Shock Absorbers, what's what?

[Horney]

Hi Folks,

Are there different shocks for MKII's? Like are the ones fitted to a driver diffeent to those fitted to a GTI? Why is stuff for a 16v listed differently to 8v and standard MKII?

The reason for asking is there's the possibility of getting 4 driver shocks and some -80mm springs for not a lot of cash but I want to make sure that a) they would fit and b) the ride on driver shocks would still be GTI like.

Although mine is an 8v the suspension is off a 16v will this make any difference.

Cheers chaps,

Nick

[clipperjay]

From what I remember the fronts are all the same on MKII not sure about the backs as my Rallye has the exact same fronts, but the rears come up short on any 16V,s or 8V's. I always thought the 8V's and 16v,s were the same, but the dampers and springs were a bit tougher on the 16V's due to the extra weight.
Best thing to do is ring up VAG and ask parts department they usually have a definitive answer quickly.
J

 

[Horney]

I know the 16v's are 10mm lower in the spring department and that some had shocks and struts as one piece and others took inserts (Not looked to see which mine has) but other than that I'm clueless. I'll try VW later on today and see what they say.

Nick

[Gambit]

if its an 80mm kit (springs & shocks) for a driver then it will lower an 8v gti about 55mm and a 16v by 45mm

also, all kits will fit all mk2's except 4wd's as the rears are different

also, if the kit contains inserts and your car has sealed struts then you need to find the earlier struts that take the inserts. or else buy new sealed struts

if the kit is just springs then you cannot use std driver shocks. u need shortened shocks for that amount of lowering

[Horney]

Nice one bud,

I think the guy selling them has fitted just fitted these springs to a standard Driver set up, therefore standard driver shocks. Best to steer clear then I feel as I was only considering it as it was a cheap way to replace my kanckered shocks and get some lowering action at the same time. I don't want to be replacing the shocks because they are bottoming out.

The search continues!

Nick

[Organisys]

if the kit is just springs then you cannot use std driver shocks. u need shortened shocks for that amount of lowering

Seconded.

Depending on how much you lower for up to 40mm say, look for Boge or Sachs Gas 16v shocks if you can find them cheap....