Coilovers adjustment

[djwilk]

Hi,
I have been thinking about this for a while now. I have had HSD coilovers on the R8 for about two years now. It had come off another car already preset. One thing that I dislike about it is that it feels a bit nervous in bends at 120mph +. Obviously done in Germany when challenged by the latest RS6. Ok, I know this will never be as quick as that, but from the handling point of view that car was glued to the road and so confident. I had to back off a touch as the road surface was not particularly "compatible" with the handling of my car. I am taking about a looong LHS bend (or RHS too) when travelled at a considerable speed. In straight, it was not too bad and I somewhat managed to stay behind, although he was pulling away a tad.

As far as I am aware and it has been tested, confirmed, repaired, the suspension itself with all of the other components like bushes, ARBs, top mounts are all in tact. I wonder if it could be down to the settings of the actual suspension and its rebound rate? (have I got anything like that there?).

Ultimately, could the suspension itself be worn? Or is it adjusted too harsh? Where would I start checking this?

[SturdyHSV]

It's also possible that you're just getting more information about what's going on than the Audi driver, and as such are picking up that the car is unsettled, whereas the entire point of the RS6 is to completely isolate you from the road and simply allow you to travel as fast as possible as easily as possible.

[djwilk]

I compeletely support your point and am sure this is the case. I have always said that driving these cars is like going to work. It takes some effort, what I am trying to say. Still, probably main reason I have had it for three and a half years.

[007 VXR]

My best guess is you have the wrong springs .

are they the originals that came with the HSDs ?

[ARAF]

Get the geometry set up correctly first - with a fast-road bias. Chances are, this hasn't been done since the suspension swap, so will be out of kilter - and check the tyre pressures with a good gauge.

If it doesn't feel planted then, that's the time for you to start messing with suspension settings - one at a time, noting the original settings, and how much each is changed by.

[djwilk]

Thanks for replies.

The springs are what the suspension was supplied with from new. The full wheel alignment was done by MF twice since the suspension got installed. The pressures are checked on a weekly basis.

I know it ought to be down to the adjustment, but how do I know which "thing" controls what, etc. Are there any instructions manuals I might be able to download for that reason?

[007 VXR]

djwilk said:

Thanks for replies.

The springs are what the suspension was supplied with from new. The full wheel alignment was done by MF twice since the suspension got installed. The pressures are checked on a weekly basis.

I know it ought to be down to the adjustment, but how do I know which "thing" controls what, etc. Are there any instructions manuals I might be able to download for that reason?

it will be the sprngs standard had ones are to hard, had this issue with mine.. Talk to roger at the fish..

[djwilk]

Would standard vxr8 springs be better for that reason then? Or, would there be much point buying just springs and not a better suspension setup? Of course, if it is not going to change things and the car is still going to feel nervous at higher speed then maybe no point. Not often do I go to pace with RS Audis in Deutschland.

[007 VXR]

djwilk said:

Would standard vxr8 springs be better for that reason then? Or, would there be much point buying just springs and not a better suspension setup? Of course, if it is not going to change things and the car is still going to feel nervous at higher speed then maybe no point. Not often do I go to pace with RS Audis in Deutschland.

roger had springs made for my Monaro on hsd coilovers , much better. Have a chat with him imho