Rear Top Mount Advice

[Manxmann]

Hi Folks,

Just after another bit of advice. A little while ago I decided the valver needed lowering as it was looking a bit silly with standard springs and 17" wheels.

Now bearing in mind that I only paid £150 for the car and I'm already down the cost of Bilstein gas shocks / bushes all round I couldn't entertain even a cheap set of coilovers.

Looking around I found a set of 40mm lowering springs from a company called Essex Racing which where reasonably priced so went ahead and bought them.

Yesterday I fitted the front two springs and was very pleased the fit and finish is great and the ride improvements quiet astonishing for such little money.

Now the problem, I went to fit the rear spring tonight only to find they don't fit, the overall diameter of the spring is about 5mm too small to fit over the inner locating 'cup' of the top plate.

The springs are clearly marked 'Golf Mk3 Rear' so don't think I've been sent the wrong set.

What options do I have, ideally I'd like to get some replacement rear top plates with a smaller centre location cup, that way I can keep the springs I have. It also saves me having to take the fronts off to send them back 

Any advice appreciated.

Tar

[Mikester]

If i remember correct the mk3 came with 2 different sized cups depending on year, as i have seen threads about this problem before. Cant remeber, but will have a search for you mate.

[Manxmann]

Cheers Mikester appreciate that. 

[shepgti]

think this came up recently, like mike said the ealier gtis (up to 94??) had larger pig tail top plates.  but are you fitting the springs to the bilstein shocks??

[Wayne]

The fronts are 100% different early and late, just checked http://www.vagcat.com/ and they only have 1 rear plate listed, might be the wrong springs maybe.

[Manxmann]

but are you fitting the springs to the bilstein shocks??

Is this really bad?

I'm sure I read you can go to 40mm on standard shocks without too many problems, reduced shock life being the only real issue.

It certainly drives a darn site better than before.

I'm worried now  

[shepgti]

but are you fitting the springs to the bilstein shocks??

Is this really bad?

I'm sure I read you can go to 40mm on standard shocks without too many problems, reduced shock life being the only real issue.

It certainly drives a darn site better than before.

I'm worried now  

no is fine dont worry, was just confused by your original post as you mentioned bilstein shocks which will have a standard size top plate whereas standard mk3 shocks may be differnt.

[Wayne]

but are you fitting the springs to the bilstein shocks??

Is this really bad?

I'm sure I read you can go to 40mm on standard shocks without too many problems, reduced shock life being the only real issue.

It certainly drives a darn site better than before.

I'm worried now  

Lowered springs should really only be fitted shocks that have a shorter travel, will be fine in the short term however.

[Manxmann]

The fronts are 100% different early and late, just checked http://www.vagcat.com/ and they only have 1 rear plate listed, might be the wrong springs maybe.

Cheers Wayne, I new the early Mk3 had what amounts to Mk2 front mounts.

Hmm not good about the rear mount only showing 1 listed, as I say the springs have 'Golf Mk3 Rear' marked on them. Guess I'll be calling them tomorrow to arrange a return.  

Are the rear mounts the same for all Mk3's? i.e. what about the non GTi/VR6 (Should that be lesser  ) models

[Wayne]

The fronts are 100% different early and late, just checked http://www.vagcat.com/ and they only have 1 rear plate listed, might be the wrong springs maybe.

Cheers Wayne, I new the early Mk3 had what amounts to Mk2 front mounts.

Hmm not good about the rear mount only showing 1 listed, as I say the springs have 'Golf Mk3 Rear' marked on them. Guess I'll be calling them tomorrow to arrange a return.  

Are the rear mounts the same for all Mk3's? i.e. what about the non GTi/VR6 (Should that be lesser  ) models

Yes all the same.