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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: MARLBORO_LITE on 24 July 2010, 09:02

Title: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: MARLBORO_LITE on 24 July 2010, 09:02
Morning all, quick q for you.......

I always thought the Mk3 sat a bit too high in standard form so decided to drop her a little. 

I picked up some Eibach springs with a 40mm drop on ebay for £30 (new too...quite a bargain!) and to those I added new Boge Turbo gas dampers from GSF.  Owing to garage time, I had the fronts done first and was very happy with the result, nice neat, tucked in nose, with the ass end higher than a camels in comparison!  A week later I had the rears done, following which the ass end looked as though it was actually higher than before we started!  I was assured by the garage that the rears would settle down after some use.  Well, 2 months later, my ass end is still higher than a camels', and I think the ride is extremely bouncy at the rear.

Anyone have an ideas about what's going on here?  Possibly incorrect rear springs or dampers?  I want the rear to be as low as the front, presently though she looks a bit of an oddity.  I would say there's a good normal size fist between the tyre and the arch. 

All thoughts appreciated.
 
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: monkeyalan on 24 July 2010, 09:14
something is definatley wrong mate, my mk3 had -30 eibachs on standard dampers and the rear wheel sat level with the arch and any settling was minimal , maybe 1cm maximum.
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: Wayne on 24 July 2010, 09:43
Is the spring plate on the rear shocks adjustable
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: Khare on 24 July 2010, 10:16
Is the spring plate on the rear shocks adjustable

+1. They may have fitted it wrong too.
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: MARLBORO_LITE on 24 July 2010, 10:56
Thanks for replies guys.

I really got no idea on the spring plate issue.  I didn't know it was adjustable.  I'd have expected the garage I used to be aware of this though...they're German car specialists.
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: Wayne on 24 July 2010, 11:04
It might not be, have a look at the rear shock and see if you have some extra grooves in it below the spring plate if so you can lower it down a fraction more.

They may also have assemblied it wrong.
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: boneybradley on 24 July 2010, 13:30
I had virtually the same set up before and this is how mine sat

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/boneybradley/DSCN4406-1.jpg)
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/boneybradley/DSCN4390.jpg)

I do remember the rears were about 10mm lower than the front (due to vw's o.e set up) and the spring plates did have notches to locate on the strut but they were not height adjustable! I have feeling it's the rubber mounts have being fitted wrong? (there are 2 on the rear)
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: MARLBORO_LITE on 24 July 2010, 22:12
I'd love mine to look like boneybradley's....the front is comparable, the rear though is well well higher.  Sommat defo wrong.........
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: Dan_GTi8v on 24 July 2010, 22:20
could always be a dodgy set of springs, its not unheard of especially if you got them for £30!
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: Wayne on 24 July 2010, 23:31
Were they 100% mk3 springs.
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: MARLBORO_LITE on 25 July 2010, 08:18
The springs were the real deal, still boxed, each individually marked as Eibach.  However, were the springs in a matched box?  I simply don't know, I have to rely on the Ebay seller's accurate description.  In all honesty, I wouldn't have bought them unless they were described as being appropriate for the Mk3 GTi 16v.  But they could have always been re-boxed.
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: Wayne on 25 July 2010, 09:26
Might be worth getting the part numbers from the springs.
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: MARLBORO_LITE on 03 August 2010, 17:15
Well, I got hold of the guy who I bought the springs off and he's confirmed that they be these:

http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=555575774

Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
Lowers Car by: Front - 30 mm / Rear: 30 mm

Car fitment
Volkswagen Golf III (1H) 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.0 GTI, 2.8 VR6, 1.9 SDI, 1.9 D, 1.9 TD/GT, 1.9 TDI From Years: 08.91 - 08.94

Now I've noticed there's an identical spring set available for models 09.94 - 09.97.  Mine is a 95 'M' plate.  I wonder if that's the issue?  I haven't had chance to read the serial numbers on the spring itself, but any thoughts in the meantime.  What changed at Yr 94?



Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 03 August 2010, 17:18
The top spring plates on the front suspension changed in 1995.
Title: Re: Quick suspension question - 95 Gti 16v
Post by: MARLBORO_LITE on 04 August 2010, 06:02
Cheers mate, although I think my problem is with the rears.  Front appears nicely sorted, it's the phat ass that's bouncing around behind it :grin: