Mk3/vento suspension question.

[Kimmy]

I want to drop my vento a bit more so I bought some fk 60 front 75 rear springs for a good price. But the top coil of the front springs are a bit smaller than the old ones so I got some smaller top spring caps from vw. Now all put together and bolted on to the car when I put it in full lock I get a banging noise like it's not spinning the right bit. Is all I need the smaller caps or have I done something wrong or do I need something else? I'm a bit puzzled!?!?

Much help needed.
Thanks.
Kimmy

[tshirt2k]

You sure its not the top mount or bearing causing the banging?

[Kimmy]

No it's not the top mount knocking mate. It's the top spring cap spinning on top of the spring itself  that's making the noise it goes with a twang. It seems the bottom of the top mount is sat on top of the spring cap. So didn't know if I would need different mounts and bearings ect? I really don't know but need to get it sorted. Anyone know what year that the suspension changed on the mk3?

Kimmy

[Wayne]

Change over was 1995 I believe, top mounts are different from memory.

[thai-wronghorse]

Yup, if you've changed the spring caps to suit the earlier spring shape then you'll need to swap to the correct top mounts as well as far as Im aware.

[Kimmy]

So I will need to get top mounts and bearings aswel then? Is that all that's different on them? I'm just making sure so I can get the bits ordered tommorrow.
Thanks for all the comments.

Kimmy

[rubjonny]

whats the part number of the spring plates you bought

[Kimmy]

Hi mate I think the part number is 1J0 412 249 for the spring caps, it's the only vw bag i could find in the bin  But I have been to see vw today and it looks like the locking nut that goes onto the top of the spring cap itself is different, so I ordered some nuts, bearings and top mounts. Hopefully this will sort the problem out.

Kimmy

[rubjonny]

thats the part number for the MK3 GTI style bearing, so your spring plates have to look like this, MK2/early 4 stud MK3 on the left, MK3 GTI on the right:


Heres a pic of the rest of the bits.  top is the MK2/early 4 stud MK3 topmounts, bottom shows mk3 GTI top mount, bearing and threaded bush:

[Kimmy]

Thanks for the comments mate. The spring caps i have are the ones on the right in the top picture so would these not be right for a tdi? so should i have the ones with the smaller hole in them? Would you have any part numbers for all the bits i should need?

Thanks again.
Kimmy