Post by: jacko17 on December 18, 2016, 06:19:57 pm
It's too low for me and I would like to heighten it a little but haven't got a clue were to start. I messaged the guy who I bought it off and he said the front has adjusters on and he had the adjusters for the rear and would post them but it's been over a week and I haven't revived them and would like to sort it out over Christmas while I have a bit of time.
What do I need to buy for the rears?
Thanks for any help
(https://s30.postimg.org/uprs7jb59/Screenshot_20161218_164039.png) (https://postimg.org/image/uprs7jb59/)
Post by: Andy on December 18, 2016, 06:25:12 pm
Post by: AJP on December 18, 2016, 06:52:09 pm
Basically your front springs are sat on a perch/collar that can be adjusted up and down the shock on a thread. The shock sits within the spring. Hence the name coil over. I'm guessing it'll be wound right down to the bottom. To adjust it you'll need a c-spanner - when you buy a set of coilovers you get one of these in the kit for adjusting the spring perch (and therefore ride height) up and down the threads on the shock body.
The rear is a bit different. The vast majority of rear coilovers for the mk5 aren't strictly speaking coilovers. The spring and damper are separate. To adjust the ride height on the rear there's a cup that sits at one end of the spring. The cup is in two parts. One threaded part stays in place against the car's suspension arm or the locator at the top end. The second part threads onto that part and is where the spring itself sits. Again, you adjust it with the same c-spanner.
A lot of people remove the adjuster in order to gain a further drop in ride height that couldn't be achieved with the adjuster in place. The downside to this is that the rear now essentially becomes a fixed height spring kit with no height adjustment. Then usually the fronts are wound right down to match the rear's new drop.
If you need to you should be able to order a pair of rear adjusters. You'll need to know specifically what coilovers they are.
As for the fronts, there's a fair chance the adjusters might be seized onto the threads. But hopefully you can budge them.
Get hold of a c-spanner and a pair of rear adjusters and it's an easy diy job to raise it up.
ETA: If you can see any branding, part numbers or logos on the shocks, take some photos of those and post them up. You need to identify exactly what you've got fitted. You'll have to jack the car up and take a wheel off. Use axle stands once it's up.
Post by: jacko17 on December 18, 2016, 07:28:10 pm
That's exactly what the guy said for the rears. Something to do with the adjusters sitting in the axle cup. I'll give him another message and see if he answers me.
It's the two platic side panels that are scraping and it doesn't sound nice. Rather just adjust the hight a but so it doesn't catch.
I finish work Wednesday so I'll jack it up then and have a look at the make.
Any idea how much they cost?
Thanks again
Post by: AJP on December 19, 2016, 04:02:33 pm
Thank you for the reply.When you say plastic side panels do you mean the arch liners, at the front? If so, do a search for the 'arch screw mod'. I suspect it's already been done but if not it might help.
That's exactly what the guy said for the rears. Something to do with the adjusters sitting in the axle cup. I'll give him another message and see if he answers me.
It's the two platic side panels that are scraping and it doesn't sound nice. Rather just adjust the hight a but so it doesn't catch.
I finish work Wednesday so I'll jack it up then and have a look at the make.
Any idea how much they cost?
Thanks again
As for the adjusters, they shouldn't be too expensive. I ordered a new pair for some Weitecs from Awesome GTI a while ago and I think they were 20 quid or so.
Post by: jacko17 on December 19, 2016, 04:38:00 pm
Mine are a little different though and seem to have a triangle shaped bit is the middle that seems to catch.
Got a reply from the guy I bought the car off and he's going to send me a link to the ones I need.
Hopefully get it sorted while I'm off over Xmas
Post by: jacko17 on December 19, 2016, 07:13:55 pm
Is there anything else I can get these are in Poland....
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Coilover-Spring-Adjusters-40mm-ADJUSTMENT-for-60mm-INNER-SPRINGS-ANODIZED-/172416037734?nav=SEARCH
Thanks again...
Post by: AJP on December 19, 2016, 08:21:20 pm
Right....he's give me a message back they're JOMS coilover on atm. This is the adjusters he says I need.What I'd do is google "mk5 golf jom coilovers" and see which of the bigger reputable uk companies stock the Jom coilover kits then give them a call. Most should be able to get some adjusters shipped out without too much of a delay.
Is there anything else I can get these are in Poland....
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Coilover-Spring-Adjusters-40mm-ADJUSTMENT-for-60mm-INNER-SPRINGS-ANODIZED-/172416037734?nav=SEARCH
Thanks again...
I've dealt with AKS before (as many of us on this forum have) - Alex and the team are very helpful and know VWs inside out. Alex is on here too. I'm not sure if they stock Joms, but even so I reckon he'll be able to help you out:
http://www.akstuning.co.uk/contact-us
Post by: AJP on December 19, 2016, 08:26:30 pm
It's the side plastic side panes on underneath on each side similar to this.....http://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Volkswagen_Golf_GTI_Mk_V/06-BODY-Under_Body_Tray_Removal/images_large/pic01.jpgWhere the green arrows are pointing? These bits do hang a bit lower than the rest of the undertray. And they're catching the road? If so I'd agree you're too low!
Mine are a little different though and seem to have a triangle shaped bit is the middle that seems to catch.
Got a reply from the guy I bought the car off and he's going to send me a link to the ones I need.
Hopefully get it sorted while I'm off over Xmas
Do bear in mind though that it's possible your undertray is sagging. It happened loads with the mk4, although I haven't heard it being such an issue with the mk5.
It'd probably help to get it up on a ramp or over a pit for a proper look. If it is sagging you'll want to get it fitting properly regardless of how low you are.
Post by: jacko17 on December 20, 2016, 05:26:49 pm
Had it on the ramp at a local garage to see what was scraping I initially thought it was my exhaust clamp. But when he put it on the ramp and looked it was clear that it was the two side underbody panels.
Emailed JOM today and asked about rear adjusters for the coilovers. Got a reply to say they do sell them £25 each. Had to phone up today to place an order should be here tomorrow.
The order is coming from venom sports. Must be a company linked to them.
Hopefully have it sorted soon
Post by: AJP on December 20, 2016, 05:37:48 pm
No, it's more where the red arrows arrows are the front and the back clear fine it's in the middle that catchesMust be really low if you're catching there. Were the panels damaged or lower than they should be? I very rarely get a slight scraping from something underneath over speedbumps. I'm only 30mm down on springs. I wonder if it's the same place for me. Rather that than any part of the exhaust though!
Had it on the ramp at a local garage to see what was scraping I initially thought it was my exhaust clamp. But when he put it on the ramp and looked it was clear that it was the two side underbody panels.
Emailed JOM today and asked about rear adjusters for the coilovers. Got a reply to say they do sell them £25 each. Had to phone up today to place an order should be here tomorrow.
The order is coming from venom sports. Must be a company linked to them.
Hopefully have it sorted soon
Just double-check which end of the springs the adjusters should go and you should be fine. Pretty sure it's at the top of the spring on a mk5. It'll probably only fit one way anyway.
Let us know how you get on.
Post by: jacko17 on December 20, 2016, 07:34:24 pm
The panels are quite weird on the sides, there's a triangular bit I ln the middle which is lowest part. On the right hand side that had cracked and abit has broke off. The left one is fine.
I'd rather just adjust the hight abit so there's no catching. It's a bump at work where it catches going into the car park. It's more of a bump that you get at a haven camp site (the only way I can think to describe it
Post by: jacko17 on December 20, 2016, 07:39:52 pm
I won't be doing it myself I'll be taking it to a local garage he will only charge me £10-20 it fit them.
Thanks for your help I'll let you know how I get on
Post by: jacko17 on January 18, 2017, 05:32:32 pm
Done the job car hasn't been scraping and all was going well :laugh: had to give someone a lift into work today and.....yes it was scraping again :scared:
It this part that is catching at looked under the car today and some of it has broke away....http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Bd8AAOSwU-pXveXS/s-l300.jpg does anyone know the correct name for them?
Are JOM coilover pretty much budget coilovers? Might have to get a different set or go back to standard suspension.
Thanks
Post by: AJP on January 18, 2017, 06:34:10 pm
Ended up getting them fitted last week finally.Jom are just about as budget as it gets. I've heard people saying they're a bit soft as coilovers go. Once you start tucking tyre you do need a fair bit of stiffness to avoid fouling the arches under compression.
Done the job car hasn't been scraping and all was going wellhad to give someone a lift into work today and.....yes it was scraping again :scared:
It this part that is catching at looked under the car today and some of it has broke away....http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Bd8AAOSwU-pXveXS/s-l300.jpg does anyone know the correct name for them?
Are JOM coilover pretty much budget coilovers? Might have to get a different set or go back to standard suspension.
Thanks
Can you not wind all 4 corners up a bit now you've got the rear adjusters in?
I'm not sure on the specific name of that piece of undertray, but generally speaking mk5s don't start scraping under the body before tyres rub arches. So maybe there's a bit of value in getting under the car and making sure everything is as it should be.
Post by: Adam0604 on January 18, 2017, 07:33:52 pm
You 100% need to get those C Spanners out and wind the coilovers up.
You'll be fine to not scrape if you make the very top of your tyre wall just about tuck in the arch.
I run a but lower than that but I have a lot of negative camber to avoid catching on the actual arches
Post by: jacko17 on January 19, 2017, 06:12:02 pm
Now the adjusters are fitted is it as easy as jacking it up, taking the wheel off and turning the adjusters with a c spanner? If it is I'll order a Cspanner from an Amazon and have a go.
I've had the car on the ramp at a local garage and it's all fine underneath you can see where it's catching the plastic underbody bit.
It's quite a weird bump at work where its catching. Its the sort you get on a holiday camp.... going into the car park at work but it's on a bit of an incline.
Post by: jacko17 on January 19, 2017, 06:15:36 pm
Im lowered about 80mm and only scrape my underside when going over the large speed bumps.
You 100% need to get those C Spanners out and wind the coilovers up.
You'll be fine to not scrape if you make the very top of your tyre wall just about tuck in the arch.
I run a but lower than that but I have a lot of negative camber to avoid catching on the actual arches
With myself in the car it fine, it's when I'm giving someone a lift. But I'd rather it not catch at all.
The car was lowered when I bought it and you couldn't fit your hand in the wheel arch.
Looks like I'll have to get the spanner out and have a Go.
Post by: Adam0604 on January 19, 2017, 10:55:13 pm
But yes, if they are on just get the c spanners out and wind the spring up. Should get the c spanners from the guy who sold you the car though, as not all c spanners seem to be the same. What I've found in the past anyway.
Post by: AJP on January 20, 2017, 11:18:19 am
Really weird that the adjusters weren't fitted to start with ... I thought they had to be on coilovers tbh.They do on the front as there wouldn't be anything for the spring to sit on. Definitely wouldn't work.
But yes, if they are on just get the c spanners out and wind the spring up. Should get the c spanners from the guy who sold you the car though, as not all c spanners seem to be the same. What I've found in the past anyway.
But on the back, if it's a separate shock and spring setup (which afaik 99% of coilies on the mk5 are) the adjuster bits can come out. Gives more lows but zero height adjustment
Post by: Adam0604 on January 20, 2017, 06:30:55 pm
Really weird that the adjusters weren't fitted to start with ... I thought they had to be on coilovers tbh.They do on the front as there wouldn't be anything for the spring to sit on. Definitely wouldn't work.
But yes, if they are on just get the c spanners out and wind the spring up. Should get the c spanners from the guy who sold you the car though, as not all c spanners seem to be the same. What I've found in the past anyway.
But on the back, if it's a separate shock and spring setup (which afaik 99% of coilies on the mk5 are) the adjuster bits can come out. Gives more lows but zero height adjustment
I could of sworn the adjusters are still on my rears on the FK Highsport coilies. Either that or I'm dreaming things. Definitely didnt have to take the lot out to wind it up when I was too low, just jacked it up and did it still on the car with c spanners.
Post by: jacko17 on January 21, 2017, 11:09:39 am
Well when I got the car it had the adjusters on the front and I think he did have them on the back but he took them off to get it lower. He was going to send them me in the post but then said he couldn't find them so I ended up just ended up buying a pair myself. I did buy a Cspanner online. Looked a lot bigger in the picture...not sure if that will do the job.
Only way to find out I'll jack it up and have a go over the week end. Thanks again for the help