GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: cornishrex on 01 April 2010, 20:08
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Hi all,
Think I have a suspension problem, the gap between front and rear wheel arches seem to be quite different with the rear about an inch or so lower than normal and the front about 2 or so higher, at least I'm guessing, Ive had a couple of mk3s before but this is the first GTI and looking at other GTI's the back is definately lower...thought it might be rear shocks/springs but any thoughts?
cheers
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Could have been lowered by a previous owner. Mine was lowered 40mm on rear when I bought it but standard on the front.
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did you do the bounce test on them????????
if not you open the bonnet (make it easier to see the top mounts and see if there gone) and press down 3 times and see if its very bounce or just stops.if it stops then they should be ok
same for the rear
then lift up the shock cover and you should see a shinny part on it.rub you finger around it and see if you have oil on your fingers after you rub them together.
after all of that you will know if there gone or not :smiley:
you probably know this already lad but it is always good to do every so often :wink:
also are these stander-ed shocks or after market versions?????
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true :wink:
was it way up at the front when you got it? this is like 5 inches between arch and tyre at the front
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This is standard GTI 8v height
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p51/jmfangio5/Vw%20Golf/golf1-1.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p51/jmfangio5/Vw%20Golf/golf3-1.jpg)
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cheers dub,
yep, theyre bog standard shocks, done the bounce test, no probs, no oil leaks either, the front top mounts were replaced for the mot about a month ago, but the car has been high for a lot longer than that
nice pics...cheers for the reference, mine is about 2-3 inches higher than that at the front and probably 2 lower at the rear
have also made sure the engines not out and in the boot too lol
ps...pics at Cheddar Gorge? :wink:
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cheers dub,
yep, theyre bog standard shocks, done the bounce test, no probs, no oil leaks either, the front top mounts were replaced for the mot about a month ago, but the car has been high for a lot longer than that
nice pics...cheers for the reference, mine is about 2-3 inches higher than that at the front and probably 2 lower at the rear
have also made sure the engines not out and in the boot too lol
ps...pics at Cheddar Gorge? :wink:
Yep Cheddar Gorge, refernce sitting high, could be the wrong springs maybe.
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no probs lad.
I think that aswell what was said above :wink:
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guess it could be..Ive a set of old rear shocks in the garage, Think I'll fit them tomorrow and see if that makes a difference, so long as the rains stopped :sad:
is there anyway of identifying the springs? they look standard..black with white and green dots?
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I am only quessing but diesel or VR springs on the front would raise it.
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cool, thanks
Ill get the rear shocks changed tomorrow then and see from there.
Is there anyway of identifying the front shock springs? and if I replace the front springs, are the GTI ones stiffer than atandard?
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I'm pretty sure the paint marks on the spring relates to the rating, that could be checked.
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I'm pretty sure the paint marks on the spring relates to the rating, that could be checked.
thanks...will make some enquiries tomorrow,
cheers everyone for the help so far :smiley:
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Hope this helps: front springs
26) 1J0411105BG coil spring / 2 paint marks / 1 paint mark
violet yellow / GT:ADZ,AFT, AEK; AAZ; MATCH
(26) 1H0411105D coil spring / 1 paint mark / 3 paint marks
green white / GT:ADZ,AFT, AEK; AAZ,1Z,AFN; MATCH
(26) 1J0411105AG coil spring / 1 paint mark / 2 paint marks
violet yellow / AAZ,ADY,1Z, AEP,AFT,AGG, AFN; automatic: ADY,AGG; "BR.":ADY "J..":ADY
(26) 1J0411105AG coil spring / for models with heavy duty suspension / 1 paint mark / 2 paint marks
violet yellow /
(26) 357411105AA coil spring / 2 paint marks / 1 paint mark
pink green / AAM,ADZ,AEE, AFT,AEK
(26) 357411105AB coil spring / 2 paint marks / 2 paint marks
pink green / AAM,AAZ,ADZ, AEE,AEY,AFT, 1Y,AEK
(26) 357411105P coil spring / 3 paint marks / 1 paint mark
pink green / ADY,AEP,1Z, AGG,AFN; automatic: ADY,AGG,AFN; "J..":ADY "BR.":ADY, ACC
(26) 357411105P coil spring / for models with heavy duty suspension / 3 paint marks / 1 paint mark
pink green /
(26) 357411105Q coil spring / 3 paint marks / 2 paint marks
pink green / AEP; "BR.":ADY, ACC
(26) 357411105Q coil spring / for models with heavy duty suspension / 3 paint marks / 2 paint marks
pink green /
(26) 357411105R coil spring / for models with heavy duty suspension / 4 paint marks / 3 paint marks
pink green /
(26) 1J0411105BH coil spring / 2 paint marks / 2 paint marks
violet yellow / GT:ADZ
(26) 1J0411105AD
coil spring / 1 paint mark / 1 paint mark
violet white / AEE,AEX
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Hope this helps: rear springs
(1) 1H6511115F coil spring / 3 paint marks / 1 paint mark
2-TUERIG yellow violet / ABF,AAA,ADY, AGG; GTI:E2U,E4T
(1) 1H6511115J coil spring / 2 paint marks
2 doors yellow / "GB.":ADZ, 1Y,AEX; "J..","GUS", "CN.":AAA
(1) 1H6511115J coil spring / 2 paint marks
2 doors yellow 2+4 door / AAM,1Y,AAZ, 1Z,ADZ,AEY, AEE,AEX; "J..":ADY; AFN,AFT,AEK; MATCH
(1) 1H6511115J coil spring / 2 paint marks
2+4 door yellow 2+4 door / sports version: 1Z,ADZ; automatic: ADY,AGG
(1) 1H6511115K coil spring / 3 paint marks
4 doors yellow / "GB.":ADZ, 1Y,AEX; "J..","GUS", "CN.":AAA
(1) 1H6511115K coil spring / 3 paint marks
4 doors yellow / AAM,1Y,AAZ, ADZ,AEY,AEE, AEX;
(1) 1H6511115K coil spring / 3 paint marks
yellow / delivery van ADAC
(1) 1H6511115K coil spring / 3 paint marks / for models with heavy duty suspension
yellow /
(1) 1H6511115K coil spring / 3 paint marks
2+4 door yellow / AEP; "BR.":ADY, ACC; "GUS","CN.": AAA
(1) 1H6511115L coil spring / 4 paint marks / 1 paint mark
4 doors yellow violet / ABF,AAA,ADY, AGG; GTI:E2U,E4T
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Just to add something maybe..
My 8v was on standard shock/springs when i got it, I noticed the wheel arch gap was bigger on the fronts than the rears.. yeah i know they're all horrible great gaps on standard springs.. hehe
Took it to my local VW dealer for a full service at the time and the parts guy (who i know) told me the fronts sit a bit higher on these if aircon is fitted due to extra weight.. I don't know if what he said is true in all honesty...only that he owned an 8v himself with new uprated suspension fitted.
Anyway i've changed the suspension twice since then with Eibach Pro Kit springs (lower 30mm allround) once with Boge, now with Koni..with the same result each time..lowered allround but still higher at fronts than rears..
Don't like it really, would prefer it looking more level.
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Hope this helps: front springs
(26) 1H0411105D coil spring / 1 paint mark / 3 paint marks
green white / GT:ADZ,AFT, AEK; AAZ,1Z,AFN; MATCH
Nice one, cheers Wayne,
had a quick check and this is whats fitted to the front, going by the markings. I assume the codes are for model of car and engine?
S'cuse my ignorance lol..but do you know which should be fitted to my car? its a '95 5 door 2.0 16v GTI, no airconditioning, ABF engine
tried the garage already this morning thinking they open at 830, but its good friday :rolleyes: :sad:
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Hope this helps: front springs
(26) 1H0411105D coil spring / 1 paint mark / 3 paint marks
green white / GT:ADZ,AFT, AEK; AAZ,1Z,AFN; MATCH
Nice one, cheers Wayne,
had a quick check and this is whats fitted to the front, going by the markings. I assume the codes are for model of car and engine?
S'cuse my ignorance lol..but do you know which should be fitted to my car? its a '95 5 door 2.0 16v GTI, no airconditioning, ABF engine
tried the garage already this morning thinking they open at 830, but its good friday :rolleyes: :sad:
16v is the same setup as a 8v so look for AGG on the lists above.
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well, the rain stopped long enough to get out and swap the rear shocks. the ones that came off were noticably softer, and with the others fitted its raised the back up by an inch or so, though the front is still higher..more investigation needed I feel...
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my gti looked lowered at the rear. New shocks and springs raised the rear right up and levelled the car.
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my gti looked lowered at the rear. New shocks and springs raised the rear right up and levelled the car.
yep, the back hasnt come right up, but I took the car for a spin and when i got back, its only just slightly higher at the front, so looks like the rear springs were shot..Im sure the previous owner was a builder...maybe he was using it to move sacks of cement or something :grin: I also noticed that the horrible clonking noise that had always been there when going over rough bits of road had gone too...amazing the noises you forget are there sometimes eh? :huh:
cheers for the help everyone, much appreciated, think its sorted but will have to get some new springs and shocks soon... Iguess these can be sourced from GSF?
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yep, i got boge's from gsf.
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front suspension at factory height is 15/20mm higher up front (thats why you can get 60/40 lowering kits)
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my gti looked lowered at the rear. New shocks and springs raised the rear right up and levelled the car.
yep, the back hasnt come right up, but I took the car for a spin and when i got back, its only just slightly higher at the front, so looks like the rear springs were shot..Im sure the previous owner was a builder...maybe he was using it to move sacks of cement or something :grin: I also noticed that the horrible clonking noise that had always been there when going over rough bits of road had gone too...amazing the noises you forget are there sometimes eh? :huh:
cheers for the help everyone, much appreciated, think its sorted but will have to get some new springs and shocks soon... Iguess these can be sourced from GSF?
the clonking noise is an indication that your rear bushes are shot... hence why your suspenshun was knack'd i'd guess
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Hello, :wink:
Although the old topic but, maybe anyone know this and will help me:
I would to change more softer springs VW Golf 3 1.9 tdi hatchback 4 doors.
If i have a front shock absorber springs with 3 pink and 1 green color. What should be the rear springs color? Two yellows or three yellows paint mark?
Now front there 1 green and 3 white marks.
Maybe rear springs is same, with these front springs colours markings (1 green/3 white and 3 pink/1 green colour)?
Thanks. :smiley: