GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: Hulmie on 11 July 2010, 11:10
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Right, this has been cover quite a few times on here and would like to get to the bottom of the cause of find out if its just how they should be.
2 weeks ago fitted new coilovers, strut tops, bearings, wishbone bushes etc.
Now when the coilovers and strut tops etc were fitted under the bonnet around the strut top housing the strut top sat nice a flush with the bodywork (Looked right). Now yesterday i looked under and on both sides there is like a good 1-2 cm gap between the bodywork and strut top. Which i think isnt right, as this would give space for the body work to travel when going over bumps.
Now on reading a fitting guide for coilovers it mentioned a Spacer in the build up of parts on the shocker , coilver top hat, spacer, bearing, nut.
When i got my parts from TPS i asked about this spacer and they said its on there diagram but not listed for my car, also in the fitting guide it says they didnt use it.
I just want to get to the bottom of this
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no spacer mate, they are only meant for the 4motion :smiley:
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why does it develop a gap then, it doesnt seem right
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was everything down as tight as it should be? Just that the gap is there as the bottom of the cup is sat on the top retaining nut. I'd get you a pic of mine but I have Supersport poly top mounts and the cup is shallower.
Have a check to see if that nut is defo tight enough, needs to be torqued up to the same amount as the top nut
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my old mark 1 clio has this issue too, however after having 3 seperate sets of coilovers on it over the years, it hasnt effected the handling of the car so i have just lived with it.
does it knock/make a noise or anything like that?
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Just been speaking with my mate who is a mechanic and he said thats how it should be as he's done a few and they all sit like that.
But im still not convinced
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I was told to try putting it on full lock and see what happens.
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Just been speaking with my mate who is a mechanic and he said thats how it should be as he's done a few and they all sit like that.
But im still not convinced
He is correct, they settle and then you have a gap.
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Strange set up as you will have travel in the bodywork and nothing controlling it for a short time when going over bumps
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ooowwww think im gunna check mine out 2moz aswell
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yeh let me know Will as weve both recently done ours
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Mines always had a gap
If it sits flush it usually means the mount is fooked :undecided:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=153530.0
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=142648.0
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=143696.10
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right, i guess then there's nothing wrong.
Just think its a strange set up to have a gap between bodywork and suspension parts. surely stability would be lost when cornering and going over bumps
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remember the mk4 wasn't built for going around corners fast :lipsrsealed: it was built for comfy motorway cruises
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Mine has a slight gap. So did my mk3.
I'm guessing it's normal. Anyone give a technical reason why?
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remember all the moving parts of the suspension are securely tightened below the spring cap... the weight of the car does the rest
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Yep your rubber top mount and bearing do the work along with the weight of the car as Topher said. If you had the strut top cap down tight on the strut then the metal of the turret would be directly taking the force which would result in weakening of the metal and long term issues with the turret itself.
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just checked mine mate been meanin to do it sooner......the rubber is about 7mm ish of the turret on both sides :undecided:
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just checked mine mate been meanin to do it sooner......the rubber is about 7mm ish of the turret on both sides :undecided:
yeh would say mines about the same. least we both know thats how it should be.
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Mine is the same also with FK's. I didnt even think it was a problem........ :grin: I got told the gap changes as you turn the wheel as one goes up slightly, the other goes down? :undecided: