Suspension renewal time

[Tim_R]

So after 7 years of use and abuse on British tarmac and the occasional track my old Koni TA's have cried enough and stopped doing their job anything like as well as they used to. Also the rears have shown up on the mot advisory list as having "slight corrosion" for the last 2 years, when in fact there is very little yellow paint and quite a lot of rust on the bodies.

I'm looking to keep the car fairly comfortable as it will get used at times for the 40 mile round trip to work and back, mostly along narrow bumpy B roads. Its currently at factory ride height, I'm not against lowering it but my experience with Eibach's pro kit was less than satisfactory several years ago especially with the extra weight of a 16 valve engine up front so I'm a bit cautious about it.

I'm currently looking at more Konis, Bilstein B6 or Bilstein B8 dampers, anyone got any other suggestions from personal experience of living with it?

Thanks

[ianaudia4]

PM'd you with a suggestion Tim.

[Tim_R]

Cheers Ian, where did you get that setup from?

I'm also considering coilovers (not cheap ebay ones) but the only coilovers i've had experience with are ASTs on a pug 309 and Impreza. They were very good but were close to £1000 and I'm not sure I can justify that much cash on them even if they are fully rebuildable. So does anyone have any coilover recommendations?

[ianaudia4]

I bought the springs new from Revolution in Gateshead, the shocks I managed to get at Volksfling and new top mounts from GSF.

[mr.brown]

I have Weitec Hicon TX rebound adjustable coilovers on both my mk1s. Having had everything from megabucks KW to FK to cheap'n'nasty ebay ones I can honestly say these are the best of the bunch. Not cheap though - I think C&R were selling them for close on £800.

I will be selling one set shortly. Test drives available

[beekeeper]

tried almost every kit going over the last 25 years.

its a personal choice but i've always liked weitec. i'm a fan of coilovers rather than a road setup anyway and have had these on my mk1 pickup for the last 13 years with no problems.

comfortwise i couldn't fault konigsports but these were on a mk2 golf that is that bit heavier.

jamex coilovers were a good cheap alternative but this was a few years ago and dont know if their the same now.

h&r and billies were way too hard for me, but like i say, its a personal thing.

[Mr Funk]

Me and Gtxra run the same Weitecs as Monsuier Brown.

Without the finest kit I've ever owned.

[GTXTRA]

Tim, you know my thoughts re the Weitecs - still going strong and very supple nearly 5 years on.
The recent Northern trip - motorways, a-roads and twisty bits a real blast.

However - having sampled the AP Fully adjustables on the Mk1 I cannot fault them yet either - same factory and nearer £600 compared to the Weitecs.

[Tim_R]

Cheers for the feedback and opinions guys. Still not come to any decision as yet.

Do the weitecs bolt up to standard top mount or would I need other aftermarket parts? I need new top mounts if I keep standard struts so it would be handy to know if anything else is needed going with coilovers.

[mr.brown]

All coilovers bolt up to standard top mounts

[beekeeper]

as said, coilovers bolt to standard mounts but get the best you can afford.

i've personally got bonrath ones but be wary of these.

their indestructible but harsh is an understatement.

[Tim_R]

Well I've gone for the weitecs so fingers crossed they are as good as you all say.
Top mounts, I've gone for more febi ones from vwspares, I'm hoping the current pair were part of a bad batch as they are the most knackered pair that have ever been on my car and only done 20k.

What have people done to protect their coilovers from seizing or just corroding badly in the soggy weather?

[beekeeper]

i've always coated the threads in copper grease when assembling.

i'm sure others will have better ideas but its cheap and has always worked well.

[mr.brown]

i've always coated the threads in copper grease when assembling.
.

The only problem with this is that it can actually attract dirt to the exposed threads if left on. I just give them a regular coat of WD40 and then wipe off any excess. Easy for me as the wheels get changed virtually monthly lol.

[beekeeper]

fair point.

i must admit, once i've set my height(normally too low), i never change it.

do find that it stops rust and doesn't wash off though.

FK's did come with a grease rattle can, don't know if they still do.