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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: jonesltd on 23 May 2009, 19:46

Title: Lowering
Post by: jonesltd on 23 May 2009, 19:46: I am very new to this but I have a 2002 mark 4 tdi and want to get it lowered. Can I just lower it without changing anything else ie shocks etc..

Ended up on dreaded ebay as I cant afford brand new ones so what about this one 110392823224

Hope you can help

Thank you
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: T_J_G on 23 May 2009, 19:54: You can use just springs or springs and shocks or coilovers.

All have their advantages. How much drop you want?

Those on eBay don't tell you the make, model or definite drop and seems a bit sketchy. You can pick decent brand new springs up for £100ish.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89176.0
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: jonesltd on 23 May 2009, 20:06: It says it goes to 35-40? I have no idea which is lower 35 or 40 I know that sounds stupid. I just want my car to look lower...Have asked him a few questions so waiting for a reply ie make, miles its done etc..
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: Rhyso on 23 May 2009, 20:12: Quote from: jonesltd on 23 May 2009, 20:06
It says it goes to 35-40? I have no idea which is lower 35 or 40 I know that sounds stupid. I just want my car to look lower...Have asked him a few questions so waiting for a reply ie make, miles its done etc..

higher the number the lower you go :smiley:
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: jonesltd on 23 May 2009, 20:22: Having a proper bad day but the higher the number the lower you go - just dont make sense? Normally the lower the number the lower you go as you are closer to the ground being zero?

Also whats the normal mm ppl go for? 35mm? Dont want any problems later having just read a thread abt coils etc..
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: Rhyso on 23 May 2009, 20:29: Quote from: jonesltd on 23 May 2009, 20:22
Having a proper bad day but the higher the number the lower you go - just dont make sense? Normally the lower the number the lower you go as you are closer to the ground being zero?

Also whats the normal mm ppl go for? 35mm? Dont want any problems later having just read a thread abt coils etc..

it has nothing to do as to how far from the ground you are. Golfs sit at specific heights based on what springs they are fitted with; to lower them you fit lowering springs - the higher the number the more the car is lowered :nerd:

30-45mm is normal for most people as it will help retain most of the ride comfort yet help with the handling
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: northeast_gti-t on 23 May 2009, 22:59: and just to add any lower than 50mm and the front arb rubs on the driveshaft :nerd:
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: Ivor Mk4 Turbo on 24 May 2009, 08:52: It means (minus) 30mm OFF the standard ride height. ;)
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: alex160 on 24 May 2009, 10:35: i got a brand new set of lowering springs off a company called "performance 3000" near me, cost £50 for the springs, think there g-maxx, there very good, nice and stiff but still give a good comfortable ride, and lower 35mm like they say. think they sell them on ebay :smiley:
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: Ridg on 24 May 2009, 11:57: all comes down to how low you want to go, springs will give you a fixed drop, where as coilovers give you an adjustable option, this means you can then have the rear lower than the front etc.

the think to keep in mind with just changing the springs is that, these springs aren't going to be designed to work with the dampeners already on the car (eibach pro sport are meant work well with VW Sport OEM dampeners though) as a result changing the springs can result in extra wear on the dampeners and ultimately in them failing prematurely, on the other hand coilovers (genuine coilovers (which technically you can't get for a MK4 given that the rear suspension is trailing beam)) are matched as in the spring is matched to work with the dampening that the spring "coils over" this results in a more predictable spring rate /dampening etc, and for the same travel should be smoother than shocks and springs (more progressive). As previously said coilovers also let you adjust the suspension as you wish (which in motorsport would be tweaking for different tracks) but in the modding scene it often means just getting the ride height and walking away (a waste of coil overs IMO) but often the only way to achieve 45mm + drops

also keep in mind like everything in life, the amount you spend with affect the quality of what you get, so £150 coilovers aren't going to be as good as £1000 one's however if you're looking to purely change the ride height they will both do the job.

I'm personally running eibach pro sport springs and dampeners (which are "matched") as i only wanted a 20-30mm drop to produce a similar ride height to the anniversary, he eibach setup also offers probably the best compromise between ride comfort and handling (for springs)

if you're thinking of going lower, then look at steve_pd's pics as he's on about 45-50mm drop (coilovers)

more info on lowering can be found

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1835863&postid=18980504#18980504
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: jonesltd on 24 May 2009, 13:02: Thank you ever so much for the advice!!! Wow amd blown away!!! Mind of information!

All I want to do is go slightly lower ie: where it sit with a small gap between my baby 17" RS6's and the arch wheel so have no idea how low that would be? Just want the car to look nicer and lower than what it looks like when when I brought it frome the garage as it had 15's on and looked foul!
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: jonesltd on 24 May 2009, 15:11: Thanks for info....Think I will just go with 35mm? with my baby 17's hehehe....Can I just swap my current springs to new ones without anything else really or do I need to buy new top mounts? or anything else? ARGH I just want the flippin thing lowered?!
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: Ridg on 24 May 2009, 15:43: yeah just the springs will be fine :afro:
Title: Re: Lowering
Post by: jonnyturbo on 24 May 2009, 18:33: Yep i have the old driveshaft rub problem hopefully some jom suspension lits will arrive in the uk soon :smiley: