New member needs help

[MkII16v]

Hi all
Just returned to GTi motoring after a long break.
Picked up a rough '89 16v for ?175 with 6mths MOT  . I'm going to sort it out and use it for road rallies and hill climbs.
The first problems to sort out are:
It's sitting very low at the back, could this just be the rubber shock tops?
The clutch feels stiff and grabby. I'm hoping this is a dry cable and was going to pour some engine oil down it, used to work on the old MK1? How do you release the clutch cable on the self adjusting type?
Thanks
Alec

[Gambit]

the rears will need the spring cups replaced, they are rubber and eventually over time lose shape causing the sag

its relativly cheap (?32 for both from VAG) to get everything from the bumpstop up (basically a whole new shock assembly) and its a piece of piss to fit

clutch cable, get rid of the self adjusting one and get a manual adjustment one, far better and less hassle. to take of the old one, take of the underside panel below the steering wheel, and then all is pretty easy to understand from there

[golfvr6]

the rears will need the spring cups replaced, they are rubber and eventually over time lose shape causing the sag

I think you lost me completely there mate! look at the springs and dampers, far more likely to cause the sag.  

[Gambit]

sorry vr6 but why do you have to query everythin i say??

There is a rubber top spring seat which can spread out

rear springs dont fail, and shocks dont sag that much, especially rears where there is v.little weight

if you look on here you'll find parts 12 & 10 are the cause of the sag - they are rubber and deteriorate

http://www.usefulstuff.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/myfiles/Rear.pdf

also this is what your rear assembly should look like when complete



mkII16v - i had to purchase everythin off that diagram from part 12 upwards as it turned out mine hadnt been replaced in the life on the car and has all seized

[golfvr6]

Sorry mate i'm not questioning everything you say. Thanx for the pics of complete rear suspension, i'm quite aware of them as i have had them apart a fair few times myself!  
What i was saying was the spring seat wearing will not cause the car to sag particularly, what will cause it to sag will be the springs themselves. If the spring seat looses shape it will knock not sag.

[Gambit]

jsut have to agree to disagree on this one

and the pic was for MkII16v, so has something he can compare to when he removes his rear struts.

[golfvr6]

Did you change them yourself?

[modulater]

Sorry gambit but i'm agreeing with VR6 on this one, if the sping cups go then you'll have a knocking noise as its these that hold the spring in place.  The rubber wont fail completety it will just start to crack and fall to bits.

Rear springs dont fail, and shocks dont sag that much, especially rears where there is v.little weight

Well no.

 The rear springs sag and will do over any given length of time due to them losing their compliancy, weight of vehicle and journeys will make the springs sag.

the shock absorbers will go and this will only make the car feel skittish as your not correcting the re bound of the spring. sometimes the dampers seize but it is rare to happen.

Also thanks for the picture of the rear dampers, as I haven't got a clue what they look like and have had my eyes closed everytime I have ever removed or refitted rear suspension.

the easy solution is look at the rubber, if its knackered replace it.

[modulater]

sorry vr6 but why do you have to query everythin i say??

Well simply because he can and does.

Some read books, overs get their hands dirty.

[golfvr6]

If you want lots practice changing your suspension go to GSF, the kit will  be so sh!t that you will keep on taking it off the car and putting new bits on