pss9 spring cover problem

[///MShmee]

i just installed the front struts on my 97 m3. it's the pss9 kit that is specifically designed for the m3, not just the 3 series. well, the spring doesn't quite fit with the stock covers. the spring looks as if it's going to slip off the stock coil covers- only covering half the width of the coil in some parts. it seems as if the kit needs to come with replacement front strut coil covers. has anyone else had this problem?
i used a spring compressor and tried realigning the coil with the cover several times- never quite got full coverage.

[coldblooded 328]

let me try to understand. are you saying that the spring has a lot of play when you assemble the strut? if thats what you are asking, it is normal for the spring to be able to move up and down. once the weight of the car is on the spring, it will settle.

[///MShmee]

no, there's no play nor is the issue related to the possibility of play if there were. i'm probably using the wrong terms but there's a cover or 'hat' on top of the coil where the front strut mounts to the strut tower via 3 bolts. it's an assembly of a pad, plate, bearing and the 3 mounting bolts. well that whole assembly does not fully mate with the top of the coil. it seems as if the coil spring will slip off any moment and extend toward the roof of the strut tower....

[Stück]

Why don't you post a picture, it sounds like you've done something wrong.

[coldblooded 328]

ok, i think i understand what you are saying now. there should be a piece on top of your spring that seperates the spring from the top mount. then the top mount will rest on top of that piece.

[///MShmee]

yep, that sounds right. it's the plate that compresses the spring from the top so you can bolt on the mounting plate on top. once the strut is compressed and assembled you can tell that the top plate is enough to keep it compressed but doesn't look safe/secure. even when installed on the car and compressed further with the weight of the car, it still has the same problem.
in short, i'd say the diameter of the spring is too large in comparison to the diameter of the top plate.

has anyone seen this before on any shock setup?

[coldblooded 328]

look at the struts to the right. do you have that silver piece on top of the spring?http://www.gmpperformance.com/CFJFiles/GMP/8944_b.jpg
if you do, then thats how it should be.

[///MShmee]

look at the struts to the right. do you have that silver piece on top of the spring?http://www.gmpperformance.com/CFJFiles/GMP/8944_b.jpg
if you do, then thats how it should be.

good pic, mine look more like the pair on the left. the 3 series pss9 are linear (like the ones on the right) but the m3 adapted pss9's have the increasing diameter look (like the ones on the left). but to answer your question, the kit did not come with any silver plate like the one pictured, you're just supposed to use the stock top plate....unless my kit was incomplete??

[coldblooded 328]

i would call whoever you got them from. im pretty sure you need to have that silver plate which seperates the spring from the top mount. i have gc coilovers and they came with a silver plate over the spring. i assume bilstein would be the same.