Author Topic: Lowering the Golf  (Read 4581 times)

Offline tigerj360

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 468
Lowering the Golf
« on: 20 September 2010, 12:28 »
Hi guys

If there's one thing iv always wanted to do since day 1, its lower my golf. I want to do it myself (with a little help from my uncles tools) but after looking at the guides etc (yes iv used the search function  :grin:) how easy really is it? im not bad with cars but should i be attempting this by myself? ha

advise pleaseee  :smiley:

Offline Len

  • 10k hero
  • *
  • Posts: 16,295
  • Guardian of the Seas, Protector of Waves
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #1 on: 20 September 2010, 12:34 »
Dead easy mate!
The only real problem is the front top mounts, if you can get those undone then its plain sailing.
Mystic Blue Mk3 16v + Black Mk5 Gti 05 plate + Peugeot 405 Mi16

www.sas.org.uk
www.the-ace.org.uk

Offline DubSociety

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 573
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #2 on: 20 September 2010, 12:37 »
Something about going underneath a car that scares the sh!t out of me ... imagine the hydraulic jack fails.

Tbh id rather pay a garage to take that risk.

Offline tigerj360

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 468
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #3 on: 20 September 2010, 12:43 »
Dead easy mate!
The only real problem is the front top mounts, if you can get those undone then its plain sailing.

willing to help? haha

Ok well i think when i next get paid i will be investing in some coilies any personal recommendations?

Something about going underneath a car that scares the sh!t out of me ... imagine the hydraulic jack fails.

Tbh id rather pay a garage to take that risk.

ha im more scared one of them is going to spring out and take my head with it!

Offline dom

  • 10k hero
  • *
  • Posts: 10,084
  • Back in a Mk4
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #4 on: 20 September 2010, 12:47 »
Dead easy mate!
The only real problem is the front top mounts, if you can get those undone then its plain sailing.

It's a pretty easy job really.

The biggest problem I had was the bolts at the bottom of the struts were completely seized. I had to use an angle grinder to cut them off then order new bolts from VW which took a couple of days. For the top mounts a 7mm allen key and a 22mm(or 23mm, can't remember) socket with a pair of decent mole grips should do the job.

It's probably easier with 2 people, always replace top mounts along with suspension otherwise you'll find that they will fail shortly after. Make sure you take note of how the top mounts/bearings fit together when you take them apart because you'll have to rebuild them after.

The rears are a lot easier than the fronts simply because of the top mounts so if you've not done it before i'd suggest starting there. If your worried about supporting the car, as long as you use axle stands correctly you shouldn't have any problems.

If your going mega low bear in mind you'll have to remove the jack afterwards, so it might be worth using planks of wood under the wheels to raise the overall height of the car a little bit.

Grease the struts/springs before you put the wheels back on otherwise you'll find that they will seize overtime and you'll get horrible creaking with cheap coilovers.

Thats about it I think!  :smiley:

Offline Wayne

  • Sir Postalot
  • *
  • Posts: 32,051
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #5 on: 20 September 2010, 12:49 »
Something about going underneath a car that scares the sh!t out of me ... imagine the hydraulic jack fails.

Tbh id rather pay a garage to take that risk.

Axle stands ftw.

Offline dom

  • 10k hero
  • *
  • Posts: 10,084
  • Back in a Mk4
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #6 on: 20 September 2010, 12:49 »
Dead easy mate!
The only real problem is the front top mounts, if you can get those undone then its plain sailing.

willing to help? haha

Ok well i think when i next get paid i will be investing in some coilies any personal recommendations?

Something about going underneath a car that scares the sh!t out of me ... imagine the hydraulic jack fails.

Tbh id rather pay a garage to take that risk.

ha im more scared one of them is going to spring out and take my head with it!


RE: Recommendations, i'm running cheap hot tuning ones and have no complaints at all other than the handling seems to suffer if you go seriously low. For the money you can't go wrong!

Offline MotorPsycho

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 359
  • I drive a 2000bhp dragster, so what ;)
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #7 on: 20 September 2010, 13:08 »
seized bolts, get some plus gas. let it soak in while you have a cuppa then they'll undo lovely :)
1983 mk1, 2.0, TSR pack C head, Eaton M45 - work in progress
1990 mk2 GTD, boost, fuel, soot
16v GTi mk3; chilli red, 16" Audi Speedlines, coilies
1934 Ford Dragster, 200mph in 6 seconds.

Offline Len

  • 10k hero
  • *
  • Posts: 16,295
  • Guardian of the Seas, Protector of Waves
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #8 on: 20 September 2010, 13:23 »
For bottom bolts you just need a long bar! Leverage is what moves stubborn bolts/nuts!
Mystic Blue Mk3 16v + Black Mk5 Gti 05 plate + Peugeot 405 Mi16

www.sas.org.uk
www.the-ace.org.uk

Offline lil rich

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 69
Re: Lowering the Golf
« Reply #9 on: 20 September 2010, 13:34 »
And a lot of wd40