Bilstein b4 / Eibach pro-kit

[JackPong]

In July 2015 I treated the mk2 to a new set of springs and dampers as above. After discovering the car had mismatched springs on the rear and was lopsided up forward.

Put on new wishbones and bushes, lower ball joint, top mounts, oem bumpstops and boots as all of these were knackered.

I bought the car from a chap in Weston S Mare who had found it under a tarp in someone's garden , where she had been hibernating for 8 years. Originally she was going to be just for a road trip across France last summer, however on return, I couldn't even consider parting with her. Great fun to drive.

Anyway, back to the problem at hand. Changed front wheel bearings yesterday. Both new boots/gaiters were destroyed. Hmm strange. Took them off, new bearings, car back together. Checked how the springs were riding and the bottom of the strut is hard up against the bumpstop!!!!

No wonder the ride is so hard.

On the phone to Eibach and Bilstein just now, apparantly the b4 dampers are only to be used as direct replacement of oem dampers, so with original springs. Balls.

When assembling the new setup, I couldn't get the new oem spacers to fit on as they pushed the top nut up and the nylock wasn't engaged. Currently there is 8mm of thread showing at top of damper.

So. Has anyone else had similar experience with Eibach pro-kit and Bilstein b4's

I'm considering turning the spacers down to 8mm to bring the arch away from tire. Installing in setup without the spring. Then jacking wheel up to see where bumpstop compresses too. Measure arch clearance and see if I can trim the bumpstop a bit. Bilstein reckon 20-25mm of visible strut when at rest is sufficient.

Either that or revert to oem springs...

What a pain. Guess it may have shortened lifespan of wheel bearings too...

[JackPong]

Turns out that due to thread manufacturing processes, nylocks must have a thread and a half visible in order to grip properly. So spacers are now 6mm. Doesn't seem a lot.

Experiments to follow.

[mark1gls]

If you lower the from the original height you will need shorter bump stops.
When I was young and lowered my car I cut the middle section out of the bump stop and glued to 2 bits back together so I still had the grove in the bump stop to hold the plastic dirt cover and the angled top section to fit inside the top mount.
I think you can buy shorter/ adjustable bump stops new, search Mk1 golf as well as Scirocco

I had bump stops like this and cut out one of the rings in the middle.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK1-2-SCIROCC ... Sw~gRV3atp

[Tim_R]

Its worth having a look at the b8 dampers, eibach recommend them to go with their pro kit springs. They are shortened stroke dampers with the bump stop built in. I have seen the same issue with bump stops and eibachs when using standard dampers on my own car.

[james butler]

likewise i have the b4s and eibach springs, i cut my bump stops which fixed the issue short term but to be honest if i hit any pot holes or bumps its like ive run over a curbstone.

[JackPong]

its like ive run over a curbstone.

Exactly!

The b8's are too rich for my blood... look great though.

currently feels like its shaking the car to bits, and a bit nervous about trimming bumpstop as the tire is already really close to the arch. Seriously considering reverting to original springs and b4's

anyone got original springs for sale?

[james butler]

where abouts are you in the country?

[JackPong]

just West of Reading, thoughts?

[james butler]

i have a set of front and rear standard springs that i would let go for £30 but they are heavy and my cars original springs.
i only kept them in case i wanted to go back to standard.
only trouble is how to get them to you

[james butler]

i would first cut off 25mm off your bump stops as they are cheap to replace and see how the ride is after.
i was riding the bump stops and the ride was unbearable but cutting them down made the ride a lot better so give it a go and see how it rides.
if you revert back to standard springs then you can always change the bump stops while your their for new ones.
my rocco is ok most of the time but like i said is bad when going over severe bumps too fast (but you will get that with any lowered suspension)

[james butler]

by the way your suspension is designed so when your suspension compresses the wheel pulls into the arch to clear it, so if you have standard wheels they shouldn't really ever contact the arch.
mine only just rub on lock if i hit a big bump, and have only had it happen once or twice since ive lowered the car and thats because i dont have standard wheels.

[james butler]

just West of Reading, thoughts?

thatcham/ newbury area then?

[james butler]

not 100% but the suspension in this ad should fit your car and for the price is cheaper than what i have to offer
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18922

just take the springs off and away you go

[JackPong]

Right on James, thank you for the advice.

Got a '91 Scala on snowflakes so might get away with trimming the stops and adding 6mm spacers. Give it a go this week.

Little further North than Newbury, Wallingford way. I'd keep your original springs if possible, I only got rid of mine as they didn't match... deathtrap

[james butler]

happy to help buddy, keep us posted how you get on.

by the way nice motor!