MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: L_EVANS on June 16, 2020, 06:29:54 pm

Title: Front end looks too high
Post by: L_EVANS on June 16, 2020, 06:29:54 pm
Hi all,
57 plate mk5 gti

Replaced front shocks, springs, top mounts & bearings (oh and ball joints as they sheared when undoing). The old shocks were leaking and donking. Thought may as well do springs and top mounts etc... while at it.

Used Bilstein B4's and Lesjofors springs. Now the front seems a bit too high.

Ground to bottom of arch through centre of wheel is 573mm on both. Out of curiosity I measured the rear. One side is 560 and the other is 555. I checked all part numbers and they are all correct.

I've searched the forums but seems to be conflicting heights. Does anybody know the actual stock ride height?

Also I'm experiencing a single clunck when reversing while on full lock. Didn't do this before replacing front suspension. Any ideas?

Cheers in advance
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: TheBALDpuma on June 16, 2020, 11:01:23 pm
Springs will take a day or so to settle so will look like it's on stilts for a while
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: bobby_fodge on June 17, 2020, 08:55:45 am
Did you definitely seat each spring correctly on the perchs on the shocks?

The spring perches have a small indent into which you should seat the end of the spring.
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: titchy on June 17, 2020, 09:11:59 am
The clunk suggests as above the spring is not seated properly
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: Stupots on June 17, 2020, 09:48:22 am
@L_EVANS (https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=71191) They may well take more than a day or 2 to settle. My Sachs springs looked OEM again after 1-2 moths.
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: imprezzaworks on June 17, 2020, 12:24:47 pm
I replaced the fronts on mine and assured they were the correct kyb springs.  They were incorrect. Finding the correct lowered standard spring proved hard unless dealer only. Ended up buying h&r.
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: ROH ECHT on June 17, 2020, 10:19:02 pm
You might want to check the upper strut bearings are inside the upper mounts. They probably are, but worth a look if you have a jack. You can always use a pair of H&R OE front springs. with the ones you have in back. They'll drop the front near 20mm; https://www.ecstuning.com/b-h-and-r-parts/oe-sport-springs-set/54752-55/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_qb3BRAVEiwAvwq6VrvSnKFrJ-DLOBL768PntMhPvIXvZWwFjG2RygsKnLKvI_Bm8k0aPhoCWvwQAvD_BwE
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: imprezzaworks on June 17, 2020, 10:20:47 pm
I paid £180 for the h&r springs through ecp. Claimed the vat back. Car looks and goes great
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: L_EVANS_1 on June 22, 2020, 09:32:39 pm
Hi all, not been able to reply on my original account (L_EVANS), keep getting error message so created a new account. I have checked the fitment of springs and top mounts and all looks spot on. I have checked all part numbers with manufacturers (part numbers on box and parts themselves) and are all correct.

I have done quite a few miles now since initial post and they look a bit better. Hopefully will settle to OEM as Stupots said about his Sachs springs.

Still have this single clonk sound. Happens on full lock, both left and right and whilst going forward or reverse. No noises over speed humps or potholes. Rides and handles nice. I'm yet to have the alignment done since I replaced suspension parts. Could this cause a noise?

Also I believe the springs on the back are the originals, is it worth replacing these to match the fronts?
Title: Re: Front end looks too high
Post by: Stupots on June 23, 2020, 06:59:22 am
@L_EVANS_1 (https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=75196)

I replaced all mine in one go but it's certainly not a requirement, the important thing is to do front/back in pairs at least. The single clonk could be the top mounts/bearings, as titchy says, mine has done it... not since I replaced them, but certainly a while after. I would say it's very hard to see if everything is seated correctly, but also quite hard to get it wrong.

I think I used Sachs parts for the top mounts, but maybe I didn't do something quite right, but hard to get wrong. I'm going to order the TTRS genuine Audi top mounts and replace them at some point, in the hope it will cure my annoying single knock on 3 point turns (mainly when I'm straightening up)

Cheers

Stu