Age old questions....

[jonathanfenton]

I am going to renew my suspension this weekend. I am due an MOT soon and i know one of my rear springs are "cracked/snapped" so going to renew both back springs. But i have recently cracked my sump. I live in the countryside so sitting low is a no no. I have noticed the car is sitting quite low... i am going for soft springs/shocks as the car is 10 years old. I want to raise and firm up as i am getting some nasty noises when going over pot holes. Apart from the obvious
2 x front shocks
2 x front springs
2 x rear springs
2 x rear shocks

Anything eles i should be weary about? Any bolts or anything i need to order as well as? Just general advice please! I am going for stock springs and suspension from VW btw.

Any Tips/Hints Appreciated!

[jonathanfenton]

Bump..... Any one everchanged suspension?

[imortalmonkey]

Make sure you get front and rear shock mounts too,especially at the rear,mine were awful.

[jonathanfenton]

Well i have stripped down suspension and had to cut a trackrod end off.. long story... i ordered all new bushes for the anti roll bar as i was told it was a source of knocking noises. I have taken them all off tonight in prep and they dont look too bad to me :S. Could just be my eyes tho. Baught the new claps they have the little grooves in them to hold the bushes more secure... dismanteled the nearside spring and shock and all the mountings and stops seem ok. I have been doing it for 7 hours now and i think i am going to call it a night and strip the offside tomorrow when i get the parts. I have never taken a spring or shock apart or even off a car but they seem ok to me :S. I think it will benifit sitting a little higher on firmer newer springs tho... i keep scraping my bumper on the country roads and pot holes and then i killed the sump. Then theres the speed bumps when i go over them i occasionally hear the sides of the car or "skirts?" smash into the speedbump.. anyways got rentagob. Will let you know when i have put it all back togeather...... GoodNight!

[TDiBoraSam]

By raising the car up, will this not make the suspension softer? I thought that lowering made suspension stiffer.

If your car bumper is scraping the road there must be something seriously wrong, and the ride must be awful?

[jonathanfenton]

By raising the car up, will this not make the suspension softer? I thought that lowering made suspension stiffer.

If your car bumper is scraping the road there must be something seriously wrong, and the ride must be awful?

Just a case of soft springs. I have fitted all the new suspension now and the ride is great. The front of the car is sitting higher and for want of a better word "perky". Looks and drives nice. No longer bumps and bangs over potholes now. Those bushes seem to be doing the trick... Glad i invested it in now