Suspension help for the un-wise..

[jamie_pyrite]

Hi all, so my Jetta needs the suspension swapped over to my Bilstein set. It's got some cheap chinese rubbish + chopped springs on at the moment and the ride is dangerously bouncy. I want to try and do this job myself and save on garage costs as this car is all about keeping things as cheap as possible

So I've read a guide in the maintenance section here which basically said it's as easy as un-doing the top mounts in the engine bay, then removing those two bolts on the bottom of the strut that connect it to the hub, then it should come straight out!

Is this completely correct? My dad was under the impression there was balljoints to be removed, etc.


I'm trying to gain more hands-on experience with working on cars and performing my own maintenance so any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Dan34]

Nah its very easy. Like you say undo topmounts and then two bolts at bottom on the front and one on the back. Breaker bar is handy for undoing the bottom bolts as they get all the road grime on them. hope that helps

Dan

[jamie_pyrite]

Thanks Dan A job for the weekend! I just thought, I better replace the top-mounts while I'm at it. Which top mounts is it I need and what parts?

[Dan34]

I would go for g60 top mounts as they are the most robust i think, as for tools i think the bolts are 17mm IIRC.

Dan

[Steve_B]

Just done this myself a couple of weekends ago. Bolts holding the strut are 19mm, doubt I could have done them without a breaker bar.
Used spring comressors myself, I'm guessing you'd have to remove balljoints and so on without them.
Undoing the top plates without the right tools can be a right pain, you have to use a 7mm allen key to hold the rod whilst undoing the nut. I used a spark plug socket (13/16?) with mole grips, the allen key and the lever from my trolley jack to undo them.



For peace of mind, I used some threadlock on the strut bolts and top plate nuts.

[jamie_pyrite]

Very helpful, thanks Steve!

Borrowing some spring compressors off a mate for the weekend

[Steve_B]

No worries. Just remembered you need to get the camber checked afterwards, and tracking as well I think. Haven't got round to it yet myself as the car isn't a daily (that's my excuse anyway  )

[Dan34]

totally forgot about the topmount fitment lol glad someone sed something

Dan

[JC8V_Gti]

if you have access to an impact gun (available cheap from machine mart i believe) its easier to get that top nut off

[sidecarphil]

18v snapon buzz gun

FTW