[H11 FXY]

Hiya

I pick up my golfy soon and jut trying to sort out bits and bobs and
buying things so when I get it I can get the work done asap!

Its lowered 30mm atm on 18s using springs but I want to take it lower as thinks it still looks a bit high

Am I best using springs to do this again? Maybe 40mm ones?

Or using coilovers?

Dont have a clue about good makes etc, so if anybody could give me some advice and links pls that would be great

Woul prefer not to spend loads on it but want a decent quality on them

Cheers me deers []

Karen xx

 

[Mo]

You should be ok to lower up to 40mm on just springs but any lower and
you will need to change your front anti-roll bar for an eibach or
neuspeed one as the original will rub on your front driveshafts on
bumps and corners.The lifespan of your shocks will also be reduced
somewhat.

I have KW variant2 coilovers lowerd about 50mm on 18's and front and rear eibach anti-roll bars
on mine and the handling is great compared to standard.Im sure others
will be along soon to let you know about the handling/comfort with
lowering on just 40mm springs.

[]

 

[EstorilBlue]

Karen,

In my opinion to lower any more than 30mm on standard shocks would just make the ride way too harsh. If you want to go lower, I would suggest coilovers, this would allow for a COMFY 50mm drop if required, again to go further than this would most likely ruin the ride. Hope that helps!

 

[H11 FXY]

Cheers,

Do u have any links for coilovers? Or which makes to go for?

 

[shiuming]

H&R coilovers are also pretty good - come with Bilstein shocks. Got mine from www.motorsportworld.co.uk

Bilstein is another good make and come with H&R springs []

H&R, Bilstein, KW, Eibach, Koni are the slightly higher priced sets, you could also look at FK Konigsports which I believe are the top of the FK range and are well rated yet still keenly priced. If you want to go really nuts (and perhaps forfeit eating for a few months) you can buy sets that have adjustable damping (H&R PCS, Bilstein PSS, KW Variant 2 and 3) but to be honest unless you're racing the car and have the knowledge how to tune suspension settings it's possibly overkill.

Check the condition of your bushes, if they're knackered this might be a good chance to upgrade to Powerflex polyurethane bushes - get it all done in one hit.

Decided on your wheels yet?

 

[Drysdale]

Yes H&R gets another vote here. The FK Highsport/Konigsports are good too.

 

[02 Bora]

I would suggest coilovers, as you will regret not being able to fine tune your ride height in the future if not.

If they are going to be on the car for 1/2 years at least, then i would say definately buy some that have s/steel dampers e.g. FK silverline or KW Variant

 

[Wez]

Def' go for Coilovers, ive been playing with my ride height & dampers since ive had them and i still havnt found the perfect ride but it nice to be able to change it. If you just go for springs and you dont like the height etc your stuck! []

Wez []

 

[M15_DST]

I have 40 mm springs on my dub personnally if I could afford coilovers I would do

Currently saving for them at the minute

The drive at the minute is ok not too bad but could be improved.

 

[Dubswich]

I have 40 mm springs on my dub personnally if I could afford coilovers I would do

Currently saving for them at the minute

The drive at the minute is ok not too bad but could be improved.

I concur

 

[Cat1.4]

Check the condition of your bushes

Just wondering how you would go about doing this (i.e. does each
wishbone mount have 2 bushes, and how would you know if they're
knackered)?

Found a diagram from mokeylock if that helps

 

[Cat1.4]

Found a good diagram on awesome-gti actually, so just need to know how
to check what condition the bushes are in... I could look, but wouldn't
be able to tell what was acceptable or not

 

[Richard W]

To visibly check bushes the only sensible way of doing it is a la MOT stylee - get it on a ramp and with a big bar see how much movement is in the rubber when statically loaded (i.e. the weight of the car is on the wheels). If they feel too soft or you can see the rubber is breaking away from the metal sleeves then they're goosed. Replacement with Powerflex seems to be recommended as the polyurethane used is less compliant than the std rubber and doesn't have any voids so gives a firmer location and because of the materials greater resistance will last longer.

From that diagram the high wear items on a MkIV are - 1, 2, 3 and 5 that is both wishbone, front ARB and rear beam. It makes sense if the car is in pieces to do it all at the same time.

If you're uprating you suspension to improve the handling then please have a look here http://www.uk-mkivs.net/forums/440731/ShowPost.aspx at the thread about lowering - too much will be detrimental to the handling and actually make it worse.

 

[shiuming]

To visibly check bushes the only sensible way of doing it is a la MOT stylee - get it on a ramp and with a big bar see how much movement is in the rubber when statically loaded (i.e. the weight of the car is on the wheels). If they feel too soft or you can see the rubber is breaking away from the metal sleeves

Sleeves, that's the word I was trying to think of when writing my Powerflex wishbone how-to. [Y]

 

[shiuming]

Check the condition of your bushes

Just wondering how you would go about doing this (i.e. does each wishbone mount have 2 bushes, and how would you know if they're knackered)?

Each wishbone has one bush per pivot. Sometimes the main (large) one is visibly craked, and I'm not talking about the two voids, but actually in the main part where it joins the metal sleeve. In any case, natural rubber will degrade gradually over time and you will notice the difference with new polyurethane bushes.

 

[Cat1.4]

Great replies guys, thank you. Reason I'd like to check the bushes is
that I'm sure I recently got some changed but can't remember which
ones... Also to save having to replace them all if it's not needed...
They don't cost too much each, but once you put them together it adds
up!

 

[BalanceMotorsport]

Some very fine advice on that link from RichardW. I came across this Forum as a couple of our customers put a link and we got quite a few hits - they'd bought the Whiteline rear adjustable antiroll bar from us. As a business we have workshop and prepare cars for road and track.

We're having a chat with someone about banner ads now so please forgive the links below on only 2nd post!

I'd agree with the 30mm drop and no more being the best option but some people will always value looks more than handling. In terms of coilovers vs performance suspension kits -coilovers are great but for road use not always ideal - the spring rates aren't progressive and the ride can be harsh as a result, the threaded bodies succomb to grit and grime and the collars get stuck and to get the best out of them they really need to be cornerweighted we can do this for anyone living South East area http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk/pcp/Workshop.html