Recently bought a 330s sti hatch and love everything about it apart from the suspension. Previous owner has fitted BC coilovers which are far too firm and are knocking really bad. They have only been on car 2k and cost a fortune. What is the first thing I should look at? I have no paperwork so really not sure how to adjust them. Is it a simple job as I want them softer also?

 

Take them off bin them and go back to standard

 

Banny is quite right. They may well have adjusters on the top of yours, you just wind them out to full soft and start from there, but they'll still clonk.

 

They literally clonk 24/7 even on smooth ground not just bumps, puts me in a bad mood just driving it at the moment. Got hold of previous owner and I'm buying originals off him for £150, what sort of job is it changing them over for a mechanic (labour time) and will it all need 4 wheel alignment doing again?

 

About two hours, and yes.

 

geometry is a must when changing to DIFFRENT struts I've just changed mine back to std much better for the normal roads

 

Mine don't clonk New springs are only about 50 quid a pair front and rear if you want a softer ride

 

I have BC coilovers on my spec d. they are awful and the ride is horrendous, its just to firm even at the softest setting. I didn't realise you could change the rings on them, if this is correct, I'm sure it may help.

 

Looks like I won't be buying bc coilovers for my hatch then

 

I got bc rm coilovers on mine which previous owner fitted and they handle terrible knock all the time smooth or bumpy roads and only a few thousand miles old!! Absolute garbage

 

Why don't you just get softer springs? There are a lot of companies that do springs to spec for 100£ in the Uk.

The hard is not the strut part, it's the spring.

 

when I replaced my 03 STI struts /prodrive lowering springs, summer before last with low mileage used BC's, the improvement was noticeable. The ride was much better supported all around and certainly no harsher. Even the wife approved!
Use has hardly been conventional, road, track.strip and tows our 23ft caravan, so the adjustability is very useful, even essential.
I now have a clonking on the nearside rear, it's coming from the upper part and only going over bumps/potholes.
I can't see anything obvious, all is as when I fitted it.
Is it now that what was popular and seen as good value a few years ago is showing it's true value and that you have to spend big to get something all singing/dancing?
Trev

has anyone ever contacted BC regarding these issues?

 

Just my 2p...


Have had bc's on my hawk for around 7 years now. Yes they knock about in **** road surface but fine on smooth roads.
The only thing I notice is creaking from the fronts until I've been out for a while and warned them up.

The adjusters seized last year but baffled be as they loosened back up with out no explanation a couple of months ago.

 

I've contacted BC regarding the knocking on my car. I also mentioned the views on here.
the email below came from Apex Performance Parts.

quote: We have had a few complaints from Subaru's but to be honest most of the time it is due to the Pre Load setting being done incorrectly. It should be 3-5mm. It is quite rare that it is due to something else but if you're Pre Load is correct when you have checked it and the knocking continues then let us know and we will help you. un-quote

I was certain I did things as per instruction sheet but will re-check it now.
Trev

 

This is helpful. Let us know how you get on.

 

Iv had a couple of sets of BC's now and never had any knocking from them and had them on for a while aswell

 

I wouldn't pi$$ on BC coilovers....Utter $hite!

 

I finally got around to checking the pre-load setting as above. I found it was 6mm, I've re-set it down to 3mm and it hasn't made any difference.
I tried a harder damping, it was 8 clicks soft, up to 18 clicks were the knocking is much less. I'll speak to Apex and see what they suggest, this is no fun though.
Trev

 

Don't waste your time withis apex. They are bloody useless

 

Yes they are! Bren basically signed up as a trader, flogged loads of Bc coilovers and Ksport brakes and was never seen again!

 

thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

 

They will try and fob you off, if you need spares they will try and flog it at 15 time the going rate, and expect 12 weeks delivery to be okay.

About as much ****ing use as rs Matt on a drag strip.....!!!!

 

I found them pretty useless too! They told me to check top nut and preload which I'd already told them I've checked more than once only to be told it's just the way they are with solid top mounts, load of bull cause they never used to constantly knock.
Fitted some pedders now and more than happy

 

At least you didn't need spares.

Spares for my k sports would have cost more than a whole new set....

 

Slightly off topic, but do you know if they do Pedders for a widetrack blob 5x114?

 

they at Apex are focused on my top mounts, which are hard rubber. Were yours the metal rears as in the fronts?
thanks
Trev

 

as above the focus was on the hard rubber tops which he is suggesting may have become slightly perished. Had the tops been metal it may have occurred to him that they might be slightly rusty.
I haven't lost the will to live yet but if I carried on with that lot, I most certainly would!!
Trev

 

If you mean pillowball top mounts, they can knock and bang.....but shouldnt for a while if units are new. Rubber mounts shouldn't make any noise unless severely perished.
My rear coilovers are knocking on my car (they're not BC) and the units aren't very old. Initially I highly suspect it could be a spring preload issue.

 

I've heard nothing but bad things about bc coilovers yet they seem to be the most commonly used!! Is it because they are cheap?

 

they're just your average budget spec coilover kit. BC have just done well to flood the market and cater for a lot of cars. For the money they cost, they're pretty good.....
The same as any other kit in that price range really (£500-800?). But you can really see the flaws when you compare them to an expensive kit - Ohlins etc. Saying that though, that goes for most things doesn't it - you get what you pay for.