Raising the rear box

[irmscher]

I know it's probably been covered amongst various threads before, but what on earth is the best way to raise up the rear box on a MK3 8v?  It's been to another garage this week, and the mechanic said he can't do anything with it...apparantly it will start hitting the body if he bends the bracket (which is what i suggested)...

I think it's a Jetex but not sure as it came on the car when we got it... it just lets the look of the whole car down as it looks like it's hanging..

What are some of the methods you guys have used to overcome this problem?

[Len]

I would agree with your mechanic.
You cannot bend the bracket.
The only thing you maybe able to do is bend the rod thats welded to the back box. But there is very little scope there.

[irmscher]

thanks Len, that's what i meant actually the rod that the rubber mount slips into (the bracket on the box itself) he can heat it up and bend it but he said it'll make the zorst knock...how can they be such a poor fit?

[bored_Welsh_lad]

mate, ive got a totally standard back box and mine knocks if i put people in the rear.. its a nitemare.. i think its my shox are toast though

[Len]

I kinda have the same problem myself as the exhaust is now rubbing against the new body kit bumper cut out one side and I have to try and bring it over to the side.
Its gonna be a right pain!

[mase]

mate, ive got a totally standard back box and mine knocks if i put people in the rear.. its a nitemare.. i think its my shox are toast though

if it only happens when u put people in the back, id be more inclined to say its your shocks sagging and hitting the bump stops.

if your exhaust is too close to the body work, it will knock as it vibrates regardless as to how many people are in the car.

irmscher: i think your stuck with it mate, unless u can get smaller rubber hangers to bring it closer, its dependant on the manufacturer and how the box was made, ive got a sebring on my mk3 and the pipes sit right up against the cut out on the bumper, and the box has never knocked!!! luck of the draw i think as there doesnt seem to be a lot that can be done about it.

[irmscher]

thanks fellas...

Anyone know where i can get smaller hangers as the existing ones seem to be special as the holes are on the opposite sides i.e. the ones for the box bracket to slip into face front to back and the hole that sits on the body bracket are side to side (does that make sense?)

[gtitdi]

I get the knocking problem with people in the back too... its a Jetex exhaust also... the shocks are brand new so it can't be them. It seems to be knocking on the rear axle...

[garfayliu]

the knocking is from bad alignment of the exhaust pipe that goes over the rear axle, this can be solved by raising the back box to a certain extent. try demon-tweeks or c&r enterprises for shorter exhaust hangers.

another bodge method is to use a large hose clip to tighten up the rubber mount and lift the tail pipes a bit, there'll still be some flex, but as I said a bodge to make it look nicer and possibly cure the knock.

if you're like me and the tail pipes sat too close, I just use a couple of spacer bolts to hold the mount further away from the chassis. Got it just right now: