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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: caprigreen on 07 August 2013, 19:31

Title: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 07 August 2013, 19:31
My GTI 8V does not sit right for me. The rear is lower than the front. Suspension is not standard and little harsh for me (old git) I would like the gaps between wheel and arch to be the same front and rear. Not sure what the set up is. Could I just buy a set of springs and do it that way. I am not looking for a handling its more for looks. I was thinking of 16v springs, what are your thoughts, would this work ok on a 8v and give me a better look? Any advice appreciated

Steve
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 07 August 2013, 23:11
What sort of suspension is it riding on now? If its shocks and springs and the heights are different then it might be the top mounts. If it is top mounts upgrade to mk3 top mounts.
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 07 August 2013, 23:47
What sort of suspension is it riding on now? If its shocks and springs and the heights are different then it might be the top mounts. If it is top mounts upgrade to mk3 top mounts.

Thanks for the reply. Forgive my ignorance but are you saying upgrade to Mk3 top mounts at the rear which will lift the rear and match the front? Any idea how much this will effect the ride height ? Is it an easy job ?
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 08 August 2013, 10:55
No I'm wondering if it's on coilovers or not. If the top mounts are perished then they may be pushing though slightly and making the back sit lower. I'm changing my rear top mounts this weekend, It's not a big job, the rear is much easier than the front to get off.
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: Gambit on 08 August 2013, 14:20
the issue is caused by the rubber cup within the plate sagging. naff all to do with rear top mounts - they are usually grand

http://www.clubgti-sussex.co.uk/article/Sagging_suspension/Bumpstops.htm
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 08 August 2013, 19:35
Thanks guys for the advice. I have measured the ride height difference between front and back and its about an inch ( I thought it was more). That fits in with the bulletin. Will order up the parts.

Thanks again
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 14 August 2013, 23:13
I have checked the rubber spacer under the cup on the rear and it seems fine. I have noticed the rear suspension is Boge turbo with eibach springs, looked at the front and they were sachs advantage with no name on the springs. I need to raise the rear by about an inch to make it site level. Can i fit a bigger top mount at the rear or smaller at the front or new springs all round ? What do you guys think ?
Steve
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: GeordieChap on 16 August 2013, 20:34
Having read your thread it'll be interesting to see how you come on I have just replaced the full rear suspension with standard items and Sachs springs and my back end (excuse the term haha) is sitting at 370mm from middle of hub to wheel arch I'm hoping after a few miles it settles down but I have replaced all rubber mountings etc i think if you wanted to raise the rear height just replace the rubber mounting which is that sits above the lower cup and is the one under the wheel arch
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 16 August 2013, 22:12
Having read your thread it'll be interesting to see how you come on I have just replaced the full rear suspension with standard items and Sachs springs and my back end (excuse the term haha) is sitting at 370mm from middle of hub to wheel arch I'm hoping after a few miles it settles down but I have replaced all rubber mountings etc i think if you wanted to raise the rear height just replace the rubber mounting which is that sits above the lower cup and is the one under the wheel arch

The 8v standard springs do sit quite high I seem to remember, I prefer the 16v ride height, whats it like at the front?
Regarding my issue are you referring to the top mount that sits between the top cup and the wheel arch? If so I have examined it and it seems like new. It was suggested I could fit mk3 top mounts which are bigger but not 25mm bigger ?
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: GeordieChap on 17 August 2013, 10:59
Yeah it's that rubber mount I'm on about and the front suspension is sitting at 360mm from middle of hub to wheel arch as well after having fitted some genuine shock absorbers after looking for donkeys and the same Sachs springs haven't done any mileage in it yet so hoping it settles down although have to say the top of the front struts into the engine bay doesn't seem to be exposing as much thread as the previous ones how you getting on with yours?
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 17 August 2013, 18:22
I am sitting about 300mm at the front and 275 at the rear. If I could raise the rear 25mm I thin it will look about right. Not sure how much the mk3 top mounts would gain me
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: Gambit on 22 August 2013, 17:17
nowt as its only the front top mounts you replace with mk3 items which will raise the front about 5mm or so.

if you think its the springs then replace them. but replace the rear rubber spring cups also along with top mounts shocks wont make a difference to height
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 07 September 2013, 16:37
Gents,

Hope everyone is well.
Would like your opinions. I have been trying to sort out my suspension and decided upon some eibach springs (pro kit). Just taken off the rear shocks (boge turbos) and checking the part number 27-528-F it says they are for a 16v not a 8v, will these be ok with the eibachs?

 Just looked at the front socks and they are sachs . I have a mixed shocks front and rear , they all look new so if the boge rears are ok I could buy a new set (boge) for the front or stick with the front sachs and buy some new sachs for the rear. Any opinions guys ?

Steve

PS the more I look the worse it gets !
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: GeordieChap on 07 September 2013, 19:11
Just fitted Sachs rear shocks and eibach pro springs to rear on 16v looks spot as suggested by Gambit very close to standard as well highly advisable bud.
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: gazareth on 07 September 2013, 22:48
if all your shocks are ok then just change springs. there wont be much difference in boge and sachs shocks anyway.
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 08 September 2013, 12:55
I find it strange that the rear shocks need to be different for a 16v when the ride height is only 10mm lower.
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 09 September 2013, 21:33
Hi all
I put the rear eibachs on today and she sits 325mm from wheel arch to centre of the hub all round. Looks spot on , should really do the fronts now as no idea what the springs are on the front.

Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 10 September 2013, 16:08
If you like the height I wouldn't touch the front. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 10 September 2013, 17:34
If you like the height I wouldn't touch the front. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

Thats my dilemma I just have a bit of a problem with having a mixed set up. I think you may be right
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: Gambit on 13 September 2013, 18:51
Put the fronts on also
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 13 September 2013, 19:52
Put the fronts on also

Just noticed the top mount is shot on one side so will replace the tops mounts and put the new springs in
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: Gambit on 13 September 2013, 21:10
Dead on get the g60 top mounts. Dont bother with the mk3 ones
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: CanisLupus on 14 September 2013, 13:50
Just a quick question myself. I replaced all my suspension last year too, Eibach pro springs and Bilstein shocks all round on my 8v Jetta GTI. Loving the setup and the way it sits. Only thing I find is going over humps it is quite harsch, or deeper potholes if I missed them ~~ Otherwise it is sound.

When doing everything I bought close cell powerflex bumpstops:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Jetta-MK2-Powerflex-Front-Bump-Stop-Kit-BS2001K-/380520550642?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5898cad0f2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Jetta-MK2-Powerflex-Rear-Bump-Stop-Kit-BS2005K-/140889843918?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20cdb068ce

Not sure why I did back then, sure I read somewhere someone did the same and loved it. Would the bumpstops cause this? Would it have been better going oem on these?

No banging or crashing, everything is fine, just find on "bigger" humps one does get a good "jolt"

Input appreciated! Cheers
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: caprigreen on 14 September 2013, 14:58
Just a quick question myself. I replaced all my suspension last year too, Eibach pro springs and Bilstein shocks all round on my 8v Jetta GTI. Loving the setup and the way it sits. Only thing I find is going over humps it is quite harsch, or deeper potholes if I missed them ~~ Otherwise it is sound.

When doing everything I bought close cell powerflex bumpstops:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Jetta-MK2-Powerflex-Front-Bump-Stop-Kit-BS2001K-/380520550642?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5898cad0f2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Jetta-MK2-Powerflex-Rear-Bump-Stop-Kit-BS2005K-/140889843918?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20cdb068ce

Not sure why I did back then, sure I read somewhere someone did the same and loved it. Would the bumpstops cause this? Would it have been better going oem on these?

No banging or crashing, everything is fine, just find on "bigger" humps one does get a good "jolt"

Input appreciated! Cheers

I am not on the road yet so will let you know. I have the standard bump stops . Not sure if your upgrade will result in a firmer jolt when the you bottom out. If the suspension is bottoming out then it will always feel a hard jolt ?  I will be disappointed if the ride is too harsh as was told eibach were similar ride to standard. Perhaps this is the compromise for the more attractive ride height ?
Title: Re: Ride height
Post by: Gambit on 14 September 2013, 17:01
The bilsteins are a very firm shock, i had them on mine and did exactly the same as described above. They where the insert type, eventually i swapped out fronts in favour of sachs racing shocks and they didnt crash/bang quite as hard as bilsteins