MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: gti tim on July 12, 2017, 10:54:07 am

Title: Lowering Springs
Post by: gti tim on July 12, 2017, 10:54:07 am

In need of some advice with lowering springs!

Im thinking of lowering my golf gti, contemplating on Eibach or H&R and either a 20 or 30mm drop. Does anyone have any experience with this already? Any known issues with rubbing? Will the arches need to be rolled?

Thanks!  :happy2:
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: Dan_FR on July 12, 2017, 11:42:47 am
Either will do the job without any issues, no rubbing etc.

I have H&Rs on mine
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: pudding on July 12, 2017, 11:51:44 am
Depends how hard you drive it and what condition the dampers are in, negative camber amount, wheel offset etc.

I run -20mm VWR springs & dampers, standard geometry, standard ET51 wheels and I get slight rubbing on the front arches when I throw it into a tight corner at speed.

When I fit some camber plates, I'll knock the camber out to -1.5 or so, which should sort that.
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: Shoduchi on July 12, 2017, 12:12:05 pm
I have H&R -30 mm springs with Koni Sport dampers, H&R ARB (26/22 mm) and ET45 8x18 wheels and I can trow the car at corners at whatever speed without rubbing issues after removing the top front wheel arch liner screw. :smiley:

It's still comfortable enough for daily driving.
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: pudding on July 12, 2017, 12:21:38 pm
Yeah I think mine is hitting that screw, although I can't see any witness marks under there.

Does the arch liner flop about if you take the screw out?
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: Stig_gti on July 12, 2017, 12:31:47 pm
I had same problem on my mk6.
When I removed the screw I bent the arch liner above the fixing where the screw would of originally went. Job done no sagging of arch liner. Nice and tight.
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: Damian @ DPM on July 12, 2017, 12:49:18 pm
As mentioned you'll be fine with either without rubbing. I'd say the Eibach's edge it in terms of comfort but not a great deal between the two, I'd suggest making your choice on the drop preference.

Damian @ DPM Performance
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: AJP on July 12, 2017, 12:52:14 pm
Yeah I think mine is hitting that screw, although I can't see any witness marks under there.

Does the arch liner flop about if you take the screw out?
You can tuck the liner behind the metal tab that housed the screw, then carefully tweak the tab up a bit to pinch it all into place.

I say carefully, because when I did mine I think I pushed the tab too far on one side and it made part of the liner near the front of the arch pop out, towards the tyre. I had to trim that, as it was catching the tyre once I was down on coilovers.

Also there's a little plastic nut/retainer behind the tab that you'll need to hoik out.

Point is, do it properly (unlike me) and you'll be fine! :)
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: Shoduchi on July 12, 2017, 01:55:45 pm
AJP explained it thoroughly. :happy2:
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: GTI8v on July 12, 2017, 09:25:05 pm
Just had H&R fitted on mine. Love them, sits lovely, although I've read they might settle a little bit so will look even better  :happy2:
Rides a tad firmer than standard but certainly not crashy
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: RobC on July 13, 2017, 12:10:38 pm
Ive found these online/eBay, seems like a steal compared to full H&R Cup Kit!

http://www.tdcautomotive.com/eibach-lowering-springs-bilstein-shocks-kit-vw-golf-mk5-1-9-2-0-tdi-1-4tsi-1-53.html (http://www.tdcautomotive.com/eibach-lowering-springs-bilstein-shocks-kit-vw-golf-mk5-1-9-2-0-tdi-1-4tsi-1-53.html)

Anyone had any experience with this setup?
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: pudding on July 13, 2017, 12:19:03 pm
B4 dampers is Bilstein's OEM equivalent range, and they're not that great in my experience.  Seems like a good deal.  "Unbranded" further down the page is slightly off putting, mind.

Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: Shoduchi on July 13, 2017, 12:39:59 pm
B4 dampers is Bilstein's OEM equivalent range, and they're not that great in my experience.  Seems like a good deal.  "Unbranded" further down the page is slightly off putting, mind.
Not sure but I think the OEM suspension being Sport has dampers more like the Bilstein B6 or B4 Sport. I'd never go for such low quality suspension. Eibach Sportlines springs aren't that expensive (H&R -30 mm are a fair bit more) but good dampers are also a must have to guarantee that the car handles well.
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: RobC on July 13, 2017, 12:45:56 pm
B4 dampers is Bilstein's OEM equivalent range, and they're not that great in my experience.  Seems like a good deal.  "Unbranded" further down the page is slightly off putting, mind.

Good to know about the B4's  :happy2: I assumed it said unbranded as it was probably a selection box in the back end of the site and so couldnt pick BOTH Bilstein & Eibach.

Ill keep my sight set on the H&R Cup Kit then I think  :drinking:
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: ROH ECHT on July 13, 2017, 07:18:20 pm
I'm lower(23-7/8" to 24.0" to top of wheel arch @ center) on H&R supersport springs with Bilstein B8's...I have 18x8 45et wheels with 225/40-18 tires mounted. I have Both Front & Rear H&R ARB's. There's no rubbing at all regardless how aggressively I approach and conquer turns. If rubbing at a 30mm drop...add ARB's because an 18x8 45et, or more, offset shouldn't rub at all. Maybe a wheel @ 8" width having less than 45et and with a 235 series tire on oem ARB's will rub....but it can be easily remedied.

I did not remove the front liner screw...but I did bend the tab up and out. Without doing anything you can just simply push upward, and outward, a bit forcefully and the tab will be clear with the screw intact...I didn't even see cracks in the paint at the tab when done.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4253/35574443511_20359a6a1a_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WcAjEk)
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: pudding on July 13, 2017, 07:55:35 pm
Yeah ARBs is another way to reduce rubbing.  I'm not really a fan of them though because of their negative impact on ride quality when you hit bumps mid corner, so I prefer to do it with spring rates instead, and keep the standard ARBs.

Nice car  :happy2:
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: Rigsby on July 16, 2017, 04:58:36 pm
Anyone fitted the ST springs?.......fairly new on the market
Title: Re: Lowering Springs
Post by: Bozz on July 16, 2017, 07:18:57 pm
Hi mate, I went for the Eibach Pro srings on mine, They don't lower it to much but do improve the handling no end. Good luck whatsoever you do.