The KW damping and valve technology, 3-way
We offer optimally adjusted damping technology for each vehicle class and almost every application.
Damper Basics - The function of a shock absorber
A shock absorber brings the vibrations of the wheels and axles as well as the body to subside. So it is therefore technically correct called vibration damper. When driving over irregularities, the acting shock is absorbed by the suspension.
The spring wants give up the stored energy. In a short sequence of these repetitive processes, a vibration arises.
These movements are transmitted via the piston rod to the shock absorber. Here, the kinetic energy is converted to heat by hydraulic resistance in the shock absorber valve. The vibrations are reduced to an inaudible minimum.
- Rocking of the body at successive irregularities
- Gasp or strong immersion during acceleration or braking
- Jumping wheels
- Swerving when braking
- Spinning in corners with a lacking tracking
The shock absorber used in a car are usually twin-tube dampers or as mono-tube dampers. At both damper types, a piston moves in an oil-filled cylinder. The piston forwards the oil through valves, which oppose resistants to the oil flow with the help of drillings.
During rebound, the oil flows from the outer tube back into the inner tube. In addition to the channels in the bottom valve, the oil also has to flow through the rebound valve located at the piston rod, to get into the piston housing.
The functioning of a KW twin-tube shock absorber
When a car deflects when driving, the oil which is lightly under pressure, will be displaced by the immersion of the piston rod. It flows into the outer tube through the botton valve (compression valve) which controlls the flow speed.
The damper of a suspension kit converts the kinetic energy of the suspension spring into heat energy and passes it into the environment. When driving a curve, the KW coilover kit works in the curve inside of the vehicle in rebound and in the curve outside in compression damping.
Rebound adjustment
Individually adjustable rebound damping
Rebound adjustment by an allen key
Rebound adjustment by plugged on adjustment wheel at enogh space
Rebound adjustment by fix integrated adjustment wheel
16 Clicks - Best perfomance and easy adjustment
The vehicle specific KW damper adjustment which is estimated by car enthusiasts world wide, can be further adjusted at KW coilovers Variant 2 "inox-line" or at suspension kits from the KW Street Comfort series with 16 clicks.
By the rebound adjustment you consider the driving dynamic modifications such as the change of the complete tyre set or assembly of winter tyres.
Depending on your own demand, the damping characteristic of the weather-resistant KW coilovers Variant 2 "inox-line" can be adjusted tighter or more comfortable. The suspension kit is suitable for all sporty drivers who want to get more driving pleasure than just a continuous lowering.
Technique of adjustable rebound damping in detail
Oil flow during "hard" rebound stroke
Bypass orifice with closed adjuster position. Degressive damping characteristic and the maximum possible rebound damping is achieved. Damping is determined by the setup specific preload of the valve spring at the piston.
The result:
A firm but not a hard rebound stroke adjustment avoids rolling- and pitching motions.
Oil flow during "soft" rebound stroke
Bypass orifice with open adjuster position. Progressive damping characteristic and the minimum possible rebound damping is achieved. The bypass oil volume (black arrows) is not available anymore for the spring preloaded valve at the piston and the damping forces are therefore reduced.
The result:
A lower rebound damping increases the driving comfort.
Graphic representation of the relation from damper speed (m/s) to damping force (N) when adjusting the rebound damping.
Compression adjustment
High-speed and low-speed range
Separate and independent damping force adjustment for rebound and compression damping in low-speed and high-speed
Individual damping force adjustment with color anodized adjustment wheels - with significantly noticeable clicks
Basic setup from factory with adjustment range in + / - direction
Graphic representation of the relation from damper speed (m/s) to damping force (N) when adjusting the compression damping in low-speed range.
Graphic representation of the relation from damper speed (m/s) to damping force (N) when adjusting the compression damping in high-speed range.
Compression adjustment with 6 clicks in low-speed and 14 precise clicks high-speed range
So that you are not only at the front on the Nordschleife, the KW Clubsport 3-way coilovers are the consequent further development of our appreciated and world wide from "track-performance-oriented" drivers used KW Clubsport 2-way coilovers.
Racing technology for everyone
The vehicle specific basic setup of the KW Clubsport 3-way coilover kit which was developed in numerous tests and runs on the Nordschleife and the KW 7-post rig, can be further adjusted with the click adjustment for your wheel loads, vehicle weight and the changed body stiffness as for example by a bolted cage, welded safety cage or strut bars. Similar to the in international motor sports used KW Competition racing suspensions, the KW Clubsport 3-way coilovers allow to adjust the compression damping separately in low-speed and high-speed range.
Sport or even more sport - it is your decsion
The click adjustment of the patented KW two-valve control occurs directly at the reservoir. At the purple adjustment wheel you can manually vary the vehicle specific low-speed compression damping of the basic setup determined by KW test engineers with six precise clicks. With the golden adjustment wheel which is placed below, you can individually adjust the high-speed compression damping with 14 precise clicks besides to the recommended basic setup. The low-speed range of the compression damping affect at low piston rod speeds (max. 0,2 m/sec) the strength of the damping during compression. The high-speed compression damping affects all faster speeds of the damper piston rod.
Especially at different and uneven asphalt surfaces such as on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, while driving over curbs and after jumps, the the piston rod immerses faster. The KW Clubsport 3-way coilovers offer you as an active sports car driver the possibility to exactly decide yourself, at which low-speed compression adjustment the high-speed damping shall get active.
Separate and independent damping force adjustment for
the rebound and compression in low-speed and high-speed
Basic setup from factory with adjustment range in +/- direction
Rebound damping: comfortable setting with 16 precise clicks
Low-speed compression damping: with 6 precise clicks
High-speed compression damping: with 14 precise clicks
KW piston rod guiding and sealing package.
Our modular sealing system exceeds OEM standards. It can be opened easily and allows customized adjustments of the valve technology or rod / piston stroke by an aluminium nut.
1. Nut out of high tensile aluminium
2. Self-lubricated special NBR sealing
3. Clamping sleeve
4. O-ring made of temperature-resistant viton
5. Guide bushing with bleed hole
6. Special coated DU plain bearing
7. Small increment rebound spacers
