Mk4 A-chassis Front Suspension/Control Arms/Bushings

[Crispy222]

Recently purchased an '01 TDI for my GF. At 160k miles the suspension is just plain tried. For the most part the car has been maintained very well. So far I've acquired Bilstein shock/struts all around, H&R Race springs, Hotchkis 27mm front sway bar, H&R 28mm rear sway bar.

What else should I be replacing? I've heard strut bearings/mounts, ball joints, tie rod ends. School me on Mk4 weak points.

Currently I'm looking at this Stg 2 refresh kit from ECS for $180. Looks like it covers everything including the upgraded TT control arm bushings. I've heard these can fail. I have access to a good press, so replacing these wouldn't be an issue.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...Kits/ES248440/

[JUSTION337]

The LCA rear bushings tend to tear. Don't bother replacing them with stock, go with solid R32/TT bushings.

[Crispy222]

The ones included in the fore mentioned kit?

[TwoTone]

I would go through blunttech and they can ship them directly to you. I have had far too many issues with ecs to ever order from them again. Just give him the link to those parts and they can put the kit together for you.

[Brandon@Blunttech]

I'd love to help just shoot me an email . we can build you a custom kit if youd like. Sales@blunttech.com

[Die Frau]

The items shown in that kit should pretty much cover it all.

[Crispy222]

A little over the top for the TDI, but anyone ever run the tubular control arms with heim joints?
http://innfab.com/products/

[shrykFC3S]

Those are really new, lot's of travel for going low, probably a bit overkill unless you want her car to lay frame.

Also, take a look at the rear beam bushings, they start to go around that age.

[veedubmechanic]

FYI, way better kit then the ecs one. I have bought a few =)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Golf-Jett...ht_5230wt_1031

just needs upper mount bushings/bearings for another 28.00

[hamradio]

looks like those control arms have the crappy standard control arm bushings.

I have tt/r32 bushings in two of my cars and love them. my dad loves them in his mk4 2.0, as well.

[greengeeker]

What else should I be replacing? I've heard strut bearings/mounts, ball joints, tie rod ends. School me on Mk4 weak points.

Unless your inner tierods are bad go with their Stage 1 kit. IMHO the balljoints, inner tie rods and outer tie rod ends are NOT the weak points on the mk4 suspension.

As suggested take a close look at the rear swingarm bushings. If you're getting that far into the suspension it would be a good idea to just replace them. Maybe go with the Cupra R set from boraparts?

[Crispy222]

At a 160k miles and no record of them being replaced, I think I'll replace them and just get one alignment instead of one alignment once a year as parts wear out. It will be quite the change going from stock worn down parts to aftermarket spring, shocks/struts, sway bars, with new bushings, bearings, and the like.