coilover "break in"

Keith_H1 · 11-09-2015, 02:07 AM

I've read and searched most of these posts trying to find this out without having to ask.......but what kind of break in period did you guys use to get your coilovers "settled" before your final alignment? The reason I ask is that my ST's won't be delivered until Thursday and we're installing them Friday. I've also ordered all new mounting hardware (top hats, washers, etc....) so I can pre-assemble them and have them ready to put in as soon as the stock ones come out......so nearly everything will be brand new.

The dilemma is....I'm leaving for Houston on the 21st and I don't know if a week is long enough for a break in period. The ECS video tutorial for coilover installation, in which they install these exact coilovers, says to give them a couple of weeks to break in....but I assume that's for "average" drivers who might only drive 200 to 300 miles a week. I can realistically put 400-500 (maybe more) miles on it in a week, if that's enough, and have the alignment done on the 20th. I just don't want to drive 900 miles at highway speeds and risk ruining something else (tires, bushings. etc...) along the way because the suspension was still settling and went out of alignment. I should also mention, I'm not going for a "slammed" look. judging by the advertised specs from ST, I'll probably be at or near the minimum drop these things are capable of. I'll likely be at 1.25-1.5" un the front and probably no more than 1" in the rear. I'm more interested in closing up the fender gap more than anything else and hope to be able to keep as much factory spec alignment as possible with maybe just a little more negative camber up front. Once everything is the way I want it I'll determine what size spacers I need. I have 19x8 +40 on the front and 19x9.5 +45 n the rear with 235/35's and 275/30's. There's already room for spacers as it is, but I'm going to wait and see how much room is after the drop.

Even if I go ahead and install them this week and do the alignment on the 20th, I'll probably have another alignment done after I get to Houston just to be sure everything is right. As I said, I can put several hundred miles on the car in a weeks time and even hit some low speed bumpy back roads if some of you more experienced guys think that's enough. If not I can just wait until I get back home.

Thanks in advance.....

Keith

elh0102 · 11-09-2015, 08:40 AM

I have installed coilover suspensions on two cars, and I noticed no "break in" period required. During the installation and setup process, the cars were driven some between weighing in the corner balancing process. Once the balancing was complete, the alignment was done, and I had no issues with alignment afterward. At that time, I was doing a fair amount of track weekends, so I had alignments performed more often than one would in street use, but I noticed no specific break in required after initial setup. I guess this might vary with the components and materials involved.

Keith_H1 · 11-09-2015, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elh0102

I have installed coilover suspensions on two cars, and I noticed no "break in" period required. During the installation and setup process, the cars were driven some between weighing in the corner balancing process. Once the balancing was complete, the alignment was done, and I had no issues with alignment afterward. At that time, I was doing a fair amount of track weekends, so I had alignments performed more often than one would in street use, but I noticed no specific break in required after initial setup. I guess this might vary with the components and materials involved.

Thanks for the info. I'm just a little bit psychotic... to put it mildly....when it comes to doing things right the first time and wanted advice from someone who's done this before. I thought two weeks sounded a little excessive for components that are supposed to stay exactly where you put them. Anyway...thanks again for the info.

2010MSPORT335i · 11-09-2015, 11:20 AM

I wouldnt worry too much on the break in period. Youre going to do more damage by driving without an alignment trying to break it in. It this bothers you a lot. Install them and get the car aligned, and then go back two weeks later and have it checked again.

mashimarho · 11-09-2015, 01:32 PM

I'm not sure if you're referring to the height settling period... If you are, it's usually only a couple/few days at most before you get it aligned.

Keith_H1 · 11-09-2015, 04:12 PM

I appreciate the replies. I think when we're done with the install, I'll cruise the bumpy city streets at low speed for a few miles, see if I can notice any obvious problems, drive back to the shop and do the alignment. Then, before I leave for Houston next weekend I'll put some miles on it, readjust the height if i need to, re-torque all of the fittings and do another alignment. By the time I get back I'll have another 3,000 miles on it and it'll be time for an oil change, so I can check it one last time and tweak it while it's on the rack.

11-09-2015, 02:07 AM	#1
Keith_H1 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2011 E91 328i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	coilover "break in" I've read and searched most of these posts trying to find this out without having to ask.......but what kind of break in period did you guys use to get your coilovers "settled" before your final alignment? The reason I ask is that my ST's won't be delivered until Thursday and we're installing them Friday. I've also ordered all new mounting hardware (top hats, washers, etc....) so I can pre-assemble them and have them ready to put in as soon as the stock ones come out......so nearly everything will be brand new. The dilemma is....I'm leaving for Houston on the 21st and I don't know if a week is long enough for a break in period. The ECS video tutorial for coilover installation, in which they install these exact coilovers, says to give them a couple of weeks to break in....but I assume that's for "average" drivers who might only drive 200 to 300 miles a week. I can realistically put 400-500 (maybe more) miles on it in a week, if that's enough, and have the alignment done on the 20th. I just don't want to drive 900 miles at highway speeds and risk ruining something else (tires, bushings. etc...) along the way because the suspension was still settling and went out of alignment. I should also mention, I'm not going for a "slammed" look. judging by the advertised specs from ST, I'll probably be at or near the minimum drop these things are capable of. I'll likely be at 1.25-1.5" un the front and probably no more than 1" in the rear. I'm more interested in closing up the fender gap more than anything else and hope to be able to keep as much factory spec alignment as possible with maybe just a little more negative camber up front. Once everything is the way I want it I'll determine what size spacers I need. I have 19x8 +40 on the front and 19x9.5 +45 n the rear with 235/35's and 275/30's. There's already room for spacers as it is, but I'm going to wait and see how much room is after the drop. Even if I go ahead and install them this week and do the alignment on the 20th, I'll probably have another alignment done after I get to Houston just to be sure everything is right. As I said, I can put several hundred miles on the car in a weeks time and even hit some low speed bumpy back roads if some of you more experienced guys think that's enough. If not I can just wait until I get back home. Thanks in advance..... Keith
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11-09-2015, 08:40 AM	#2
elh0102 Captain 15 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 2009 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have installed coilover suspensions on two cars, and I noticed no "break in" period required. During the installation and setup process, the cars were driven some between weighing in the corner balancing process. Once the balancing was complete, the alignment was done, and I had no issues with alignment afterward. At that time, I was doing a fair amount of track weekends, so I had alignments performed more often than one would in street use, but I noticed no specific break in required after initial setup. I guess this might vary with the components and materials involved.
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11-09-2015, 11:20 AM	#4
2010MSPORT335i Captain 95 Rep 951 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: . iTrader: (7) Garage List 2010 E92 335i 6MT [0.00]	I wouldnt worry too much on the break in period. Youre going to do more damage by driving without an alignment trying to break it in. It this bothers you a lot. Install them and get the car aligned, and then go back two weeks later and have it checked again. __________________
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11-09-2015, 01:32 PM	#5
mashimarho BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2144 Rep 13,877 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & F80 M3 & G82 M4 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lynnwood, WA iTrader: (45) Garage List 2021 BMW G82 M4 [0.00] 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW F80 M3 [0.00] 2012 BMW 335i xDrive [9.78]	I'm not sure if you're referring to the height settling period... If you are, it's usually only a couple/few days at most before you get it aligned. __________________ Mashimarho.com /// Instagram /// Facebook /// Youtube /// sales@mashimarho.com /// (425) 582-7939
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11-09-2015, 04:12 PM	#6
Keith_H1 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2011 E91 328i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	I appreciate the replies. I think when we're done with the install, I'll cruise the bumpy city streets at low speed for a few miles, see if I can notice any obvious problems, drive back to the shop and do the alignment. Then, before I leave for Houston next weekend I'll put some miles on it, readjust the height if i need to, re-torque all of the fittings and do another alignment. By the time I get back I'll have another 3,000 miles on it and it'll be time for an oil change, so I can check it one last time and tweak it while it's on the rack.
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