Whats gone wrong, Car higher on front end after overhaul :(

[scirocco_ne]

Well nothing ever goes right for me so how could a suspension swap over go smoothly too haha

It took 2 days as i think this car has NEVER seen grease so every pinch bolts etc was corroded in place and took hours of heat and force. The ball joint pinch bolts stuck in place even with the nuts off and some serious hammering

But i got the car all finished off a few hours ago before the snow landed so all is well on that front.

However the front end is now clearly sitting above the rear.

Does it look standard? or has bilstein demonstrated exceptional stupidity once again and sent me a standard height spring pair (the gts etc are 20mm lowered from factory) . They were very vague about it when i raised the issue before i got them.... Or was the car already lowered additionally and ive just put it back to standard?


I have attached a picture so look forward to your responses :) I really wish this had not happened as it means one way or another more work is needed :(

Mick

[mark1gls]

As the springs are new it could take a few days to settle, when changing the rears did you check/replace the rubber bushes on top of the rear struts? They can go flat over time meaning the rear sits lower than the front.

What springs and shocks did you get?

Coat the exposed threads with cooper grease as it helps keep the rust at bay, I also coat any bolt which goes through things like the rear bolt and nut at the boot of the rear strut.

[scirocco_ne]

I only changed the front set up, struts etc

I missed that out originally Sorry.

I fitted all good spec stuff. Billy arms, billy b4 dampers, billy springs, polybushs all round, new ball joints, arb the lot :)

[mark1gls]

What was the drop of the spring?
Did you compare the height of the springs with the old ones you took off?

Have a look at this thread, you can see the difference in the rear mounts, mine was even more squashed than those in the picture but if you do change them it will increase the ride height at the rear.

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.ph ... laced-rear

[scirocco_ne]

What was the drop of the spring?
Did you compare the height of the springs with the old ones you took off?

Have a look at this thread, you can see the difference in the rear mounts, mine was even more squashed than those in the picture but if you do change them it will increase the ride height at the rear.

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.ph ... laced-rear

Because of the weather and rush i was in i never compared springs. They are still on assembled struts i took off :(

Does the front end look about right to other people height wise or high?

Thanks
Mick

[scirocco_ne]

I would be very grateful if anyone could help me out today so i can still call companies etc.

I really need to establish if i have the wrong springs, tired rear sus or already lowered motor Asap.

Thanks

[BlackGTX]

Did u compress the springs and do the top caps up all the way, sometimes the topmount isnt as low on the shock as it could be

[scirocco_ne]

Did u compress the springs and do the top caps up all the way, sometimes the topmount isnt as low on the shock as it could be

Yeah they needed compressing and i thought the springs would locate themselves once on the road if out a tad. They where in place on the lower cup definitely.

I maybe need someone with a standard car to measure the arch gap for me at the front. The gap on the rear arch lip to tyre is 40mm so maybe the rear is low already

[blakey]

Looking at the photo, I would suggest that it will settle but to about standard ride height.

Only other thing is making sure that the wishbone bolts were tightened with the vehicle weight on the ground, otherwise you will effectively have a preload holding it up, and the bushes will then wear prematurely.

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[scirocco_ne]

Looking at the photo, I would suggest that it will settle but to about standard ride height.

Only other thing is making sure that the wishbone bolts were tightened with the vehicle weight on the ground, otherwise you will effectively have a preload holding it up, and the bushes will then wear prematurely.

Sent from my Moto Z2 Play using Tapatalk

Thanks. So maybe the back end is just really tired ey?

And the wishbone bolts were tightened with a jack under the sus arm to simulate them been in position.

Thanks
Mick

[mark1gls]

Easy way to tell if the car is lower is look at the wishbones, if they are horizontal to the floor then it’s standard height, if they are slightly angled then it’s lower.

Looking at the picture I think you are at standard height.

[mark1gls]

Standard height on my Mk1 Scirocco



40mm drop on my Mk1 golf.



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[scirocco_ne]

Standard height on my Mk1 Scirocco



40mm drop on my Mk1 golf.



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You Sir are a lifesaver thank you. I will have a look when the snow lets up :)

[BlackGTX]

Silly question, the back isnt being held in compression by the hand brake is it?

[GT_II]

The outer lip of the wheel arch measures around 61cm from garage floor all round on my unmodified '92 GTii. But I am sure with brand new springs, the car would sit a cm or two higher.