GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Tornado on 01 September 2005, 19:43

Title: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Tornado on 01 September 2005, 19:43: I have recently acquired a spanking 8v digi. It is a lovely car but 2 shockers are shagged.
I intend to use the car daily and would like to canvass opinion on the most practical lowering option. I would like to drop around 40 mm but I am concerned about clearance issues as the car is currently riding on 16's.
Anyone out there know the answer???
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 01 September 2005, 20:44: 40mm and 16s will be fine. Just don't hit speedbumps too fast.
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Tornado on 01 September 2005, 23:01: Thanks
I will let you know about the speed bumps!!!
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Ozz on 01 September 2005, 23:22: Yeh, my last car was lowered 40mm running 16's, daily driver and hardly ever scraped, only on particularly nasty multi storeys.
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: sellers on 02 September 2005, 00:51: iv gone 60mm, with 16's and it srubbed at teh back but i put in some stoppers in the springs so its fine now
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: eightvalve on 02 September 2005, 09:11: Is it easy to put in lower springs. What do you have to do?
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Fielder5757 on 02 September 2005, 09:17: Currentally sat on 15inch rims and a 40mm drop and speed bumps dont really pose a problem, The biggest obstical i find from experence is gettting in and out of Petrol stations, Some of them are raised so that the forcourt can be entirly flat. To save space the ramps into the station are often short and stubby, Many a scrape in the way out of the watford Total garage.
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Judderi on 02 September 2005, 09:42: Quote from: eightvalve on 02 September 2005, 09:11
Is it easy to put in lower springs.Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â What do you have to do?

You will need a set of spring compressors. They are like clamps that squash the spring small while you take them out. Apart from that the jobs straight forward enough. You may struggle with a few seized bolts but should be able to manage ok.
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Fielder5757 on 02 September 2005, 09:46: He will also need the Tool to loosen the nuts ontop of the struts, its like a little attatchment that connects to a standard socket wrench, GSF sell them for abour Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£2 i think.
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Judderi on 02 September 2005, 09:49: Or you could struggle with needle nose pliers like i did.

(http://i24.ebayimg.com/03/i/01/a1/b5/1d_1_b.JPG)
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: eightvalve on 02 September 2005, 10:47: Thanks for the info. All the fasteners should be ok as I've had some of them off recently changing ball joints etc. I can get a spring compressor easily enough. What do you call that special attachment? If it can be done with needle nose pliers/ circlip pliers I'll be ok.
Just have to decide how low to go. It has 15'' wheels with low profile tyres. 40mm might be reasonable.
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Organisys on 02 September 2005, 13:03: Eibach or Spax springs would be a good choice.
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Rain on 02 September 2005, 18:16: im running 14's on 60mm drop only problem is i have to take it really easy over bumps and like fielder watch the front on kerbs and ramps as it scraps but the most annoying bit is my 1st box under the middle of the car on the exhaust rubs too on bads bumps and them silly ones have gaps either side and normally 2/3 side by side. anyone on 60mm have problems with rubbing the archs??
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: golfgti818 on 03 September 2005, 00:43: Im lowered 60mm no rubbing arches except if rear is fully loaded
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: The Hoax on 03 September 2005, 01:37: You can go as low as the testicles of a reptile but you will receive many a jolt in the back from the pot holes that are sanctioned by the Great Impish Council of Lanarkshire in order that the foresaid organisation pay the remunerations of the hopeless, wretched, imbiciles who provide a teat for the mouths of the feckless.

Yeah 40mm is about right!
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Dizzie on 03 September 2005, 07:56: I'm running a 60mm drop with 17's and I don't really have any trouble with clearance or grounding out. If I've got 4 or 5 in the car it'll rub a little on the back down bumpy roads.

Once I've got the G60 arches on and they've been rolled to buggery I might attempt a 80mm drop heh
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: Rain on 03 September 2005, 11:03: mine rubs at the front as for the ride its amazing seeing as its been lowered and all but its not bumpy or harsh at all especially where i live with all the speed humps and pot holes the previous owner put a jamex kit in costing them about Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£500 wit Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£90 for fitting. :D
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: russ_turner on 03 September 2005, 22:29: surely the whole point of the gti badge is to be able to scoot down these a and b roads quicker than anything else?? 80mm drop has got to be posing a little too much, keep it usable! i was running a 60mm drop with springs on 15s and it was fine but the ride was sh!te, currently running some height adjustable fks with 16v springs at the rear and looking into some front springs for a pair of spax rsx front shocks. the rear shocks were Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£55 from ebay and i got the fronts for Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£60 from ebay too. im considering modifying the rear spring plates to allow me to use 2 1/4" springs as you can pick springs up for a fraction of the price in whatever size and rate you want. all im saying is don't just buy springs, it'll make a big difference if you go a little further
Title: Re: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Post by: knobby on 04 September 2005, 09:15: Someone always said to me...

If it dont RUB it aint low enough!!! :grin:

kNobby!