front shock

[jond]

hi just want some info on changing front shocks and top mounts i have seen some shocks on fleabay for 15 quid each i think the are inserts how easy are they to change i have also seen the complete strut assembly on gsf for about 40 pounds per side any input on which i should buy or recommend a supplier or brand i want to keep the car standard by the way thanks

[ianaudia4]

The fronts are indeed inserts, easy enough to change if you have the tools and spring compressors. Recommend to change in pairs though.
GSF do sell gas shocks, which I used all round on my Scala. Always worth throwing on new top mounts while you are at it for what they cost.
You may have to have to have the tracking reset.

[jond]

thanks hopefully this should sort out my steering issues i will strip it down first so i know whats needed then call at gsf

[ianaudia4]

Worth calling GSF first to see what they have in stock! Are you a paid up member, if so you will get a discount at GSF.
Where are you based mate?

[jond]

quick up date removed the struts this morning the top mounts had loads of play you can wobble them about very easily could that be the reason for the steering pulling badly to the right or should they move about i will rebuild them with new inserts and mounts when i get chance also are the struts interchangable or left or right only just need to know so they dont get mixed up

[james butler]

quick up date removed the struts this morning the top mounts had loads of play you can wobble them about very easily could that be the reason for the steering pulling badly to the right or should they move about

im not so sure because my top mounts wobble when not under load but are solid with the cars weight on them. i think it when they are under load and you can wobble them its a problem,
or at least thats what my mot tester explained to me?

[jond]

thanks ive ordered a new set of top mounts any way so i will find out when i fit them checking the ones already fitted i notice that there is sideways movement where the metal collar fits into the top mount i do think that could be worn anyway and i suppose it wont do any harm fitting new the shocks have a lot of resistence when you compress them and need a bit of effort to open them up does that sound ok also the top mount kit has new plastic boots to fit onto the top of the shock how do i remove the washer fitted on the shock body to fit the new boots thanks

[mark1gls]

Always worth fitting new strut tops when changing shocks, the washer on top of the old shock should just pull off, it might of rusted on so might need a light tap and WD40.\
Don't forget you will need to get the camber and tracking set up again when you put it all together, it will also take a couple of days for the car to settle at the right ride height.

[james butler]

i way i found to get the camber angle the same after you have changed the shock is,
before you do any work put a straight edge against the bottem of the tyre and against the wing vertically then measure the gap between the straight edge and the top of the wheel and write it down. repeat for the other side then proceed to change the shocks.
after leave the camber bolts nipped up roughly in the same place then meaure using the straight edge what the new gap is and you should have enough room to adjust the camber untill you get it back to your origenal measurement.
worked for me and after had the tracking done where they could also measure camber. i was quite suprised how accurate this method is.

[go-for-it1]

Make sure you fit a new spacer in the top mount as they are a set length and wear over time giving up and down movement. Its the one about 1" long which sits inside the centre of the top mount and goes around the shock spindle. They are pennies from the dealer and need to be done when the shock is out so do it once and forget.

[jond]

fitted new shocks and mounts today on the drivers side the wheel camber is not right and i noticed when fitting the camber bolt that the special washer is missing any idea where i can get one as there arnt many golf or sciroccos in my local scrappy at the moment

[bengould]

Hi,

Not sure if these are still available from VW but worth taking the numbers down and asking...



Ben

[Village Idiots]

The later platform (A2?) used on Mk2 Golfs, Corrados, etc. did not have special washers, just relied on tightening everything up.

[jond]

thanks the washer i need is part number 19 in the diagram many thanks for posting i have found one at vw heritage for £2 but they are out of stock has anyone got any spare ones available i dont think it had one fitted since i got the car as before i overhauled the shocks and top mounts the top of the wheel leaned in now its the other way round while on the other side that has the washer it looks fine

[mark1gls]

Just turn the bolt around to move the camber, make sure the two bolts are loose.
If you can find a level ground, you can use a spirit level on the wheel so see if its set right, this only works on a level ground (most carparts etc are sloping I've tried) and if the spirit level fits flat onto the edge of the wheel NOT THE TYRE.
If its out, turn the wheel on full lock, loosen the bolts, turn the wheel back, move the car backwards and forwards so the wheel is flat, check you are still on level ground, check the camber and try to put your arms socket and spanner behind the wheel while lieing on the floor, hold the spirit against the wheel and adjust till level. tighten up the bolts and check again. Its a bit of a pain to do but possible, or take it to a garage with a ramp and the equipment to set it up for you.