K-Sport Coilovers Talk
Alright so earlier I decided to bump up the preload just a tad...and raise it just a tad....went out for a spin on the freeway and it rubs less...was wondering if I can just bump up the preload a little more and get away with it?
What exactly is the purpose of preload? I know it stiffens up the spring...but what are the advantages/disadvantages of more preload & less preload...thanks!
What exactly is the purpose of preload? I know it stiffens up the spring...but what are the advantages/disadvantages of more preload & less preload...thanks!
Originally Posted by steven88
Alright so earlier I decided to bump up the preload just a tad...and raise it just a tad....went out for a spin on the freeway and it rubs less...was wondering if I can just bump up the preload a little more and get away with it?
What exactly is the purpose of preload? I know it stiffens up the spring...but what are the advantages/disadvantages of more preload & less preload...thanks!
What exactly is the purpose of preload? I know it stiffens up the spring...but what are the advantages/disadvantages of more preload & less preload...thanks!
Originally Posted by Bluesbrekr
The decrease in rubbing is a result of your raising the height, not increasing the pre-load. Those 2 things are independent of each other. The KSport and D2 coilovers should not have much pre-load. If you prefer a stiffer ride, buy stiffer springs. If you want to reduce rubbing more, raise it a bit more.
What exactly is the purpose of preload? I know it stiffens up the spring...but what are the advantages/disadvantages of more preload & less preload...
Steven,
Have you cranked up the dampening to full stiff to see how well that controls the car?
I think preload is for track use. When you hit the track, since there are going to be less imperfections in the road, you can crank it up to make the car real right, and you can also make the weight distribution very neutral, by balancing out the weight of the driver....etc. But that's gona take some precise calcution to do.
Have you cranked up the dampening to full stiff to see how well that controls the car?
I think preload is for track use. When you hit the track, since there are going to be less imperfections in the road, you can crank it up to make the car real right, and you can also make the weight distribution very neutral, by balancing out the weight of the driver....etc. But that's gona take some precise calcution to do.
Originally Posted by NOZMaximus
Steven,
Have you cranked up the dampening to full stiff to see how well that controls the car?
I think preload is for track use. When you hit the track, since there are going to be less imperfections in the road, you can crank it up to make the car real right, and you can also make the weight distribution very neutral, by balancing out the weight of the driver....etc. But that's gona take some precise calcution to do.
Have you cranked up the dampening to full stiff to see how well that controls the car?
I think preload is for track use. When you hit the track, since there are going to be less imperfections in the road, you can crank it up to make the car real right, and you can also make the weight distribution very neutral, by balancing out the weight of the driver....etc. But that's gona take some precise calcution to do.
Preload adjustment, as mentioned, allows you to corner-weight the car to partially compensate for the effect of having some masses (like the driver) a little off to one side, which would hurt the handling: if one side ends up bearing more weight than the other, you can preload the springs on that side to even it out a little.
Adding preload pre-compresses the spring, which simulates having a stiffer spring. That will make the car sit higher at rest because it will hold up its own weight better, and it will lean less in corners because of the extra stiffness. That's why it will reduce rubbing.
The downside to adding preload to gain height is that you'll have to add a lot of preload to gain a little height, and all that extra stiffness might make your car skittish and too rough-riding. That's why I strongly agree that the best way to get more height is definitely to adjust the position of the bottom mount rather than to add preload.
Adding preload pre-compresses the spring, which simulates having a stiffer spring. That will make the car sit higher at rest because it will hold up its own weight better, and it will lean less in corners because of the extra stiffness. That's why it will reduce rubbing.
The downside to adding preload to gain height is that you'll have to add a lot of preload to gain a little height, and all that extra stiffness might make your car skittish and too rough-riding. That's why I strongly agree that the best way to get more height is definitely to adjust the position of the bottom mount rather than to add preload.
dood, thanks for the info on the preload... 
for those of you who are "slammed"...have you noticed that the bottom of the shock comes in very close proximity of the CV boot? Mine is damn close...I'm kind of affraid that during high speed acceleration, the boot might expand from extreme centrifugal force...and come into contact with the bottom of the shock...
for those of you who are "slammed"...have you noticed that the bottom of the shock comes in very close proximity of the CV boot? Mine is damn close...I'm kind of affraid that during high speed acceleration, the boot might expand from extreme centrifugal force...and come into contact with the bottom of the shock...
You've become K-sport owners personal encyclopedia of automotive suspension. 
Ok guys,
I've just about had it with this suspension and Ksport. Every time I fix a sound another pops up. I've got a front right strut leaking oil after only 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!! the front left strut sounds like it's a thousand years old. Creaking and cranking when I turn the wheel. I'm starting to think coilovers have no business on the road (at least Jersey roads) and should be limited to track applications. On top of all this, Ksport is suddenly hard to get a hold of and has forgotten how to type. No ones answers the phone and they aren't responing to my e-mails.
I've just about had it with this suspension and Ksport. Every time I fix a sound another pops up. I've got a front right strut leaking oil after only 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!! the front left strut sounds like it's a thousand years old. Creaking and cranking when I turn the wheel. I'm starting to think coilovers have no business on the road (at least Jersey roads) and should be limited to track applications. On top of all this, Ksport is suddenly hard to get a hold of and has forgotten how to type. No ones answers the phone and they aren't responing to my e-mails.
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 154
Max929,
Even Rolls Royce and Ferrari can produce a lemon and so can K-sport. Take a deep breath and try to give them the benefit of the doubt. There could be some very good reasons they haven't replied right away. Keep up with the emails and calls....Have you tried to get in touch with Jinsu? See what he has to say. Maybe he can get you a replacement set to swap yours out with? There are alot of people who are very satisfied with the K-sports for what they are. By the way, coil overs are notorious for being noisy, and temperamental. Don't forget these were not designed by factory suspension engineers to give a comfortable and compliant ride. They do belong more to the race car world than the street car world.....Another thing to keep in mind, the rougher the road you travel, the sooner you'll have to jack up the car check the tightness of all the lock rings. It's just a fact of life with coil overs.
Even Rolls Royce and Ferrari can produce a lemon and so can K-sport. Take a deep breath and try to give them the benefit of the doubt. There could be some very good reasons they haven't replied right away. Keep up with the emails and calls....Have you tried to get in touch with Jinsu? See what he has to say. Maybe he can get you a replacement set to swap yours out with? There are alot of people who are very satisfied with the K-sports for what they are. By the way, coil overs are notorious for being noisy, and temperamental. Don't forget these were not designed by factory suspension engineers to give a comfortable and compliant ride. They do belong more to the race car world than the street car world.....Another thing to keep in mind, the rougher the road you travel, the sooner you'll have to jack up the car check the tightness of all the lock rings. It's just a fact of life with coil overs.
I appreciate the compliments, guys. Happy to be of help where I can.
max929, keep hammering on Ksport. They are a small company, yes, and probably deserve to be cut some slack, but if you're dissatisfied with their product and it's clearly their fault, keep hammering them -- and keep us posted either way. I remember that when they were shipping me my new top mount, they had to have it made and shipped to them from Japan, so their resources are probably pretty limited. That's part of what you're getting into when you buy a cheap set of coilovers from a small, very new company.
Of course, the flip side is that customer service is VITAL to them if they want to grow, and it looks like they're really, really trying to do that... so they're very likely to help you eventually. Just stay on them.
Also keep in mind... It's not so much that coilovers have no business being on the road; it's that this set in particular isn't exactly the most thoroughly overbuilt suspension setup you can find. Yeah, it's great, and it works well, but never forget how much you didn't pay for them (i.e. $2k). The reason they're so cheap, I suspect, is that the only parts of the set that are designed specifically for each application are some of the mounting bits. From what I can tell, Ksport just mass produces tons of the same shock bodies, springs, collars, bushings, and camber plates, and just pairs them with different mounts for different cars.
That's not to say I don't appreciate them, mind you. I love mine, and clearly others do as well. It's probably one of the best products for the money that a Maxima owner can get. But they're not exactly Bilstein PSS9s (look those up sometime), and Tommy Boy is right... they're not exactly made for Jersey roads.
Of course, none of that is an excuse for a faulty product... if they're making noise after 6 months on Jersey roads, they'd probably be making noise after 9 or 10 months anywhere else (except a track).
So yes, keep hammering Ksport. But if this kind of problem bothers you so much, you might be better off with Tein Basics or a standard spring/strut setup. Be prepared to vote with your feet, and feel free to leave your honest review here. The problems you're having have been extremely rare so far, but if they start to happen more frequently it will be good to have a track record....
On that note, it might be good to start compiling a list of problems people have been having with their coilovers and seeing what percentage of owners had problems... Hmmm...
max929, keep hammering on Ksport. They are a small company, yes, and probably deserve to be cut some slack, but if you're dissatisfied with their product and it's clearly their fault, keep hammering them -- and keep us posted either way. I remember that when they were shipping me my new top mount, they had to have it made and shipped to them from Japan, so their resources are probably pretty limited. That's part of what you're getting into when you buy a cheap set of coilovers from a small, very new company.
Of course, the flip side is that customer service is VITAL to them if they want to grow, and it looks like they're really, really trying to do that... so they're very likely to help you eventually. Just stay on them.
Also keep in mind... It's not so much that coilovers have no business being on the road; it's that this set in particular isn't exactly the most thoroughly overbuilt suspension setup you can find. Yeah, it's great, and it works well, but never forget how much you didn't pay for them (i.e. $2k). The reason they're so cheap, I suspect, is that the only parts of the set that are designed specifically for each application are some of the mounting bits. From what I can tell, Ksport just mass produces tons of the same shock bodies, springs, collars, bushings, and camber plates, and just pairs them with different mounts for different cars.
That's not to say I don't appreciate them, mind you. I love mine, and clearly others do as well. It's probably one of the best products for the money that a Maxima owner can get. But they're not exactly Bilstein PSS9s (look those up sometime), and Tommy Boy is right... they're not exactly made for Jersey roads.
Of course, none of that is an excuse for a faulty product... if they're making noise after 6 months on Jersey roads, they'd probably be making noise after 9 or 10 months anywhere else (except a track).
So yes, keep hammering Ksport. But if this kind of problem bothers you so much, you might be better off with Tein Basics or a standard spring/strut setup. Be prepared to vote with your feet, and feel free to leave your honest review here. The problems you're having have been extremely rare so far, but if they start to happen more frequently it will be good to have a track record....
On that note, it might be good to start compiling a list of problems people have been having with their coilovers and seeing what percentage of owners had problems... Hmmm...
Well now I'm a little worried. Can anyone reassure me?
I was really considering these instead of getting an ecu.
I've been subscribed to the thread which is overwhelmingly long, and I just want to see if they are still reccommended (yes I know I want coilovers not combos).
Thanks.
Also, are they running out? I keep reading people asking if there are any left. I also don't know what spring "ratio" thing to get.
I was really considering these instead of getting an ecu.
I've been subscribed to the thread which is overwhelmingly long, and I just want to see if they are still reccommended (yes I know I want coilovers not combos).
Thanks.
Also, are they running out? I keep reading people asking if there are any left. I also don't know what spring "ratio" thing to get.
Well, you know I think you should save up for a 5-speed swap before you do anything else. 
But if you want coilovers, the Ksports should treat you well (especially because you're in Texas). I'd definitely recommend them over an ECU -- they will make a MUCH bigger difference in your car.
Honestly, even though Ksport is still a their track record so far is actually very good. Of all the people who have bought them, only 3 or 4 seem to have had significant problems with them that required warranty service, and two of those people have had their issues resolved pretty quickly.
D2 coilovers had a ton of problems when they first came out, but now they're totally fine -- a few people who have them have noise problems, but other than that they seem solid. JICs seem to have had slightly more problems than the Ksports and D2s, plus they're a ton more expensive so I guess that kills them. The only coilovers that seem to have fewer problems than the Ksports are the Tein Basics, which also ride smoother but are missing a few important features: they don't have dampening adjustability, they don't handle as well, and the lower you set them, the more it will wear down the shocks.
So, basically, it's down to D2 or Ksport. I'd recommend Ksport because their method of locking the height in place seems to be more secure if you use it right (the D2s depend on Allen keys, which might strip).
As far as spring rates, it depends on whether you want your handling to be 40 times better than stock or 60 times better than stock. Go with 9/6 (which is the default) for more handling, or 7/5 for a better ride.
But if you want coilovers, the Ksports should treat you well (especially because you're in Texas). I'd definitely recommend them over an ECU -- they will make a MUCH bigger difference in your car.Honestly, even though Ksport is still a their track record so far is actually very good. Of all the people who have bought them, only 3 or 4 seem to have had significant problems with them that required warranty service, and two of those people have had their issues resolved pretty quickly.
D2 coilovers had a ton of problems when they first came out, but now they're totally fine -- a few people who have them have noise problems, but other than that they seem solid. JICs seem to have had slightly more problems than the Ksports and D2s, plus they're a ton more expensive so I guess that kills them. The only coilovers that seem to have fewer problems than the Ksports are the Tein Basics, which also ride smoother but are missing a few important features: they don't have dampening adjustability, they don't handle as well, and the lower you set them, the more it will wear down the shocks.
So, basically, it's down to D2 or Ksport. I'd recommend Ksport because their method of locking the height in place seems to be more secure if you use it right (the D2s depend on Allen keys, which might strip).
As far as spring rates, it depends on whether you want your handling to be 40 times better than stock or 60 times better than stock.
Go with 9/6 (which is the default) for more handling, or 7/5 for a better ride.
Man, I don't want noise problems and No I'm not getting a 5 speed swap haha.
Well if they are identical then I'm asuming I could get a lot of help from this thread
So dood if you were in my position you'd get the d2's for 740 instead of the ksports for 840?
I'm about to drop this money real soon. Wooh! So sick of this wheel gap
Well if they are identical then I'm asuming I could get a lot of help from this thread
So dood if you were in my position you'd get the d2's for 740 instead of the ksports for 840?
I'm about to drop this money real soon. Wooh! So sick of this wheel gap
first of all where did you guys see the D2 sets selling for 740? if you can find the place that sells the price then i will see what i type of deal i can work with ksport. And we have plenty maxima kits in so they are not running out!!
Originally Posted by jinsu
first of all where did you guys see the D2 sets selling for 740? if you can find the place that sells the price then i will see what i type of deal i can work with ksport. And we have plenty maxima kits in so they are not running out!!
so i dont think there are d2's for 740...but ive got my mind set on ksports for the most part. should be finalizing shortly, unless your going to work out a deal, in which case i would wait lol. sorry, i dont mean to be a cheapskate.
wow! I just got back from an alignment....let me tell you...the difference is big...I never knew my specs were so off...I mean it pulled pretty damn straight....but right when they hooked it up to the computer...my toe and camber was way off on the passenger side...
Handling wise, it has become smoother...taking corners seems more planted and controlled....my best advice...for those of you planning to install these Ksports....GET AN ALIGNMENT! If you can care-less about your tires, still just get one for the handling increase!
Handling wise, it has become smoother...taking corners seems more planted and controlled....my best advice...for those of you planning to install these Ksports....GET AN ALIGNMENT! If you can care-less about your tires, still just get one for the handling increase!
These coilovers are coming off right after Christmas!!!!! What Number does everyone have for Ksport?????? The # I have is (480)829-8100. I have called it 38 times (yes, I counted) and left 12 messages, none of which have been returned.......when is the last time any of u guys actually talked to someone from Ksport????? Jinsu, I am getting VERY frustrated with this company, I understand they are small/new, but that is no excuse for doing business like this...If anyone has any contact info for Ksport please help.
Seems like there is a mis communication problem going on here. I dunno why you wasn't able to get in touch with ksport but i am talking to them right now as we speak. Could you pm me all your personal info and information regarding the issue so i can address with ksport direct. We will get this solved asap. Sorry for the frustration.
I just talked to Nick at ksport and he said he already contacted you to send the coilover back to ksport for replacement, he is sending another email to you right now hopefully this time you get it. Keep me updated
Hey, want to ask yu guys something since this talk about suspension, cuz i cant make new thread for some reason. I got a AGX KYB shocks and Tein S springs, running with 17" KYOWA w/ Falken tires, so i just want to ask wat the good setting for my car, hopefully someone here use the same suspension, sorry if this is a repost cuz am new here, so help me out, thanks.
I've kept up with this thread and it seems that there's no cure for the squeaking/noise. The D2s and KSports seem to have the same noise issue? I might have lost some translation in reading 16 pages of this.
Is there a definitive comparison between Ksports and the D2 coilover (throw in JICs for reference)?
Is there a definitive comparison between Ksports and the D2 coilover (throw in JICs for reference)?
Originally Posted by NisMoN00B
I've kept up with this thread and it seems that there's no cure for the squeaking/noise. The D2s and KSports seem to have the same noise issue? I might have lost some translation in reading 16 pages of this.
Yes, D2s and Ksports have the same noise issue. Kinda like how Ferrari and pasta are both Italian.
Originally Posted by NisMoN00B
Is there a definitive comparison between Ksports and the D2 coilover (throw in JICs for reference)?
Any time.
That does remind me though...
Everyone check out the first post. I made some additions.
We have some good info, but I think we should start gathering empirical data to go with it.
That does remind me though...
Everyone check out the first post. I made some additions.
We have some good info, but I think we should start gathering empirical data to go with it.