What springs?

Afternoon.

My two front springs are different lengths (I think)

1)Where are the markings on the springs?
2)What markings should mine have?
3)Do the markings wear off?
4)Should I replace both?
5)Are second hand ones OK, I'm on a bit of a budget.

Peter.

I can't help with the marking questions I'm affraid but would state the obvious (?) that you should replace both fron shocks at the same time and personally wouldn't go second hand unless they were both of same car and you could be 100% certain that they were completely sorted.

Dodgy shocks as well as giving bad ride can greatly increase your breaking distance too - Apparently!

oh Hairy one,

Did I write shocks?

no, I wrote springs.

Peter.

Pete,

I know you hate ETKA but this is what is says…

171411103 coil spring F >>1793750000 GTI
8/78 7/79 951 1 paint mark blue

171411105G coil spring GTI F17A0000001 GTI
no paint marks specified

Not sure is that is any help

171411105G 951 ?39.37 ea & vat, still available from VW. Be cheaper fitting Eibach or something similar