) that the torque for this nut is 44 ft-lb. See my garage pictures too, that may help. Finally, read your KW instructions carefully. For example you use the existing OEM top rubber spring perch up front, but use the KW bump stops front and rear. Also, if you want, cut out a square or circle in the trunk liner for making adjusting rear rebound easier, but you don't have to. You won't have to take off the whole liner again, you can adjust this by going through the rear seats. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239019 A few common pitfalls: Make sure you put the washers that go on top of the front spring perches ~in correctly~. (One washer will have a "black ring" on one side and is filleted: This side faces the bearing, if I remember correctly.) When you finally take off the front piston rod nut, and ~if you didn't compress the springs enough~, the last bit of spring compression may "pop" all that stuff off the whole assembly abruptly. (Um yeah, safety goggles may, you know, be a good idea to wear about now.) If this happens, you'll wonder how to put it all together again because you'll be picking washers, the nut, and maybe even the perch off the floor. (Ask me how I know this.) You should be able to tell by corrosion, etc. how to put it all together again. If you assemble it correctly, it ~will~ spin very freely. I also recommend you relube the bearings in there. Be nice to your BMW ball bearings. Cheers. __________________ KWs - Vorshlags - APEX EC-7s - "My garage" has suspension install pictures. _____________________ Last edited by IN54NITY; 03-07-2011 at 11:41 AM..
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03-05-2011, 04:48 PM	#3
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 316 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	+1, nice mini-write up __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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03-07-2011, 01:39 PM	#5
remmib General 1569 Rep 29,202 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Great write up, aleckzandr. __________________ F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White \| HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 \| Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 \| KW V3 Coilover \| M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar \| 3DDesign Front Lip \| BMW M Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW M Performance Diffuser \| BMW M Performance Black Grills \| BMW M Performance Pedals \|
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03-07-2011, 04:16 PM	#6
arc1880 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 258 Posts Drives: '07 335i (e92) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	Sorry to thread jack, but is it necessary to remove the front coil overs and struts just to adjust the height? I recently contacted a local shop just to get an estimate and they mentioned that the reason for the cost was because they would need to take off the front struts and coil overs. I have a 2007 335i (e92).
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03-20-2011, 04:01 AM	#8
DisGuy Captain 68 Rep 866 Posts Drives: M Three Powah Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DmV iTrader: (4)	what about the 2 jam nuts that come with the rear struts on the kw2? did you guys use it?
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03-20-2011, 01:24 PM	#10
DisGuy Captain 68 Rep 866 Posts Drives: M Three Powah Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DmV iTrader: (4)	thx
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03-20-2011, 01:36 PM	#11
DJKhan85 Major 24 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: 2011 4dr 6mt Golf GTI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	If your budget allows, do yourself a favor and order all the bmw parts required to complete the kw install ahead of time. All of the parts will run you about 300 bucks from tischer. I had pre-assembled as much of the KW with the new parts as I possibly could before install day. This way I have a complete set of KWs ready to mount as well as a complete set of the original suspension in case I need to switch back. __________________ 2011 VW GTI 4dr-6mt-Sunroof-Nav-Xenons OLD: 08 335i AW/CR/Poplar 6mt-ZSP-ZPP-ZCW-iPod-iDrive-PDC-Style 230s w/FK 452-Dinan LSD
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03-20-2011, 08:08 PM	#12
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 316 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	That's a really good idea if you have the cash. It will you save you a ton of time. __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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03-21-2011, 10:50 AM	#13
DisGuy Captain 68 Rep 866 Posts Drives: M Three Powah Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DmV iTrader: (4)	what extra parts do i need? i finished installing the rears and i didnt need anything else but what already came with the KW2. now you got me confused.
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03-21-2011, 06:48 PM	#15
DisGuy Captain 68 Rep 866 Posts Drives: M Three Powah Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DmV iTrader: (4)	i used some of the oem parts on the rear cause im pretty sure you have too. i didnt see any other way. when u say i need oem parts to put the kw2 on do you mean i need to buy extra parts or reuse some of the oem parts on the front and rear struts n springs?
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03-25-2011, 02:29 PM	#16
acdHQK713K Major 231 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	What are the torque specs for the bottom strut pinch bolt? Right in the middle of doing a swap and don't have the numbers on that. Thanks!
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03-25-2011, 03:30 PM	#17
acdHQK713K Major 231 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	anyone?
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03-25-2011, 06:23 PM	#18
IN54NITY Major nutz 86 Rep 1,488 Posts Drives: '09 n54 e92xi, 6mt, kw v3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Colorado, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335xi [8.89]	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248269 I'm not certain to which one you are referring, but if I'm correct, it's 60lbs (see link). __________________ KWs - Vorshlags - APEX EC-7s - "My garage" has suspension install pictures. _____________________
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03-26-2011, 03:54 AM	#20
neoduffer Fast In, Slow Out 40 Rep 586 Posts Drives: 06 E90 330i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SoCal, SGV iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	From the Bentley Manual, the torque for the strut pinch bolt is 34 ft-lbs for a M10 pinch bolt or 60 ft lbs for a M12 pinch bolt. __________________ : Ken
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