Got my lowering on its way to me and just thinking what i could re-new whislt the suspension is off the car. i need 2 new track rod ends as the rubbers have split. Would new top monts be an idea?? and anything you lot can think of.

cheers joel

It cant hurt mate, id replace the top mounts for the costs involved, IIRC there only £18 for the pair.

Top mounts for sure. May as well rebush the front end too

cheers for getting rid of that mk8wondermans posts MOd people.

£18 for the pair of top monts aint bad, is that from GSF or the dealer??

just had another thought, should i renew any bolts that hold it it all togetthor? like the rear mounting bolts?

It really depends on how long you wanna keep the car and what you intend to do with it.

If its a keeper or long term project then obviously you will want to replace all the bushes and deffinately the top mounts too. Around £18 the pair is from GSF/Eurocarparts. The stealers are said to be better quality ones, but are far more expensive IIRC.

If you really want to improve the handling and roadholding then Gladerseite nylon front anti roll bar bushes are a big improvemnt over the OE ones. Polybushes in the TCA's will really help too, though I'd stick to new VW rubber bushes for the rear beam.

Check the condition of the TCA ball joint too (wear or split boots).

You can reuse the old nuts and bolts if they aren't badly corroded. Give 'em a good clean up and refit them with a smear of Copperslip.

sweet info there bud. is there any websites that do an exploded diagram of the front suspension set up??

Mmmm, possibly but not that I know of.

Haynes book of fiction is crap. The exploded diagram makes the front setup look quite complicated especially with the top mount in about 3 seperate parts! If you look at the photograph of the front strut with its brake assembly on it actually taken from a Golf! Poxy Mr Haynes!

It really is very simple in terms of stripping it down, there ain't much to it. If your not too sure, take a few pics on your 'phone whilst taking it apart. If you do one side at a time you can always refer to the other side as a guide too.

sweet info there bud. is there any websites that do an exploded diagram of the front suspension set up??

Here is diagram from VAGCat

Its quite simple though just put everything on a work bench in the order you took it off and then work backwards to put it back on :)

Mark

cool link mate.

Will i be needing any spring compressor to do this??? as i can use the ones at work and assemble the strut there.

Yeah you will.. :)

hmmm, do i need them to assemble the strut before it goes on the car? or do i use them whilst it on the car??

Basically you can take the whole strut out by undoing the top nut and the bit where the anti-roll bar meets the strut (plus steering arms and brake pipes) the strut will drop out. You will then have to put on the spring compressors and then undo the nut holding on the spring cap. This is basically it but there is a bit more to it :)

Edited 22 October, 200718 yr by max_crox

so theres no question about it. i will have to use spring compressors. i just want to make sure as i will have to buy a set like these on the weekend.

ebay number 140169333753

Edited 22 October, 200718 yr by Oily Fingers

If you are talking about replacing the springs then yes you do need them.

Machine Mart did some they were £20 for a set of 3. They were quite good. The ones on ebay don't look too bad either though but It only looks like you get 2.

here you go :) Machine Mart Spring compressors Good if your close to one.

If you are talking about replacing the springs then yes you do need them.

Machine Mart did some they were £20 for a set of 3. They were quite good. The ones on ebay don't look too bad either though but It only looks like you get 2.

well i am swoping the old stock set up for a lowering kit, springs AND shocks.

Ahh cool. Then yep you will need them for the front. Not too sure about the rear, I think they would just drop out. Have a read though a haynes manual (not the best but will do) and get your self under the car and have a look and you should be able to work it out. It might be worth getting some WD40 a go round and spray all those rusted on bolts a few times a few days before you swap them over as it might help you out a bit :) It did me! Especially on the top cap on the front strut (the bit where number 14 points to on the diagram above).

Edited 22 October, 200718 yr by max_crox