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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: rich1977 on 19 November 2012, 19:19

Title: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: rich1977 on 19 November 2012, 19:19
ive going to finnaly ordering the coilovers for the anni in next few weeks and I am aware that the 8v lump wont tear up any trees but im more interested in cornering quicker than actualy making the car quickly, so was wondering what bits are worth changing prior to coilovers being fitted.

im thinking

anti roll bars
anti roll bar bushes
new lower arms or just replace with polly bushes
refurbed rear beam

anyone got any sugestions? or opinions of the above
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: dom on 19 November 2012, 19:29
Unless the parts you've listed are knackered I wouldn't bother replacing them.

Change the top mounts when you fit the coilovers and leave it at that.
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: Wayne on 19 November 2012, 21:45
As Dom said, replace all the top mounts and that is about all you will need to do.
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: whileoceanasleeps on 19 November 2012, 22:40
do you need to take the whole arm out when you change the top mounts?
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 19 November 2012, 22:50
Lower arm? No.
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: whileoceanasleeps on 19 November 2012, 22:55
cool that's what i wanted to hear :)

what about the bearing in the front? is this worth changing when i do my mounts
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: Wayne on 19 November 2012, 23:06
what about the bearing in the front? is this worth changing when i do my mounts

The bearing will be included with the top mount.
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: rich1977 on 19 November 2012, 23:52
surely new bushes on a car over 111k miles and nearly 20 years old will be benefit though?

its not like they cost alot, and its peice of mind knowing they are done and something else that wont need replacing later down the line.

or am I just being anal lol
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: spudboy6 on 20 November 2012, 00:12
surely new bushes on a car over 111k miles and nearly 20 years old will be benefit though?

its not like they cost alot, and its peice of mind knowing they are done and something else that wont need replacing later down the line.

or am I just being anal lol



If it ain't broke don't fix it , always change top mounts as said above , other than that jack it up give the wheel a wobble up and down , left as right to check for any play . If you have some movement investigate , if not dont change anything else ...
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: tweed on 20 November 2012, 05:38
Change anti roll bars for sure! Eibach are good. Help keeps the car flat in a corner so more grip  :wink:
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: Ess_Three on 20 November 2012, 07:58
If you are removing the standard soggy suspension and replacing it with far stiffer coilovers, you will shift all the movement from the soggy sprngs/dampers to the worn bushes.
So the car will be stiffer...but still non-too precise.
If you really want to tighten things up, switch to new rubber bushes at the very least...preferably uprated bushes.

I'd suggest lower arm (front and rear) bushes, rear beam mount bushes and front anti-roll bar bushes.
I wouldn't bother with front crossmenber bushes - they are a pig to fit and make little difference.

If you are fitting cheap, stiff, coilovers, I'd suggest not bothering with uprated anti-roll bars as the dampers will likely be too stiff to let the ARBs work properly.

In all honesty, if you really want a handling increase, decent spring/damper/ARB upgrades will give a better handling car than cheap coilovers.
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: Len on 20 November 2012, 12:57
The very first thing I would do is get your steering geometry checked, check all bushes and bearings and then buy some decent tyres.
Title: Re: whats worth changing and upgrading. prior to coilovers
Post by: Wayne on 21 November 2012, 21:52
Put it another way if all your looking to do is slam it then don't bother if your trying to improve the handling then spend more and get a better quality spring and shock kit.