Thoughts / advice on installing KW V1's? - Suspension Forum - Peugeot 306 GTi-6 & Rallye Owners Club

displaying posts 1 to 25 of 26

Pages (2): [1] 2

Author

Subject: Thoughts / advice on installing KW V1's?

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #1

Is this a job that can be done myself, or is it one of those jobs that ends up needing so many different tools and new bits and pieces that it's best to get a garage to do it?

These are the ones I'm thinking of going for, but having never replaced suspension before I'm a little hesitant. I've read a million threads talking of topmounts, changing bolts and such things. Is it a bolt-off, bolt-on jobby or just stay away and leave it to the professionals?

Cheers
O.

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 26th May 2010 at 20:43

Profile

stu

Seasoned Pro

Location: Milton Keynes

Registered: 22 Aug 2006

Posts: 5,525

Status: Offline

Post #2

I felt the same as you when I first wanted to sort out my suspension. In the end I just thought 'what's the worst that could happen?' and went for it and I'm glad I did.

Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I didn't need any special tools as such. Just as long as you take your time and use a bit of common sense you should be fine.

The hardest bit will probably be removing the strut base pinch bolts unless they have been removed before. Just use a BFOH and they will come out eventually. Thumbs up

Also, be careful when pulling on the passenger side hub, as the driveshaft loves to pop out of the gearbox if you're a bit too enthusiastic with it. Although it's not the end of the world if it comes out, it's just extra hassle and makes a nice mess on the driveway.

Posted 26th May 2010 at 20:51

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #3

Excellent, more enthusiastic replies like this please. I'm sure as hell no mechanic but I'm more than capable of Pulling a Mechano on it and just unbolting everything in site.

I hear fitment is the opposite of dismantling Wink

Might give it a bash then. Same goes for the rear torsion beam adjustment for height I assume? I've read a couple of howto's and I'm all up for ruining my car trying to be clever.

O.

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 26th May 2010 at 21:00

Profile

stu

Seasoned Pro

Location: Milton Keynes

Registered: 22 Aug 2006

Posts: 5,525

Status: Offline

Post #4

I didn't have any experience of that sort of thing before I did mine and like I say I'm glad I went for it in the end. The only mishaps I had were the driveshaft making a bid for freedom and missing out a couple of washers when I put it all back together, they were easily sorted though.

I've yet to have a go at doing the torsion beam, but I'm sure it can't be that hard at the end of the day.

Posted 26th May 2010 at 21:06

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #5

That's what we like to hear, cheers muchly.

Anyone here lowered the rear themselves? Snigger.

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 26th May 2010 at 21:25

Profile

daveyboy

aka Jim Davey

Location: Southampton

Registered: 01 Oct 2007

Posts: 8,648

Status: Offline

Post #6

stu wrote:

The pinch bolt does'nt have to come out to remove the strut, just pit a new nyloc nut on and it will be fine Smile

________________________________________

R H Davey Welding Supplies. I sell new and used welding equipment in the Hampshire area. I take on welding jobs in the evenings, ally casting repairs are one of my specialities but I can weld pretty much anything. PM me with your requirements.

Some of my services: (See my for sale threads)
Engine mount/chassis repair
Solid Beam Mounts BACK IN PRODUCTION
Harness bars

Posted 26th May 2010 at 21:25

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #7

You see this is the thing - I don't know what a pinch bolt is. I know what a strut is and what a nyloc is.

I'm sure all will become clear when I get my spanner out.

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 26th May 2010 at 21:27

Profile

sixygti2

Seasoned Pro

Location: Tunbridge Wells

Registered: 21 Apr 2007

Posts: 2,778

Status: Offline

Post #8

Pinch bolt is the one at the base of the strut at the back of the hub... I think...

________________________________________

Still watching you...

Posted 26th May 2010 at 21:34

Profile

stu

Seasoned Pro

Location: Milton Keynes

Registered: 22 Aug 2006

Posts: 5,525

Status: Offline

Post #9

daveyboy wrote:

The pinch bolt does'nt have to come out to remove the strut, just pit a new nyloc nut on and it will be fine Smile

I destroyed mine in frustration when I couldn't open the clamp up wide enough to remove the strut, so I had to replace mine in the end. Roll eyes

Posted 26th May 2010 at 21:56

Profile

mr swampy s16

**BAD SELLER**

Location: out and about

Registered: 22 Oct 2003

Posts: 10,550

Status: Offline

Post #10

When replacing the strut rub down the hub with some very fine sandpaper to remove any rust.
Then to the lower edges of the struts smear a small amount of copper grease to help them in and out next time if required

Posted 26th May 2010 at 22:21

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #11

That's a good shout, I'll be sure to give everything a good clean and polish whilst I'm there.

I've ordered up some new bolts from Swampy, just need to check with KW that they actually work with the GTI-6, their site doesn't mention it specifically...

O.

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 27th May 2010 at 13:53

Profile

adam b

Seasoned Pro

Location: The Nam

Registered: 24 Jan 2006

Posts: 12,828

Status: Offline

Post #12

The passenger side is generally harder than the drivers side on both front and rear - the arm on the front doesn't swing down so low out of the way due to a wierd casting on the subframe and the exhaust backbox gets in the way of the damper. You can use loads of extenders to do the rear damper bolt over the exhaust when its in situ.

You can also open up the hub pinch on the dampers by putting in a allen key the right size so it just fits and turning it slightly to open up the pinch. They can be a proper git to get the damper out.

________________________________________

Nothing to see here

Posted 27th May 2010 at 17:18

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #13

Cheers for the heads up Adam, I'll look forward to destroying my knuckles Wink

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 27th May 2010 at 17:37

Profile

khj100

Senior User

Location: York

Registered: 30 Mar 2003

Posts: 11,171

Status: Offline

Post #14

All the advice so far is good, and it's really not that big a deal. Lowering torsion bars will be the hardest job if it's never been apart.

If you get really stuck for either tools or expertise, drop Ash (thats his username) a PM. He's local to you in Chelmsford and has a huge amount of experience with 306s (including the one he currently races).

________________________________________

Trackday, trackday, trackday Hyper

Posted 27th May 2010 at 17:44

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #15

Oh reeeeeeealy?

I think this Ash fellow might be my new best friend. Does he do it as a job or hobby do you know?

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 27th May 2010 at 17:57

Profile

bennn

Seasoned Pro

Location: Shrewsbury

Registered: 05 Sep 2008

Posts: 2,705

Status: Offline

Post #16

owain wrote:

That's what we like to hear, cheers muchly.

Anyone here lowered the rear themselves? Snigger.

i did that back of mine, was easy apart from a seized drivers bar, main thing is to be carefull with the measurements, take your time and make sure you take note of what goes where

________________________________________

Cherry Red 306 HDI
Championship White Integra DC5 Type R

Posted 27th May 2010 at 18:27

Profile

khj100

Senior User

Location: York

Registered: 30 Mar 2003

Posts: 11,171

Status: Offline

Post #17

owain wrote:

Oh reeeeeeealy?

I think this Ash fellow might be my new best friend. Does he do it as a job or hobby do you know?

No, no, just a hobby. But he's a fantastic chap and I'm sure will offer advice if it's needed.

________________________________________

Trackday, trackday, trackday Hyper

Posted 27th May 2010 at 19:18

Profile

rikky 🦔

Location: cheshire

Registered: 28 Feb 2004

Posts: 26,793

Status: Offline

Post #18

@ landing ash a load of earache and demands for him to come out and fit someone's coilovers, in a nice way of course Laugh

________________________________________

306 rallye reproduction decals (full sets/individual decals) | 306 b-pillar textured vinyl weatherstrips
306 slam panel esso stickers | 306 yellow / orange / pension fund red side door badges
gti6 inlet manifold badges | 306 rear boot badges (p2/p3)
winner of Extraction of toys from prams with outstanding vigour award 2009 [source: gti6 owners club]

Posted 27th May 2010 at 19:22

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #19

I consider this a contractual agreement that he's now fitting them for me free of charge at no notice.

Someone let him know Wink

Poor bugger.

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 27th May 2010 at 19:24

Profile

rikky 🦔

Location: cheshire

Registered: 28 Feb 2004

Posts: 26,793

Status: Offline

Post #20

________________________________________

Posted 27th May 2010 at 19:29

Profile

smighall

Smeg-all

Location: b*tching and Whinging

Registered: 03 Mar 2005

Posts: 10,012

Status: Offline

Post #21

Echo all of the above. One tip missed off though, is once the pinch bolt is undone, put an 8mm sump plug key (like a square drive) rotate it 45 degrees with a spanner/ratchet and the hub will simple fall off the strut, makes it much easier putting it back together too.

And then just remember to fit the top mount bolts if you put a strutbrace on at the same time Wink

________________________________________

Seat Leon Cupra FR / 306 GTI6 / Breaking 205 GTI6 / Caterham 7 / Mercedes Sprinter 311CDI LWB

Sold: Fisher Fury - Laguna DCI Estate - P1 306 XSI - E30 BMW 325i Baur Convertible - Daihatsu Fourtack - Suzuki GSXR600 - 205 Rallye

Posted 27th May 2010 at 19:54

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #22

This is all making me very keen to get on with this, just need KW to get back to me about its suitability for the car so I can crack on.

Cheers again everyone.
O.

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 27th May 2010 at 19:56

Profile

dangerous dave

Seasoned Pro

Location: Bedford

Registered: 27 Apr 2004

Posts: 9,890

Status: Offline

Post #23

Ash is a lovely chap. You'll be wanting to tap him up for a rear anti roll bar too, it'll make the turn in sharper and the whole thing more resistant to understeer/much easier to spin!

I warn you, that rear beam is going to be a whole world of c*nt to get apart, though at least it's not been screwed around with before. Still, those torsion bars have had a good 13 years to bed themselves into place.

All the KV coilovers should be suitable, As far as I know the struts on a 306 are all the same

________________________________________

You didn't see anything. Right?

Posted 27th May 2010 at 21:10

Profile

owain

Seasoned Pro

Location: Essex

Registered: 20 May 2009

Posts: 9,185

Status: Offline

Post #24

Easier to spin you say? I'll get right on that Wink

Hopefully ordering up the suspension tomorrow.

________________________________________

Membership expiring soon, get in contact on our new little forum project.

Posted 27th May 2010 at 21:16

Profile

smighall

Smeg-all

Location: b*tching and Whinging

Registered: 03 Mar 2005

Posts: 10,012

Status: Offline

Post #25

Also not sure how many people go for the V1's for track use, lots of people use the V2's and have great results.

________________________________________

Posted 27th May 2010 at 21:22

Profile

Pages (2): [1] 2

All times are GMT. The time is now 06:05

Please Note: The views and opinions found herein are those of individuals, and not of The Peugeot 306 GTi-6 & Rallye Owners Club or any individuals involved.
No responsibility is taken or assumed for any comments or statements made on, or in relation to, this website. Please see our updated privacy policy.