Suspension Question (Newbie!)

[V33DUB 0]

With coilovers, shocks, springs etc etc... in general will any garage fit them or is it a specialist area? Forgive my ignorance!

 

And as a complete novice to mechanics (complete novice!), would fitting new springs, shocks, bushes etc be a job to undertake as a first task or would it be suicide? Are there any 'instructions' on here anywhere?

 

thankyou please

 

Jon

[Jim Bowen 1]

fitting it all is pretty straight forward, but you might/will need someone to set it all up afterwards.

 

i've changed mine 3 times now :lol: and before got the corrado i had never carried out any work on a car before, not even brake pads.

 

I just looked at the idiots working in most garages and thought "if they can do it, then i can do it"

[davidwort 0]

With coilovers, shocks, springs etc etc... in general will any garage fit them or is it a specialist area? Forgive my ignorance!

 

And as a complete novice to mechanics (complete novice!), would fitting new springs, shocks, bushes etc be a job to undertake as a first task or would it be suicide? Are there any 'instructions' on here anywhere?

 

thankyou please

 

Jon

 

with a combination of instructions that come with coilovers (hopefully) and something like a mk3 golf Haynes manual, you'll find it's a fairly easy job.

There's a few tools you need depending on the year/model of car, a torque wrench for the nuts/bolts is fairly important.

You will need to get the wheel alignment and camber set up at a garage after doing this work though, as you'll definitely put everything out.

If you're looking at pressing new bushes into existing wishbones etc, then it's probably better to buy new wishbones with them already fitted or get a garage to press them in for you. But the bulk of the jobs are just nuts/bolts :)

[StuartFZR400 0]

bushes a pain, as said.

 

Camber/tracking etc, to be done by laser alignment in garage (not like Kwikfit).

 

Suspension - look in the Wiki HERE CLICK. Go to the Drivetrain section and there is a How To in there. It might mention taking the spring off, but if you're buying Adjustable Coilovers (compared to normal coil spring, over shock seperates), then they go in as an all in one unit.

 

So, therefore, if you can do it, any garage can too.

 

As for tools, spanners, torque wrench, possibly box spanner and allen key for top mount, socket set, and spring compressors if going for normal-decent setup. Car jack and stands. Be ideal if you found someone local off here to come help/watch/guide.

 

Asking these questions, Im not sure you've got the gist of what adjustable coilovers are best for; not sure what you're looking to buy and achieve. Stock VW shock plus spring will do fine. Many people here lower the car, starting with 40mm. For this you need a lower spring, sports, and then a sports shock. This gives a stiffer/firmer ride, but hopefully better road holding and looks. A pair of new wishbone with bushes will take some of the loose slack out too.

[V33DUB 0]

help/watch/guide.

and ultimately laugh! haha

 

Asking these questions, Im not sure you've got the gist of what adjustable coilovers are best for; not sure what you're looking to buy and achieve. Stock VW shock plus spring will do fine. Many people here lower the car, starting with 40mm. For this you need a lower spring, sports, and then a sports shock. This gives a stiffer/firmer ride, but hopefully better road holding and looks. A pair of new wishbone with bushes will take some of the loose slack out too.

Sorry, I shouldn't have said coilovers! What you've said is pretty much what I was aiming for so thats good.

 

I'm looking at getting lowering springs and sports shocks kit... Weitec probably. Lookin for a 40mm drop (or there abouts). Will 16 or 17" alloys fit ok with this? I dont need the adjustable height and don't have the budget for coilovers anyway.

[StuartFZR400 0]

No, no, coilovers are the correct term. Any spring over a shock is called Coilover - coil over shock. Its everyone else who uses it loosely; you're one step ahead already. 'Adjustable' is the key word.

 

Yes, 16 and 17 will fit under a 40mm drop. Just always ensure correct offset, ET. Again, see the Wiki.

 

1. Print off the How To Guide.

2. Pop the bonnent and find the suspension top mount; take the cap off and familiarise your self with it.

3. Jack up the car, take off the wheel and look.

4. Does the How To make sense? If not, then certainly don't try alone.