GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: tigerj360 on 20 September 2010, 12:28
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Hi guys
If there's one thing iv always wanted to do since day 1, its lower my golf. I want to do it myself (with a little help from my uncles tools) but after looking at the guides etc (yes iv used the search function :grin:) how easy really is it? im not bad with cars but should i be attempting this by myself? ha
advise pleaseee :smiley:
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Dead easy mate!
The only real problem is the front top mounts, if you can get those undone then its plain sailing.
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Something about going underneath a car that scares the sh!t out of me ... imagine the hydraulic jack fails.
Tbh id rather pay a garage to take that risk.
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Dead easy mate!
The only real problem is the front top mounts, if you can get those undone then its plain sailing.
willing to help? haha
Ok well i think when i next get paid i will be investing in some coilies any personal recommendations?
Something about going underneath a car that scares the sh!t out of me ... imagine the hydraulic jack fails.
Tbh id rather pay a garage to take that risk.
ha im more scared one of them is going to spring out and take my head with it!
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Dead easy mate!
The only real problem is the front top mounts, if you can get those undone then its plain sailing.
It's a pretty easy job really.
The biggest problem I had was the bolts at the bottom of the struts were completely seized. I had to use an angle grinder to cut them off then order new bolts from VW which took a couple of days. For the top mounts a 7mm allen key and a 22mm(or 23mm, can't remember) socket with a pair of decent mole grips should do the job.
It's probably easier with 2 people, always replace top mounts along with suspension otherwise you'll find that they will fail shortly after. Make sure you take note of how the top mounts/bearings fit together when you take them apart because you'll have to rebuild them after.
The rears are a lot easier than the fronts simply because of the top mounts so if you've not done it before i'd suggest starting there. If your worried about supporting the car, as long as you use axle stands correctly you shouldn't have any problems.
If your going mega low bear in mind you'll have to remove the jack afterwards, so it might be worth using planks of wood under the wheels to raise the overall height of the car a little bit.
Grease the struts/springs before you put the wheels back on otherwise you'll find that they will seize overtime and you'll get horrible creaking with cheap coilovers.
Thats about it I think! :smiley:
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Something about going underneath a car that scares the sh!t out of me ... imagine the hydraulic jack fails.
Tbh id rather pay a garage to take that risk.
Axle stands ftw.
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Dead easy mate!
The only real problem is the front top mounts, if you can get those undone then its plain sailing.
willing to help? haha
Ok well i think when i next get paid i will be investing in some coilies any personal recommendations?
Something about going underneath a car that scares the sh!t out of me ... imagine the hydraulic jack fails.
Tbh id rather pay a garage to take that risk.
ha im more scared one of them is going to spring out and take my head with it!
RE: Recommendations, i'm running cheap hot tuning ones and have no complaints at all other than the handling seems to suffer if you go seriously low. For the money you can't go wrong!
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seized bolts, get some plus gas. let it soak in while you have a cuppa then they'll undo lovely :)
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For bottom bolts you just need a long bar! Leverage is what moves stubborn bolts/nuts!
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And a lot of wd40
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Got the hittuning ones. Seem fine, but obviously expensive ones will be nicer.
Top tip - DON'T be under the car if it's just on a widowmaker.
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They are pretty easy after you do it the first time. I got my dad to help with mine. Neither of us had done anything like this before. First side of both ends took a while, between finding tools and figuring out what went where and how to get the strut out and back in etc etc, but then the other side only took 20 minutes or so once we knew what we were doing. It's pretty straightforward on the mk3 :afro:
As others have said, axel stands ftw! :afro:
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Sorry to be scraping in on this but how much is a rough price on a garage fitting coilovers?
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For bottom bolts you just need a long bar! Leverage is what moves stubborn bolts/nuts!
+1 Long bar and Weetabix is all that's required here. Lowering is an easy job and when you have finished you will enjoy it even more knowing you did the work. And then you can spend the cash you've saved on other bits for the car :grin: :grin:
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Sorry to be scraping in on this but how much is a rough price on a garage fitting coilovers?
Your looking at about £100-£150 at a garage, or a crate of beer to a mate.
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Plus Gas > WD40.
Also, make sure the bolt is seized on the strut rather then through the hub before grinding it off. ;)
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Thanks so much for all the help guys, I think im gunna give this a go myself with a hand from my old man and let you know the results
if i dont manage it...
Sorry to be scraping in on this but how much is a rough price on a garage fitting coilovers?
Your looking at about £100-£150 at a garage, or a crate of beer to a mate.
anyone fancy helping me for a crate of beer? ha
Jon