MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: mortygttdi on May 05, 2010, 06:02:24 am
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I've had to take my FK coilovers off due to one of the damper inserts leaking :confused: Once I got them off I've had to cut the locking rings off cos they welding themselves to the struts :sad1:
I've ordered a new insert and some new locking rings but wanted to ask your opinions do I put the coils back on or sell and buy lowering springs, I've put the original springs and dampers back on and they feel brand new?
I've also replaced the drop links with new standard ones but also bought some new FK short drop links to replace the worn ones,
I've also bought and replaced the front wishbone front and rear bushes with proflex ones not the WALK kit but just poly bushes.
Feels nice and tight again but like the lowered look of the golf and the handling was so much better with the coils I'm really undecided
Your opinions welcome
Cheers
Darren
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fss4%2Fmortygttdi%2F30092009288.jpg&hash=321a986151a355c91154630119b5d316d064ea75)
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Well, you asked for opinions, so..
Your saying that your "handling was so much better with the coils" tells me that you'll really miss not having them every time you have the opportunity for some spirited driving. Sure, you'll get used to not having them, but.
Personally, I rate improving/enhancing the GTI's oem handling as a high priority. There's nothing quite like getting a section of road or track nailed and smooth flowing.
You sacrifice a wee bit of ride comfort but how much that bothers you depends on you personally.
The Slippery Slope beckons yet again!
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If your dampers are in good condition I would buy some sportlines and stick them on! My car drives great on this setup, it's cheap and easy and it is plenty low enough. And in reality, the standard setup of the gti is more than capable for the majority of drivers anyway... Just another thought :smiley:
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And in reality, the standard setup of the gti is more than capable for the majority of drivers anyway :smiley:
....Absolutely. The standard GTI suspension on the Mk5 is excellent. It's only us boy-racers and OAPs (and Hurdy) who demand a bit more. :evilgrin:
Like many of use here, I didn't mod my suspension because I thought the standard one was crap. I also didn't do it just for looks or show purposes.
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Must be getting old - I don't like when the ride height gets dropped more than 20mm or so.
Regards the handling - is fine as standard - could do with less body roll though, ARBs sort this? Do ARBs decrease comofrt / ride quality?
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Must be getting old - I don't like when the ride height gets dropped more than 20mm or so.
Regards the handling - is fine as standard - could do with less body roll though, ARBs sort this? Do ARBs decrease comofrt / ride quality?
....ARBs will solve body roll and consequently less body roll = more comfort cos you ain't being flung about as much.
Don't worry about the ride height feeling - When you get over 50yo you'll start wanting to get on down. :evilgrin:
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If your dampers are in good condition I would buy some sportlines and stick them on! My car drives great on this setup, it's cheap and easy and it is plenty low enough. And in reality, the standard setup of the gti is more than capable for the majority of drivers anyway... Just another thought :smiley:
The problem with lowering springs on OE dampers is that you are shortening their travel which in turn will shorten their life as they arent able to fully extend as they can with OE springs. Shorter springs result in more pre-load being applied to the damper all of the time and the shorter travel with increase the chances of bottoming. Both of which will be over stressing the dampers internals.
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I really rated the AP coilovers on mine when i eas in germany as the roads were good. however since moving into medway, kent where the roads are absolutely horrendous, i found they were a little to harsh. id be tempted to go wit the lowering sprins,
but i wouldn't match lowering springs to std dampers as you will compromise the damping which is prably more improtant than the spring stiffness. id be matching the springs to a good set of after market dampers such as bilsteins or FSDs.
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this is the reason i put kw varient 1 coil overs as they are made out of stain less steel and don't rust....
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^^^^
Also why I chose KW-V3's over a track coilover (Clubsports?).
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Andy its nothing to do with the coilover bodies mate, mine are the fk highsport silverline which are S/S its the ally locking rings which are the same on all coilovers they weld themselves to the strut and need very regular cleaning which for me was every 3-4 months.
Unfortunately over the winter with the really bad weather :fighting: I had no chance to sort them and they just went bad...I actually had a 4lb lump hammer with the rear adjusters in a vice and went to town on them and got them off but just didn't want to do the same with the front dampers :scared: so have taken them to a fabrication company to let them take them off and re-cut the threads.
Once I have every thing back Ill make a executive decision and either sell and buy new spring and or dampers or just put them back on and blather wax oil all over them :grin:
Darren
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Andy its nothing to do with the coilover bodies mate, mine are the fk highsport silverline which are S/S its the ally locking rings which are the same on all coilovers they weld themselves to the strut and need very regular cleaning which for me was every 3-4 months.
Unfortunately over the winter with the really bad weather :fighting: I had no chance to sort them and they just went bad...I actually had a 4lb lump hammer with the rear adjusters in a vice and went to town on them and got them off but just didn't want to do the same with the front dampers :scared: so have taken them to a fabrication company to let them take them off and re-cut the threads.
Once I have every thing back Ill make a executive decision and either sell and buy new spring and or dampers or just put them back on and blather wax oil all over them :grin:
DaAndy its nothing to do with the coilover bodies mate, mine are the fk highsport silverline which are S/S its the ally locking rings which are the same on all coilovers they weld themselves to the strut and need very regular cleaning which for me was every 3-4 months.
Unfortunately over the winter with the really bad weather :fighting: I had no chance to sort them and they just went bad...I actually had a 4lb lump hammer with the rear adjusters in a vice and went to town on them and got them off but just didn't want to do the same with the front dampers :scared: so have taken them to a fabrication company to let them take them off and re-cut the threads.
Once I have every thing back Ill make a executive decision and either sell and buy new spring and or dampers or just put them back on and blather wax oil all over them :grin:
Darren
sorry Darren i most of misread your post-if you need to use a ramp thiers always mine at work you can use :happy2:
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I say get the coilies back on and slam it, jobs a goodun' :happy2:
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cheers andy thats much appreciated
Cheers mr rascal im going to see what sort of condition they turn out like and then plaster them in grease maybe slap them back on and see what they are like with the new poly bushes?
Ultimately I want a full respray and an S3 engine to go in so in the long run the suspension is going to need uprating :
Cheers
Darren
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cheers andy thats much appreciated
Cheers mr rascal im going to see what sort of condition they turn out like and then plaster them in grease maybe slap them back on and see what they are like with the new poly bushes?
Ultimately I want a full respray and an S3 engine to go in so in the long run the suspension is going to need uprating :
Cheers
Darren
With or without Haldex?
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cheers andy thats much appreciated
Cheers mr rascal im going to see what sort of condition they turn out like and then plaster them in grease maybe slap them back on and see what they are like with the new poly bushes?
Ultimately I want a full respray and an S3 engine to go in so in the long run the suspension is going to need uprating :
Cheers
Darren
With or without Haldex?
....Now there's a question! :popcornsoda:
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without :happy2:
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without :happy2:
I guess coming from a diesel you're used to torque steer and wheel spin :wink:
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Ho yes, had my fair share of wheel spin and flappy hand shake :grin: also used to have a 300hp focus ST and a 320hp scooby so either way is good for me :happy2:
By the way would I just need the S3 engine and ED30/Capra K1 gearbox to mate to the engine to get FWD? or would I need to change the flywheel and clutch plates?
Darren
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Ok Daz...off the wall and a bit off piste but should be straightforward for a man with your talents......
Find a GT Spec Rocco thats been written off and buy the ACC Dampers and Controller and switch, then get some Eibachs and get it all wired up and working and have the first Active Chassis Control Mk5....
You've already got the level sensors on for the Xenons.
Its also more comfy as you can select comfort when you're cruising or SPort when hooning
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Its also more comfy as you can select comfort when you're cruising or SPort when hooning
....I think ACC is a waste of time. I hated the feel of driving in 'Comfort' and so after experimenting to and fro I stayed in so-called 'Sport', which wasn't very.
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I loved it on the R8 V10 - more comfortable and supple that a TT in Normal and perfectly taut in Sport. Electronically adjustable suspension is a brilliant innovation as it means you arent tied to one suspension setting for all occasions (and without the need to get dirty or even out of the drivers seat to change it) which therefore means that the car isnt as compromised dynamically for one purpose over another. It's still early days in lower level cars like the Golf but in my mind, it's the best of both - just like DSG is as a gearbox
It wont belong before there are aftermarket options to tune the software further still, just as there has been with DSG. There are already upgrade kits for some Mercs that run electronically controlled suspension.
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I loved it on the R8 V10 - more comfortable and supple that a TT in Normal and perfectly taut in Sport.... It's still early days in lower level cars like the Golf but in my mind, it's the best of both - just like DSG is as a gearbox
....Yeah, but we're talking about how it is now and on the Golf platform.
I think you're doubtless right about ACC becoming much improved given more development in time.
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As with all things, you get what you pay for..
FK's are cheap, there not particularly good when there new, they wear out and then they break.. I have seen it over and over and over..
I would say your best bet would be to buy a set of KW V1's which should give you the lowering your after with the improvement in handling but will last too..
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As with all things, you get what you pay for..
FK's are cheap, there not particularly good when there new, they wear out and then they break.. I have seen it over and over and over..
I would say your best bet would be to buy a set of KW V1's which should give you the lowering your after with the improvement in handling but will last too..
Agree with that man, Stick to coilovers your regret downgrading. KW's, AP's and Eibachs all have better shocks and the adjusters are plastic so wont stick unlike the FK's. Ive got some eibach Pro-streets for sale if your interested :happy2: Same shocks as the stainless KW and with Eibach springs the best combo!
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how much ashley?
Dave i never really thought of that and it would be cool but i would have to drive a car with it on before spending money on it over some decent coil-overs
Think i might start stipping this out and selling things to get the engine in and sorted?
The big thing is i dont want to get rid of this golf cos its just not worth any thing so may aswell just strip and track it...
Darren
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when you pop to mine Darren,have a ride out in mine,and compare the difference in ride quality to yours
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an S3 engine you say? :popcornsoda: