Suspension upgrade for my old Mk2 GTI

[nel]

Hi Vaggie PHers,

A request for advice please. My trusty old VW Golf Mk2 (8 valve GTI) has just turned 110 k miles and is due a few upgrades to keep it fun to drive. In particular the springs and dampers need doing as the wallowing under braking into the corners is definitely getting worse. When I did the same upgrade to a Mk 2 in the UK many years ago the kit I used lowered it a bit and firmed it up no end - maybe a bit too much. Seem to remember that I used Eibach springs and Monroe dampers, but am not sure.

So what's now recognised as the best "fast road" damper/spring combination for these cars, retaining some comfort (i.e. not too crashy) but improving the handling?

Thanks in advance, and may the VAG be with you.

[_Batty_]

nel said:

Hi Vaggie PHers, A request for advice please. My trusty old VW Golf Mk2 (8 valve GTI) has just turned 110 k miles and is due a few upgrades to keep it fun to drive. In particular the springs and dampers need doing as the wallowing under braking into the corners is definitely getting worse. When I did the same upgrade to a Mk 2 in the UK many years ago the kit I used lowered it a bit and firmed it up no end - maybe a bit too much. Seem to remember that I used Eibach springs and Monroe dampers, but am not sure. So what's now recognised as the best "fast road" damper/spring combination for these cars, retaining some comfort (i.e. not too crashy) but improving the handling? Thanks in advance, and may the VAG be with you.

god knows what my Golf has but its awesome, lowered by approx 50-60mm
make sure you get all the anti-roll bar bushes done at the same time though, makes a wrold of difference!

M

[RacingTeatray]

You probably get a good answer on the Club GTI forums.

When I needed to do this a couple of years back on my old Mk2, I went with the Eibach 40mm lowering springs and Boge-Sachs turbogas shocks which were the standard package offered by GSF at the time.

Hmm. I definitely wouldn't lower a Golf Mk2 by 40mm again without rolling the arches. Mine had the optional BBS RM split-rim alloys and even although they are only 15 inchers, they would rub the arches under load. What is more, although the car really handled like it was on rails (would corner at astonishing speeds), the ride quality was abysmal and the ground clearance under the (standard big-bumper) front spoiler was not a lot more than 2-3 inches so it scraped on everything. Car did look good though (excuse cruddy pic):



>> Edited by RacingTeatray on Wednesday 17th May 11:25

[M3 Mitch]

I put a set of Konis on my 'rocco, no regrets. You don't need to change the springs unless you want to lower the car, and as noted you don't want to over-do that.

Only downside to the Koni adjustables is the instructions for settting them were crap, look at the Koni website. I set mine at like 2/5 turns and this made them stiff enough but not harsh.

I'd have things like strut bearings available while doing this job, or make sure the shop doing it has them on hand and understands what you want replaced "while you are in there" - BTW this is one of the beauties of DIY, assuming you know what you are doing, you change out just exactly what you think needs changing - no more, no less.

If you will keep the car long term I'd err towards renewing all the wear parts that come off during the job.

[_Batty_]

Just found out mine has non-adjustable Blisteins.
very very good and not too low.
HTH

Matt

[Fat Audi 80]

Billy's rule! I have them on my Audi S2 and they are lovely. The expensive but quality choice IMO

[nel]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll probably try new adjustable dampers all round and stick with the OEM springs for the moment - can always pop new springs on a later date if I decide to stiffen the car up.

Any of you got any opinions on replacing the various suspension bushes with poly bushes instead, seeings as I'll do them at the same time?

[iguana]

nel said:

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll probably try new adjustable dampers all round and stick with the OEM springs for the moment - can always pop new springs on a later date if I decide to stiffen the car up. Any of you got any opinions on replacing the various suspension bushes with poly bushes instead, seeings as I'll do them at the same time?

IMHO don't keep stock 8v springs, either 16v for subtle improvement & still ace for nasty b roads or a mild but uprated quality progressive spring- like Eibach, H&R, still fine on even nasty b roads, tho its is firmer & lower but still absolutely fine, dont get cheap crap springs, i have done before & they sag. Ive had eibach on a lot of my cars & they should be OE.

Yes poly bushes all round make massive diference, bigger than you'd imagine if they are worn, powerflex, not cheapest but considered best.

Im a massive Eibach kit fan on Mk2 & 3s, springs & dampers mate it to full pollys & uprated ARBs & you wont quite belive the diference. If you are local ive got an example of each you could go in sometime- missis's old stock 8v with slightly better dampers (sachs sporting) & another- my valver track slag with the whole hog done, but still quite mild springs & damping- still ace on bumpy b roads, power aside you can't really belive its the same platform its attached to such is the difernece & even bigger ARBs & firmer springs & dampers & going widetrack is again another jump.

>> Edited by iguana on Thursday 18th May 01:06

[_Batty_]

oooh widetrack...
any info on that please....
Love my 8v

[iguana]

_Batty_ said:

oooh widetrack... any info on that please.... Love my 8v

Sure- just buy this one of mine its already got WT fitted & fully pollybushed & youd be ditching the gay 8v for a proper engine too


Basically WT uses passat front end- wishbones, driveshafts, track rod ends etc, & hub (not wheel) spacers rear- which you can have machined in what ever negative camber you fancy.




advert here-

www.pistonheads.com/sales/78804.htm

>> Edited by iguana on Thursday 18th May 10:26

[_Batty_]

iguana said:

_Batty_ said: oooh widetrack... any info on that please.... Love my 8v Sure- just buy this one of mine its already got WT fitted & fully pollybushed & youd be ditching the gay 8v for a proper engine too Basically WT uses passat front end- wishbones, driveshafts, track rod ends etc, & hub (not wheel) spacers rear- which you can have machined in what ever negative camber you fancy. advert here- www.pistonheads.com/sales/78804.htm >> Edited by iguana on Thursday 18th May 10:26

under a grand
FFS man are you mad.
i *need* to sell my 8v.
hmm, now what can i sell?
Kidney?