New Droop Travel Spacers for AST's

[m3f_OahuMPower]

That doesn't solve the issue, which is the shock maxing out internally (full droop) under normal conditions due to a "higher-than-designed-for-ride-height".



Terry has made it very clear that ASTs are intended for LOW ride heights. As such, cars that are driven heavily on the street (moderate drop) might not be best suited for ASTs, unless of course the droop spacer completely mitigates the issue.

they are designed EXACTLY for the moderate drop.



The issue is that some of us run very TALL ride heights for wide rubber, and LOTS of suspension travel. THAT is what is causing the issue

[m3f_EricSMG]

That doesn't solve the issue, which is the shock maxing out internally (full droop) under normal conditions due to a "higher-than-designed-for-ride-height".

The issue is that some of us run very TALL ride heights for wide rubber, and LOTS of suspension travel. THAT is what is causing the issue

We've said the exact same thing



You're running them in a way they weren't designed to be run, hence the droop spacer!

[m3f_OahuMPower]

We've said the exact same thing


You're running them in a way they weren't designed to be run, hence the droop spacer!

correct....


"normal" people would run them with a moderate drop, and be exactly in the range of travel they should be.


You mentioned earlier in another post, that would cause an issue. I'm just clarifying that statement is not correct...

As such, cars that are driven heavily on the street (moderate drop) might not be best suited for ASTs....

[m3f_cracky]

Those were replaced before the next event [some were on the edge and not exactly just in the 'surface"]

good to hear!



oahu...

[m3f_SG_M3]

You're running them in a way they weren't designed to be run,

lol, its the end users fault....uh huh.

[m3f_Roland H]

lol, its the end users fault....uh huh.

Sounds familiar.

[m3f_SG_M3]

Sounds familiar.

They should start selling flywheels next!

[m3f_Roland H]

They should start selling flywheels next!

Heh, at least their customer service is reasonable.



Only had one issue with my setup (wasn't a design flaw though) and it was fixed within 72 hours of me calling them.



I have mixed feelings about all of this. I love my setup, but some of the 4100 kits don't seem to be as robust....

[m3f_OahuMPower]

lol, its the end users fault....uh huh.

Sounds familiar.

They should start selling flywheels next!

low blow, low blow



Not sure how u can compare those two companies, not even in the same solar system

[m3f_PurduinaM3]

Yeah, seriously?? AST stands behind their product, and help find solutions to any problems that may arise with their products. "Other companies" deny everything and anything and leave the customer to figure out the problems themselves.

[m3f_M^Cubed]

with the E36 AST setup - are you guys pre-loading them at all? Are the AST's designed to be preloaded or will that just cause them to ride the internals all the time? When I originally purchased my setup - I was told that AST's were NOT for huge drops and meant more for riding just under stock height for racing to gain travel.


Anyways - everything that could have been wrong with my setup was wrong. Bad packaging, incorrect spring rates, missing parts, parts installed on one shock not installed on another, bent brackets, poorly designed top hats, allen heads to lock on the threads?? wtf?? etc etc etc fail fail fail.


You'd think that if they designed this **** with a certain car in mind.. they would have the car at the shop and see that it just doesn't make sense and could lead to damage/failure. "oh.. it bolted on.. so it works right?"

[m3f_MPRESV]

with the E36 AST setup - are you guys pre-loading them at all? Are the AST's designed to be preloaded or will that just cause them to ride the internals all the time? When I originally purchased my setup - I was told that AST's were NOT for huge drops and meant more for riding just under stock height for racing to gain travel.


Anyways - everything that could have been wrong with my setup was wrong. Bad packaging, incorrect spring rates, missing parts, parts installed on one shock not installed on another, bent brackets, poorly designed top hats, allen heads to lock on the threads?? wtf?? etc etc etc fail fail fail.


You'd think that if they designed this **** with a certain car in mind.. they would have the car at the shop and see that it just doesn't make sense and could lead to damage/failure. "oh.. it bolted on.. so it works right?"

Well they do and have had these cars at the shop. Specifically my car which was owned by Hanchey. It has/is great except I've had a small amount of coil bind in the front. Hence getting a taller spring. It has slightly more travel without bottoming the shock. I will say the shock body is designed for LOW set-ups. If I dropped it all the way I'd just about be able to set the front lip on the pavement.


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[m3f_PurduinaM3]

Just because you can thread the spring perch all the way down doesn't mean that the shocks were designed for LOW setups; the threaded shock body has a dual purpose for the sway bar collars also, so keep that in mind. Just because the springs have the ability to go that low doesn't mean the damper will be in its optimum range; it would definitely be bottoming out at anywhere that low. Fact is, there's not a ton of shock travel with the E36 no matter what setup you run, and finding the sweet spot of the damper is key.

[m3f_M^Cubed]

Just because you can thread the spring perch all the way down doesn't mean that the shocks were designed for LOW setups; the threaded shock body has a dual purpose for the sway bar collars also, so keep that in mind. Just because the springs have the ability to go that low doesn't mean the damper will be in its optimum range; it would definitely be bottoming out at anywhere that low. Fact is, there's not a ton of shock travel with the E36 no matter what setup you run, and finding the sweet spot of the damper is key.

Exactly! This is also why AST is making a separate coilover setup specific to the E36 aimed specifically for riding low! The standard AST setup is NOT meant for dumped "stance" cars.



Asking AST for setup tips, they had no idea on that either. Its like they (AST USA) are just middle men for Vorshlag and AST Norway.

[m3f_EricSMG]

correct....



"normal" people would run them with a moderate drop, and be exactly in the range of travel they should be.



You mentioned earlier in another post, that would cause an issue. I'm just clarifying that statement is not correct...

Okay, fair enough. BUT - there is a thread on bf.com where Terry specifically states that the ASTs are meant for LOW ride heights, and should not be used at or anywhere near stock ride height. Just sayin'.

lol, its the end users fault....uh huh.

Now, now.... don't put words in my mouth; never said that. But on the other hand, running a coilover too high is no different than running it too low... something's gonna give eventually, whether it be the hardware of the chassis. Can't blame the C/O maker in that case, can you?



But I'm with you: the AST's should NOT be blowing seals when used near stock ride height unless specific instruction to avoid such a ride height has been given (which it clearly has not).