Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
Hi guys, kinda confused here so thought I'd ask. I put rear coilovers on my polo today, FK ones. And ever since the back end has been really jumpy and twitchy. And even slid out at one point when I was going 25/30 round a corner. Wasn't fast at all for the corner. What could cause this? I know the tyres aren't the best but never had the problem before. Any ideas?
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Benmeister
- Getting There!
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 2:10 pm
- Location: Nottinghamshire. Drives 9N GT & Audi A4 B6 Tdi
Re: Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
I'd try getting some new tyres mate.
It could be because there is less give in the suspension now you have fitted the coilovers so it's pushing the tyres harder.
It could be because there is less give in the suspension now you have fitted the coilovers so it's pushing the tyres harder.
Re: Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
I would 'guess' that the coils are set to too hard a setting that they cannot compress when hitting a bump resulting in the rear end to bounce over bumps rather than 'absorb' them.
Can you 'bounce' the rear end, or is it solid?, if its solid then thats your problem.
Can you 'bounce' the rear end, or is it solid?, if its solid then thats your problem.
Re: Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
There is still a bit of give in the rear when sitting in the boot for example.. They are pretty cheap coilovers though. Could be the problem? Now I have a left side knock and also and abs light!! Maybe these coilovers were such a good idea haha
Re: Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
Knocking noise sorted. Loose drop link. Abs light comes on and goes off when it wants. Confusing
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fonzooorooo
- Bronze Member
- Posts: 178
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2011 4:28 pm
Re: Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
I've no personal experience of cheap coilies on polos, but plenty on other cars. I've never known them cause bad handling. So... a couple of thoughts:
The act of fitting coilovers puts more load on other components in the suspension - bushes, top mounts and tyres. ... So you could be simply highlighting a problem elsewhere.
Tell us about your tyres: Brand, size, age. ... The subject's enough to give you nightmares - My mate's had ridiculous (quick) wear and "slidey" handling with Michelins on his B4 passat, but I've had excellent grip and wear from Goodyear Efficient grip on the (standard) 9n, and am loving the grip of Uniroyal Rainsports on both my B4 passat and mk2 GTI. (better than Pirelli P6000s we have on the mk1 cabrio!)
Tracking/wheel alignment. Check it. Get local recommendations for a place that's good. Ask people when they went, and what their tyre wear's been like afterwards. There're a LOT of garages that can't do it right! Bear in mind that back axles can (and do!) get bent, (usually sliding in the snow/ice and whacking it round a curb) so you want all 4 wheels checked(!)
Check a (rear) shock isn't leaking. I assume your coilovers were brand new? Even if they were, a manufacturing issue could let one leak. While you're checking that, just double-check the part numbers are the same on both sides.
If everything's right, and you can't find anything, take a note of the ride height, raise it up an inch or 2, and see what happens.
Hopefully, 1 of those'll get you a result on the handling, and then move on to the ABS!
The act of fitting coilovers puts more load on other components in the suspension - bushes, top mounts and tyres. ... So you could be simply highlighting a problem elsewhere.
Tell us about your tyres: Brand, size, age. ... The subject's enough to give you nightmares - My mate's had ridiculous (quick) wear and "slidey" handling with Michelins on his B4 passat, but I've had excellent grip and wear from Goodyear Efficient grip on the (standard) 9n, and am loving the grip of Uniroyal Rainsports on both my B4 passat and mk2 GTI. (better than Pirelli P6000s we have on the mk1 cabrio!)
Tracking/wheel alignment. Check it. Get local recommendations for a place that's good. Ask people when they went, and what their tyre wear's been like afterwards. There're a LOT of garages that can't do it right! Bear in mind that back axles can (and do!) get bent, (usually sliding in the snow/ice and whacking it round a curb) so you want all 4 wheels checked(!)
Check a (rear) shock isn't leaking. I assume your coilovers were brand new? Even if they were, a manufacturing issue could let one leak. While you're checking that, just double-check the part numbers are the same on both sides.
If everything's right, and you can't find anything, take a note of the ride height, raise it up an inch or 2, and see what happens.
Hopefully, 1 of those'll get you a result on the handling, and then move on to the ABS!
Re: Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
Thanks for the detailed reply!!
To be honest I think it's been a mixture of bad tyres/sloppy condition. The tyres on the rear are really cheap and were terrible on the front, even in damp conditions. I have brand new ones waiting to go on! I've checked the shocks and there's no leakage. Also the topmounts seem solid too. But like you suggested, I measure the right hide and one side seems to be sitting about and inch higher than the other.. Even though they are at exactly the same setting!? This could be the problem? And what would actually cause this? Even more confused than I was before now haha!
To be honest I think it's been a mixture of bad tyres/sloppy condition. The tyres on the rear are really cheap and were terrible on the front, even in damp conditions. I have brand new ones waiting to go on! I've checked the shocks and there's no leakage. Also the topmounts seem solid too. But like you suggested, I measure the right hide and one side seems to be sitting about and inch higher than the other.. Even though they are at exactly the same setting!? This could be the problem? And what would actually cause this? Even more confused than I was before now haha!
Re: Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
Any more insight on this? Just went sideways on a rather slow corner again
Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
Just go with it you'll be a drift god on no time 
Re: Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
It was the tyres haha. Did have a good bit of fun before they got changed though. Wasn't so bad when I was expecting it!
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Mr-2-Fingers
- New
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2012 5:18 pm
Twitchy back end after installing coilovers.
I've recently had a problem with my ABS too, it started out just coming on and off for a couple of weeks then it got progressively worse. To cut a long story short at one point I had; ABS, power steering, handbrake lights all on and flashing.
Also because the ABS light was on the speedo kept dropping and not clocking mileage and the last detail was anytime you turned right the fuel gauge would drop and that light would flash and beep.
After taking it to my local VAG specialist he managed to source the problem to a corroded wire in the loom, 2 days and £200 lighter the problem was fixed.
That was more long winded than I expected it to be but just of a heads up on worse case.
Also because the ABS light was on the speedo kept dropping and not clocking mileage and the last detail was anytime you turned right the fuel gauge would drop and that light would flash and beep.
After taking it to my local VAG specialist he managed to source the problem to a corroded wire in the loom, 2 days and £200 lighter the problem was fixed.
That was more long winded than I expected it to be but just of a heads up on worse case.