Has anyone used the Kilen springs?

I think I may be lower than other parts (bushings, ball joints, shock mounts)
combined will raise my front to get close to specs.

 

I used H&R springs with new bilsteins in my coupe with new Stock upper mounts and I'm at 14.5". When everything settles in I would suspect it will end up around 14.25 - 14.0" which visually should look great.

 

So had you experienced spring fatigue?

I will look into the H&R springs.
Well I am lower than you on the car I just bought and think it is likely that 1 1/2 of the 2 + inch drop I have is spring failure. I sit close to 13 1/2 and it looks good but just too low. I haven't been able to take it on any hard runs due to work needed when I bought it.

One thing I will add is I am also going to need to replace or do a repair on my oil pan. Right near the drain bolt the PO had scrapped bottom more than once, and I worry one more hit would spill oil. Whatever under car plastics it had are long gone.

Be careful and watch out for speed bumps. Thanks

 

Closing in on either KYB Europe or Kilen name brands to buy fresh springs. Anyone with experience using these?

 

iex, It sure sounds like the PO gave no respect for the car and I bet it's bottomed out more than once. A lot of wear and tear on springs.


Wayne

 

About .4" of the drop (from 15.25" to about 14.5") from my factory springs appears to be from compression of the upper shock mount/spring isolator (that will likely compress again over time). That leaves about .35" for spring sag, which seems about right for 19 years and 85K miles based on the factory springs in my other cars, and is actually less than I would expect.

I really liked the look of the sagging springs in front, which is why I went with the H&R's vs. a stock height spring.

The H&R's shouldn't sag as much as the factory springs over time and are much firmer/controlled at the reduced ride height.

 

Friends of mine who used KYB Europe on BMWs were very disappointed.

The cost of OEM springs from several of the forum sponsors is reasonable. I used Jagbits. If you are looking for proper ride height, this is the way to go. Made a ton of improvement to mine and stopped the tire wear.

 

Mine was sitting at 14.0" and tire wear was excessive.

Did you lower the rear as well? If not, the rear will sit too high and that gap between tire and fender you want to eliminate will get worse.

 

Keep this in mind.
It took 14, 15 or more years to get where it is now, will you still be worrying about it 14, 15, or more years from now? Go with OEM or the same height after market springs and I'll bet your happy..........
Just a thought.

Cheers

 

I also went with OEM springs (from SNG). They went on the car yesterday (with a bunch of other parts) and I can't stop smiling when I drive today. Big improvement.

Tom

 

I went to local jag repair shop to discuss options and he said highly doubtful if any spring sag, as he says just doesn't find failing springs. Well he was right.
After new shock top and bottom along with every other BJ and bushings the ride height is perfect.
Top shock mount clearly the biggest height increase as they were completely gone.