Front shock absorber - advice/help needed

Hi -

My 1983 MK1 GTi has just failed the MOT with leaking oil from the N/S/F shock absorber.  The mechanic cannot source the part (and has tried extensively).  I have been left to source the part my self.  I am prepared to buy both the fronts, but the Spax ones on the car are out of production.  The issue, which I'm sure is common knowledge to many on here, is finding ones with the side brackets (the only way I can describe them is wings!).

Does anyone know where I could get one or a pair to fit?  I apologise if this has been posted prior - I couldn't find it.  I really don't fancy spending the money on a full kit if possible.

Does anyone have any other advice?  Maybe what they have on there car that would be more appropriate long term?

I have managed to source what I think are the correct ones second hand locally (Have a picture, but not sure how to attach).  I have also attached a picture of mine too. (Again not sure how to attach)

Your help in much appreciated in advance.

Steve

I think you mean you cannot find a new complete front strut assy, and I doubt you will, you need an insert, a pair really which are readily available) from people like maybe spax, koni, bilstein and others.

Yeah I thought it was just inserts, but apparently according to Spax they haven't made these since 1998 and the mechanic says the inserts are not removable.  It needs to be the full strut.

Any ideas?  Who supplies them?

Thanks

Well I purchased some spax (adjustable krypton gas, not sure that's exactly right) inserts 2 or 3 years ago,  I doubt youll find a complete strut assy now, will probably need to find some used vw ones and fit some inserts to those.

Are the ones from the MK1 cabby's the same as my model (1983) as I have found dome that seem to be the same?

Right, think I understand:

The original strut and insert was replaced in full by a Spax setup. A few years ago, on many models the front struts used to come in the package too - Koni did this too.

You are now saying, the insert part of it needs replacing but it cannot be found. I presume the setup is slightly different to the OEM?

1. Have you called Spax directly?
2. Refurbed Struts are available from CQ's, if you return to OEM. You could put an uprated shocker in this though.

http://www.golfmk1.co.uk/Items.php?cat=SLAREA&group=FRONTSUSPENSION

Steve-B said

Right, think I understand:

The original strut and insert was replaced in full by a Spax setup. A few years ago, on many models the front struts used to come in the package too - Koni did this too.

You are now saying, the insert part of it needs replacing but it cannot be found. I presume the setup is slightly different to the OEM?

1. Have you called Spax directly?
2. Refurbed Struts are available from CQ's, if you return to OEM. You could put an uprated shocker in this though.

http://www.golfmk1.co.uk/Items.php?cat=SLAREA&group=FRONTSUSPENSION

The mechanic (who I trust) phoned Spax and they said the model number he gave hasn't been in production since 1998.  But they could make one from the dimentions at cost of over £300 for one!!

The strut assembly will not take an insert - so I need the whole thing.  Is this possible (obviously not the original parts)?

I'm guessing the refurbed strut is what I need then?  Is CQ, Crazy Quiffs?

I'm prepared to buy after market struts too with the correct recommendations??

http://www.golfmk1.co.uk/Items.php?cat=SLAREA&group=FRONTSUSPENSION

Click above. Problem solved.

Other option would be coilovers, but you'd have to do all 4.

Steve-B said

http://www.golfmk1.co.uk/Items.php?cat=SLAREA&group=FRONTSUSPENSION

Click above. Problem solved.

Other option would be coilovers, but you'd have to do all 4.

That doesn't have the same connections as the one taken off. How do I attach a picture to clarity. The one removed has wing like connections that bolt on a the bottom (one on each side, but you only use one depending on the side of the car).

Buy a pair of vw struts, either refurbed bodies from cq or an old used set (advertise for them on here), the vw ones do come apart, then fit for example some bilstein (very good make )inserts , available on ebay for about £84, various cheaper makes are also available.

abfmk1 said

Buy a pair of vw struts, either refurbed bodies from cq or an old used set (advertise for them on here), the vw ones do come apart, then fit for example some bilstein (very good make )inserts , available on ebay for about £84, various cheaper makes are also available.

The Refurb ones on CF's don't have the side/wing like brackets that the ones I'm taking off have - is that a problem?

BY  wings I assume you mean the brake line support brackets, cq,s do have them if genuine vw struts, but they are only on one side (as far as I can remember) so possibly missing from the picture, I also know they are on there as I have purchased some from cq.  Would be easy to make and weld these on if missing anyway although that would mess up the powder coating.

Yeah, will be the brake-line supports.

They should be on, but even if not, you can tie-wrap them on.

So long as the rest of your hub is standard, which it should be (not aware of any mods you could do anyway), then the CQ's ones will fit.

Search on here for "How To Lower Car Thread" or something like that - there's a good thread with loads of images on showing all the parts of the front end - it'll give you a better idea.

send CQ an email, it may be their strut housings are designed for MK2 golf style brake line rubbers, these clip on to an arrow like bracket near the bottom. I think I can just make this out, but I cant quite tell as the picture is a bit dark

lika dees:


the mk2 rubber is an oring with a square slot on it, rather than just a plain oring as per mk1.

alternative option gif you're stuck with a plain shock tube, simply get your garage to cut off the tabs from the old one and tack weld them on the new one! shouldn't be a struggle for them

Thanks everyone for all the advice given so far!  I have bought a full set, second hand, locally and they will arrive tomorrow.  They are from a MK1 Cab GTi?? They look correct from the photograph - however, I'm not sure they are perfect.  Either way I need two as it's pointless having to different strut assemblies on the front.

If they prove to be incorrect - CQ are my next option.  I needed to make a rushed decision this morning as my car is sitting at the mechanics using up space and needs to be sorted by tomorrow (or everything will have to be put back on and taken off again when I eventually source a part).

Thanks again!

Hi - sorry to go over a much discussed issue.  My previous issues were sorted, so I thought.  The front struts I had fitted, from a GTI Cabby, required me to to need wheel alignment.  Kwikfit informed me that they we unable to adjust the camber etc…they identified that no bolt were present to do this on the one side and the caster was impossible to set on the suspension I had.
I think I'm going to bite the bullet and purchase a new set as the handling is currently awful.

My options are replacing the lot on the front and remain on the Spax rears OR a full coilover kit. I have £400 to play with, but would be happy to hear some cheaper alternatives if possible. If the full kit is the best option, what do people recommend.

Sorry there are a lot of questions/queries here. I'd like to make the correct decision and not waste anymore money…

Thanks in advance,

Steve

I wouldn't fit coilovers, only usefull if your interest is going very low, don't believe they will ride as nice as the large dia coils fitted as standard. How about a set of new bilstein , (front inserts and rear units available on ebay fot about £170, then a set of eibach springs, about £150 I think, that will leave a bit for the used front struts to take the inserts if you don't have them. then its all new and should be good for years.

caster isnt adjustable no matter what, so if thats out you may have a bent wishbone!

as for camber changing the shocks and springs wont help you this is set by the bolts holding it to the bearing carrier. the MK1 should have 1 normal bolt and 1 bolt with a cam/offset washer which you turn to adjust the camber, take the bolts out again and lay them out you'll soon see what I mean.

If one of the camber adjustment bolts is missing then get yourself another one, std fit on all mk1s so not hard to get replacements. the alternative is just use a thinner shank bolt like the mk2/3 does, VW still sell them or aftermarket adjustment bolts such as those sold by eibach though those are quite expensive.

but yeah, if your caster is off one side then you have more problems, sort that out first and you might find the camber issue goes away

The reading from Kwikfit was as follows * = degrees symbol as I cant find one (I mean the little zero);

Front - Camber

0* 36'                  1* 12'                  -0* 37'

Front - Caster

-0*41'                   -1*53                  1*37'

Front - Toe

0*35'                                                -0*07'

So, the camber can be adjusted if I get the missing bolt, as there definitely wasn't one there to adjust it on the used one I had fitted?

Whereas, the Caster I need to check the wishbone?

Prior to changing the strut I had even tyre wear and zero handling issues.  Prior to the Kwikfit visit I started to get uneven tyre wear(I assumed because of the new strut). Since Kwikfit attempted to adjust the camber I have the car dragging to the left very dramatically.

Thanks again for the advice so far!!

what do the figures mean left to right?
left, right, difference? or left, right, VW spec? or?