Lowering advice...

Yes I'm sorry another lowering thread.

The front struts have been failed on my MOT so I thought I'd take the opportunity to replace the shocks and springs all round.  I've decided not to go down the coilover route as after extensive reading, reports are really mixed and this isn't going to go near the track anyway.

So, having looked at lots of lowered MK1s I can't decide on the drop, the car currently looks like this:


I'd like to lower the wheels so they are filling the arches but not tucked under, I'd also like to even out the 'nose in the air' syndrome, is this a feature of lighter small block engines? This is a 1.3 GLS.

Is -60mm from standard going to be too much? will -60-40 be weird?  I've seen a weitec kit for ?290 which would fit the bill, but there is a lot of reccomendations for Koni's and Eibach combos on the forum, are these another step up price-wise?  Would I find these anywhere as kits?

Cheers for your help.

i think a 60mm drop would look pretty nice. would definately fill the arches.

most shock/spring sets are measured from stock GTI height which is 20 lower than a non gti. so by getting 60mm springs your actually going do 80mm from the height your at now.  measure the distance between wheel centre and arch then stick a few mates in the car till it goes to 60mm then decide. you might want more who knows.

Cheers for the replys, appreciate this is a personal taste thing etc.  

Has anyone got pics of their cars (non gti's) lowered by 60, 40 etc?

I've searched the build threads, but sometimes 40mm looks right then sometimes not, this might well because I'm looking at gti's and small blocks.

Unfortunately the car is miles away at the garage, otherwise I'd do a you suggest!

J

This is -40mm springs with a 1.3 engine. It's too high for me, but gives you an idea

Exactly what I'm after, I think -60 would be too low on that basis.

What shocks springs are you using?

Right, really confused now.  Be gentle I am a noob.  I was checking the suitability of the Weitec GT kit

Venom Motorsport Performance Car Parts - EBC Brakes, Black Diamond Brakes, FK Suspension, Eibach Suspension, Weitec Suspension, Supersport Suspension

and found this:

"Only for cars with removable front inserts, if non-original "sealed" struts are fitted, replacement "non sealed" struts will need to be obtained or a strut kit ordered instead of an insert kit. In the case of a Golf 1 platform, new or used VW struts will be needed to enable inserts from WEITEC to be installed."

So is this saying that the kit doesn't come with suitable struts?  One of the reasons I was getting it is because my struts need replacing for MOT.  I've found posts stating that they are 'insert only' kits, but are they not struts I can see in the picture?

Please help, this is screwing with my head!

Yep, they won't come with the whole strut. Spring/damper kits never do. Coilovers always do, since the entire strut is different.

I got G-Max gas shocks on their own, front only, from Venom and they were the whole strut to just bolt on (as the photo suggests) : http://www.venommotorsport.com/manufacturer_product.php?manufacturer=Gmax&category=suspension&product=FrontDampers&make=VW&model=Golf
I already had the lowering springs, or could have bought new ones separately. I've been really impressed with them for 'normal' everyday town and country driving on lowered springs. I realise you've got a healthier budget than me though!

Thanks Paul, what part of the strut is missing, is it difficult to get a hold of?

J

jetpacjimmy said

Thanks Paul, what part of the strut is missing, is it difficult to get a hold of?

J

Its not missing, its simply not supplied! The dampers are inserts, which go into the body of your existing strut. Ie you remove the strut from the car, remove the top mount and spring, unscrew the insert cap, extract the old damper, and fit the new one in there and put it all back together again.

No idea on availability - search engine might reveal, since its been discussed before a few times.

cheers Dd, if I can do it for less I'd like to!  I was just after a well made kit that would replace the struts and give me better handling and drop her down a little.

Rewind a bit - why do your struts need replacing for the MoT? What was the reason for rejection?

Ok so the struts that are pictured are not supplied because they're not for MK1 use and therefore I need VW items?

Looks like I may need to look at coilovers then…

paul_c said

Rewind a bit - why do your struts need replacing for the MoT? What was the reason for rejection?

Corrosion I think, he said they need replacing.  I may need to investigate a bit further then?

Sorry the garage is miles away and I haven't seen the fail sheet.

you can go to any mot station and get a duplicate failure. will cost about a tenner. they just put the details in and it'll tell them.

Jon

Or put your reg number and reg document number in here :
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/servlet/ECHIDDispatcher

60mm front & 40mm rear ok for mk1 gti cab 1990??

Please help guys if you have a pic of a mk1 with 60mm front and 4mm rear, please put one up!!

Thanks