How To upgrade suspension 2.0Tdi Estate?

**WAB** · 13-02-2009,01:34 AM

Anybody able to give advice on upgrading suspension on my 2007 2.0Tdi Passat Estate?

It has standard 16" wheels, and suspension is a bit soft for the caravan I tow. At 75Kg noseweight in the van it still scrubs the mudflaps on the slightest dip in the road surface.

I was wondering about how to fit something stiffer?

Thanks for any advice available.

WAB

**james_tiger_woo** · 13-02-2009,10:09 AM

I think the mudflap scraping thing is common - I didn't realise it'd scrape with a 'van though...

**angus** · 13-02-2009,10:32 AM

Have a look for a pair of MAD auxilliary springs, they are an easy bolt-on (if available for this model) and work very well if pulling a van.
I`ve used them over many years on things as diverse as MG Maestros, Pug 405/406 and Cavalier SRIs, and cannot recommend them highly enough.

They are available - part No HV-199515 according to their info, fitting time 30 minutes.

Most productive half-hour you will ever have!

**james_tiger_woo** · 13-02-2009,10:47 AM

My attention has been grabbed - have you got a link to these?

**angus** · 13-02-2009,11:05 AM

Try:-

http://www.mad-suspension.co.uk/progressive.htm

**angus** · 13-02-2009,11:24 AM

Hey, WAB, as you have posted this on the `Caravan Talk` chat room as well, don`t waste your money on the rubber donut things as suggested on there, when it comes to suspension you get what you pay for.
The MADs work as [I]progessive[I] springs, which is what you need when towing, the rubber things just stop your coils compressing, and you wouldn`t replace your springs with wooden blocks, would you?

**WAB** · 13-02-2009,11:57 AM

Angus

Thanks.

Exactly - why thump up the suspension for everyday use?!!

Regards

Walter

**andy4976** · 15-02-2009,04:33 PM

Originally Posted by angus

Have a look for a pair of MAD auxilliary springs, they are an easy bolt-on (if available for this model) and work very well if pulling a van.
I`ve used them over many years on things as diverse as MG Maestros, Pug 405/406 and Cavalier SRIs, and cannot recommend them highly enough.

They are available - part No HV-199515 according to their info, fitting time 30 minutes.

Most productive half-hour you will ever have!

Thanks for the info Angus
In also tow a caravan with my 2006 Passat 2.0 TDI Sport Estate, and find it very bouncey, you mentioned your mudflaps scrape, on occasions my wheels have scraped on the inner arch wheel protector and thats nowhere near my van being fully loaded, I sent an email to mad as I'm def going to get a set of rear springs, out of interest can't see a price guide, what price did you pay for the set of springs HV-199515 .

Thanks

**Motorway** · 15-02-2009,07:23 PM

I can recomend the MAD progressive springs. i fitted a pair to my 2008 Estate last year, very good when towing my van has a very heavy nose at approx 90kgs and it rides level with four people in the car. very easy to fit as well, my father has the same car and i fitted the two pairs in a morning. if you do go for them the instructions are not as good as they could be. by far the easiest way is to remove wheel. put trolley jack under drop arm and remove bottom bolt. lower jack and spring will come out without a problem. the instructions show putting the MAD springs in with the spring in situe.. lastly inside the drop arm there is a plastic locator for the spring. this needs to be removed for the one supplied with the MAD springs to be fitted. refitting is reverse of removal. if all goes well less than 20 mins a side!!.

I got a deal from the manufacturer with having two pairs £15 off. ended up paying £90 per pair. excellent product, i had them on the B5 estate as well for three years.

hope this helps