Suspension Install.

[dropkikgti]

I am going to pick up a bently this weekend and hopefully get cracking next weekend. I have never installed suspension before. I bought a H&R cupkit for the mk4 gti. Is there any odd situations I might come across? Any special tools needed? Any general advice??? Any info helps. TIA

dropik

[ShowCar]

It's pretty straight forward. There are plenty of DIYs on the 'tex. The passenger side can be tough to get out sometimes. On my jetta I made it out but on my gti I had to drop the subframe a bit. Either way, not big deal. Let us know if you've got any questions, there are a few of us that have done it a handful of times.

I'd find a pair of spring compressors and access to an impact wrench maybe. The bolt on the top of the strut can be tricky.

[Die Frau]

I too have done a bunch of these... impacts are not a must, but will help considerably.

[shaneco13]

That bolt on top of the strut is a bitch. not just tricky. We ended up having to make a tool for the allen wrench to fit through the socket

[Janasty]

pass. side axle needs to be removed from the hub...makes things easier getting the McPherson assembly out. Its hit or miss getting the axle out. Other then that its a breeze, rear suspension on a mk4 should only take you 30 minutes at most.

[ShowCar]

Yeah, rear's a breeze. I wouldn't mess with the axle and hub though. Usually compressing the spring what you can with the compressors and then then loosening the subframe bolts (not all the way out) will do the trick.

The top of the dtrut can be a bitch. I don't think I've ever done it without an impact, but I've never had too. Anyone with tips in that department would be appreciated I'm sure.

[Die Frau]

I have never had to pull the axle out of the hub...

I do not recall the size, but there is a spark plug socket that will fit the top bolt on the struts (albeit it is standard, not metric, so not exact fit.. but close enough). I say this because spark plug sockets come with a hex on the top, so drop you allen wrench through the hole and put a box wrench on the socket...

[dropkikgti]

All good info! thanks.

And easiest way to get a spring compressor is by renting through checkers?

[Digital K]

yep I also have a set you can borrow. I'll be gone this weekend though!

Anyone with tips in that department would be appreciated I'm sure.

vice grip on the socket itself with an allen wrench through the hole works great.

[ShowCar]

Yeah, you can rent them for free at auto-zone. They're also not too spendy if you wanna buy a set (I've seen 'em for under $20). I've got a set you could use, but I'm out of town for a while. Let us know how it goes!

[Speed4]

don't you need some kind of "spreader" for the fronts...seem to think it made things easier on the fronts.

[Digital K]

yeah, I put a flat head screw driver in, and turned it w/ vice grips.

[dubswede]

i know in my mk3 the strut top nuts in front were the same as my o2 sensor socket, which is missing one slot, so it works well with an allan as well.


or, buy kris's compressor.

[ShowCar]

don't you need some kind of "spreader" for the fronts...seem to think it made things easier on the fronts.

Yes! I almost forgot! I used lots of WD40 and one of these:

I think I used the 1/4 size and it worked pretty well. Tapped it into the gap in the back and then turned it with a 3/8" socket.

[Digital K]

you can also grind down a 10 or 8mm socket allen. thats what I used on the mkV