Rebuilding ST/ KW Coilovers, aka, where the hell can I find new cartridges.

[J.Owen]

In the past I have been able to rebuild my KW V1 and V2 shocks as they used a cartridge insert that could be removed from the threaded shock body and a new one installed. More recently I reached out to KW North America to see if I could order new cartridges on my ST's and was informed that they do not sell the cartridges and I would need to send in my coils for them to rebuild on location in California.

This is annoying for two reasons...

1. I now have to pay shipping for the whole shock in two directions from PA to CA.
2. This is my daily and I would either need to re-install my sport suspension or take the car off the road while i wait for the rebuild. Including shipping time, this could be a couple of weeks.

So my question to everyone is ... has anyone on here had luck ordering replacement cartridges -or- have a spare set of KW/ST's sitting around they are willing to pull apart to start measuring the cartridge?

pic for the hell of it.

[your daddy]

can i suggest bilstien pss9 ;)

[aluthman]

In the past I have been able to rebuild my KW V1 and V2 shocks as they used a cartridge insert that could be removed from the threaded shock body and a new one installed. More recently I reached out to KW North America to see if I could order new cartridges on my ST's and was informed that they do not sell the cartridges and I would need to send in my coils for them to rebuild on location in California.

This is annoying for two reasons...

1. I now have to pay shipping for the whole shock in two directions from PA to CA.
2. This is my daily and I would either need to re-install my sport suspension or take the car off the road while i wait for the rebuild. Including shipping time, this could be a couple of weeks.

So my question to everyone is ... has anyone on here had luck ordering replacement cartridges -or- have a spare set of KW/ST's sitting around they are willing to pull apart to start measuring the cartridge?

pic for the hell of it.

With as cheap as the STs are, why not just buy a new set and swap the shocks. Then you can send the old ones in for rebuild and sell them when they get back.

[J.Owen]

can i suggest bilstien pss9 ;)

I actually have a set of PSS9's sitting at bilstein right now. After waiting nearly a month for them to evaluate the shocks, they want $1100 for a rebuild and another three weeks. Figured I would explore my options here.

With as cheap as the STs are, why not just buy a new set and swap the shocks. Then you can send the old ones in for rebuild and sell them when they get back.

This would be the next step. I just figured if I could order new cartridges, it would save the hassle of ordering and shipping a new set, plus the cost of shipping the old shocks back and forth, plus the loss on the rebuilds.

On top of that, I can order v2 cartridges as they will technically fit the threaded body.

[chris@fifteen52]

Lmk if you want another set of STs.

[rongeur]

I purchased the ST bassd on the fact that they are essentially V1s in a galvanized body instead of inox. This being true, shouldnt the v1 cartridge be drop in?

[J.Owen]

I purchased the ST bassd on the fact that they are essentially V1s in a galvanized body instead of inox. This being true, shouldnt the v1 cartridge be drop in?

Yes, the V2 cartridge should drop in as well. Only the v3's are not cartridge based. The issue is KW will not sell me the cartridge, rather they want me to send in the shocks for them to replace the cartridge.

[Adub-Drew]

IMHO, it's not worth rebuilding ST/V1's. I have them on my car and consider them a "disposable" suspension. When they go I'll probably buy something with more stiffness, or just say f it and go bagged..