All Things Mk5 > Mk5 General Area
Where to start for improving handling?
smilespergallon:
I've got a 15-year old Edition 30. I've finished changing the fluids, filters, spark plugs, and diverter valve. The car is running noticeably smoother and perceptibly faster.
Where would you recommend I should look for improving the handling? I'm not looking to turn it in to a track car or anything. It's my daily and I just want to tighten things up and try and get the car back up to it's former glory.
I'm a beginner when it comes to working on the car as well, so ideally I'd like to be able to do these things myself.
I've heard that the bushes might be the best bang-for-buck when it comes to improving handling. If that's the case, what kind of bushes would you recommend (I've heard SuperPro are good) and which bushes on the car should I be looking to replace first? There seem to be a lot of different bushes in different places.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
breeze:
Front and rear drop links as well as rear anti roll bar bushes are all easy.
The rest do require you to do a bit more work (removing arms, front subframe) and may need geometry afterwards.
Front control arm bushes can also make a big difference if yours are original, just a bit more work and you risk snapping subframe bolts. Just remember that getting geometry done is important so you may want to bite the bullet and do more in one go.
How are your shocks and springs? Did you say standard? Replacing rear shocks and springs is really easy. I replaced with OE spec Sachs parts, if doing again I would look at the uprated but still OE height Bilsteins shocks. I’m not keen on lowered suspension for a daily. If your shocks are original or more than a few years old, don’t be surprised to find that they are blown (front and rear).
I went original specification bushes (either VW or good supplier like Lemforder), with Powerflex for the front and rear anti roll bars. This was to increase roll stiffness without lowering height (aftermarket bars would also have done that, this was a step in between).
smilespergallon:
Thank you so much, this is really helpful.
--- Quote from: breeze on February 05, 2023, 08:02:36 am ---Front and rear drop links as well as rear anti roll bar bushes are all easy.
--- End quote ---
Thanks, this sounds like a good place to start.
--- Quote from: breeze on February 05, 2023, 08:02:36 am ---The rest do require you to do a bit more work (removing arms, front subframe) and may need geometry afterwards.
Front control arm bushes can also make a big difference if yours are original, just a bit more work and you risk snapping subframe bolts. Just remember that getting geometry done is important so you may want to bite the bullet and do more in one go.
--- End quote ---
When you say do more in one go, which bushes other than the front control arm should I be looking at changing at the same time?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to the underside of the car and the locations of the bushes.
--- Quote from: breeze on February 05, 2023, 08:02:36 am ---How are your shocks and springs? Did you say standard? Replacing rear shocks and springs is really easy. I replaced with OE spec Sachs parts, if doing again I would look at the uprated but still OE height Bilsteins shocks. I’m not keen on lowered suspension for a daily. If your shocks are original or more than a few years old, don’t be surprised to find that they are blown (front and rear).
--- End quote ---
Yes they're standard. This sounds like a good next step after the front+rear drop links and rear anti roll bar bushes. Appreciate the recommendation on the Bilsteins.
Would it be beneficial to replace front shocks+springs too, but as a beginner it's easier to start with replacing the rear ones?
--- Quote from: breeze on February 05, 2023, 08:02:36 am ---I went original specification bushes (either VW or good supplier like Lemforder), with Powerflex for the front and rear anti roll bars. This was to increase roll stiffness without lowering height (aftermarket bars would also have done that, this was a step in between).
--- End quote ---
Thanks.
mjmallia:
Shocks and springs will be tired/dead (my shockd were dead and the springs were all mixed makes due to them breaking), bushes, drop links and ball joints also being tired and is where I attacked mine initially.
Fitted Bilstein shocks and Eibach sportline springs.......stance is perfect for me as a family/daily
The car felt very fresh after and still does, as I do not drive many miles since covid and hybrid working.
Still working through bushes as there are loads on the rear, and have a lack of spare time.
GilesWoodward59:
I upgraded the dog-bone mount, sub-frame bush & installed an anti-lift kit on my Edition 30 and it really improved the handling. The dog-bone mount and bush reduces the engine / gearbox movement and sharpens up responses. The anti-lift kit made a noticeable improvement to steering feel. Coupled with upgraded front sub-frame bolt & locking kit + wheel alignment the car felt transformed (although most of the above needs a garage to do the work unless you are feeling particularly confident!)
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