Fitting new lower springs to my golf (How hard is it???)

[alastairant]

hi

I am looking into lowering my golf 35mm, i am going to buy the springs.

How hard is it to fit them??
Has anyone got any tips to help me fit them.
Thanks

Alastair

[Sugar79]

I think its a pain in the ass tbh.. unless you know how to do that sort of thing.. I paid to have mine fitted, £80 it cost me  so really £20 a side..

[GolfGL]

There are a few quides on the ukmkivs forum. rears would be easy but the fronts could be a pain with the strut nut (try a impact gun) and releasing the bottom section of the strut from the hub (needs to be spread to get out).

[VR6Chris]

It's a simple operation for someone with some competency and the tools. This is the problem. Unless you have access to the tools it can get expensive. It's no harder than changing the shocks. Any garage could carry out the swap, and like Sugar79 I'd opt for the 2 hours labour on the fronts. Do the backs yourself as the standard springs are quite soft so compressors aren't needed, altough at about £8 are advised. I did a MK3 and messed the steering geometry. The rack needed centering and all the geometry reset. This cost £115 at a franchised dealer. I think MK4's are easier as the strut fits into the hub carrier where a MK3 has bolt holes and lots of play = lots of set up options  As with everything it always takes longer than you think.

[nadlad]

unless ure doign the full monty i wudnt bother, u will notice huge difference in drive,

first to go will be the engine sound deadener trya costs around 60 odd quid to replace and if u leave it off u got ure sump behind it if u hit something and that goes ure bummered.

i had mine lowered looked mint but after 6 months u think whats the point.

[New Duncan]

 had mine lowered looked mint but after 6 months u think whats the point

I agree with you Nadlad - what is the point unless you've got 200 bhp under the hood.

I had my performance ruined by a Dealer, not his fault really. The water pump split half way up the M6, the problem was difficult to diagnose. The dealer then put all his gismos on it and (in my opinion wrecked the custom settings and set of the ECU  back to boggy standard AUM 150 bhp) the car has never been quite the same. I think I had a partial re-map to 180 by a previous owner who I am unable to trace now. That baby used to spin-up to 6500rpm .... ever so sweet.  Now it's  ok - But not the same ? I need to find the guys who do the fancy stuff. I'm just a fitter who takes some care in re-assembly.

Unlike Ivor (no offense Ivor) - I dont want more than 180bhp - the engine still purrrrs at 50k miles, almost inaudible when sitting inside when idling - frankly - you guys may not want to hear this - In my opinion -  if you run the engine too hard you'll need new big end shells and a re-build at 85k plus miles.  Can one get a remap to 180 bhp ?

Anyone have an engine under cover - the black plastic under cover and both sides that have been torn where the bottom part is fixed. Also my sump is dented near the oil drain plug ?

I do agree with you Nadlad - don't spend money on extras unless they really give you  reliable and lasting power.

[AudiA8Quattro]

It's a simple operation for someone with some competency and the tools. This is the problem. Unless you have access to the tools it can get expensive. It's no harder than changing the shocks. Any garage could carry out the swap, and like Sugar79 I'd opt for the 2 hours labour on the fronts. Do the backs yourself as the standard springs are quite soft so compressors aren't needed, altough at about £8 are advised. I did a MK3 and messed the steering geometry. The rack needed centering and all the geometry reset. This cost £115 at a franchised dealer. I think MK4's are easier as the strut fits into the hub carrier where a MK3 has bolt holes and lots of play = lots of set up options  As with everything it always takes longer than you think.

Why did the rack need centering?
On a mk3 camber is adjustable when the struts are removed, and nearly always the tracking will be upset, but both are fairly easy to sort out.

[VR6Chris]

No idea. It was totally screwed, cabmer, castor the lot. I guess it was a simple procedure as the total job took no more than 2 hours. They run a Clio Cup car so have all the bits and experience. It drove so bad, I couldn't believe it was all so adjustable, the steering wheel had almost a 1/4 turn off centre. As the control arms did't come off I knew something was not good. Maybe the parts I used were badly skewed. Point is leave it to the pro's, no fixy no payee!