Possible to change front coils on mk4 golf without spring clamps?

[Timpy]

Hi guys I'm new to this site I have a 2000 mk4 golf Gti 1.8t and was just wondering if its possible to change front coils without the help of spring clamps I've been told I need to use them but just wanted clarification before I buy some,I realise there not particularly expensive but if I don't need them I dont want them,I'm only changing the springs and leaving the standard shocks as they are as I've already changed the rear suspension and the ride is quite firm the problem is I can't adjust the coilover kit high enough to get the back level with the front and in my personal opinion this isn't a good look,any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated

[dom]

You will need clamps

[tomparkes]

You will need clamps

+1

[beppe2672]

Caught one of my mates trying to clamp his springs with jubilee clips once, told him it wouldn't end well, they gave out whilst he was removing the spring and he broke his thumb, so yeah, I'd advise using spring clamps!

[Wayne]

Never worth the risk, they are under a lot of tension.

[Timpy]

Thanks for the help guys,I'm pretty new to this kind of thing this is my first car therefore first car I've ever worked on,it was either a Golf Gti 1.8t or a 1.1 Peugeot 206,easiest decision I've ever had to make lol,I take it you don't actually need to use them to remove the unit itself from the car,just when u come to detaching the coil from the shock after its taken from the car right? Looks like I need a set of clamps then I don't really fancy jubilee clips and broken fingers,your mate is lucky it was just his finger and not in his face,ouch,also do u guys run full aftermarket suspension ie shocks and springs,as it could be better to just change the whole lot,do you ever find the ride too firm? I live near Bristol and the roads are mostly trash but id be willing to put up with the hard ride if u guys think its worth it?

[dom]

You don't need to remove the bottom of the shock from the hub but it would definitely help. There is a good guide here:

http://www.r32oc.com/topic/30307-front-strut-spring-and-top-mount-removal-and-replacement-mk4-mkiv/

[Bellend]

Well it is doable just depends if you want to do it or not.

This isn't brilliant advice so to speak but if you take the caliper and track ends off the hub then undo the bottom balljoint so it's loose and undo the driveshaft, you can put wheel back on and let the car down, whip off the top mount cap and nut underneath and then jack the car up which will let the tension off the spring and allow you to take the shock and hub assembly out.

I had to do it on a Polo once and is safe if you're not a moron.

[Gti_Jamo]

If you value your face, use spring clamps. The ones that also clamp to the spring to stop them slipping off.

[Timpy]

Thanks for the advice guys I'm gona get some springs and have a bash at it soon,oh and clamps, guess its a pretty easy job as long as your not a moron lol I did the rear springs and shocks on my own with very little reading up before which took me probably 2 and a half hours,that's 2 hours for the first side and half an hour for the other lol,it'd easy when u know how!