Replacing suspension, what parts should I buy?

[Kingcodez]

I read KermaTDI is having a sale, so I'd like to buy this stuff today.
What do I need? So far I've picked Koni STR shocks and struts, the install kit, and a set of Koni lowering springs.

My 00 Beetle's suspension is pretty shot, clunks during cornering, like driving a big boat on the interstate.
http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_63&products_id=2091
This seems like what I need, as the Beetle is based off of the Golf, I'd buy Golf parts?


However on Amazon there's this: http://www.amazon.com/Eibach-8567-7...TF8&coliid=I2FWN15KI238PA&colid=16SLSHNF2Q69C
I can overnight it for $4.

Would that amazon kit include everything I need? I'm guessing not.

My budget is $1000 but there's a ton of other stuff I want to buy. I'd like a 2.5" drop, but I read that anything over 1.5 is risking damage, if I can keep it under $1000 I'll buy a skid plate for sure. Will the Kerma install package include everything else I need for strut/shock/spring install?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Redneck Truck]

I broke my oil pan without lowering the car at all. Rebuild the control arms, replace tierods, ball joints, wheel bearings, beam bushings, swaybar bushings, shocks, struts, mounts, strut bearings. Shouldn't cost you $500 in total.

 

[turbocharged798]

I agree, you would be amazed at how much your suspension would improve by just replacing worn components. Lowering it tends to worsen handling so its somewhat counterproductive.

 

[20IndigoBlue02]

You'll need:

Front strut mounts
Front strut bearings
Front lower stretch bolt & nylok nut

Rear shock mount
spring buffer
stretch bolt & nylok nut

also while you're there, consider:
front ball joint
control arm bushings
sway bar bushing

That's a rough list off the top of my head

 

[andreigbs]

I just finished a full suspension refresh on my '04.

Items replaced:
Front shocks
Upper strut mounts and bearings
Outer tie rod ends
Swaybar end links
Ball joints
Control arm bushings (TT upgrade)
Swaybar bushings
Rear struts with upper mounts

I did not replace the stock springs with 140K miles.
I also did not change the rear axle bushings.

Shocks and struts set was Bilstein TCs.

Overall very pleased with the ride. Very crisp and tight response.

I spent right at or slightly under $500 for the whole setup, installed myself in 2 weekends.

All it needs now is an alignment.

Stores for parts:
Metalmanparts.com
Boraparts.com
Idparts.com

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[fase2000TDI]

Bilstein TC's front and rear are the common sense, high quality choice for your car.

I prefer to buy from http://www.metalmanparts.com as prices beat the rest of the vendors, usually with free shipping, and the orders always ship fast. I've never received an order with a mistake either! It doesn't hurt that it's owned and run by a blue collar guy who repairs TDI's and sells parts.

 

[andreigbs]

Indeed, the best price I could find on the TCs and a great guy to deal with.

Highly recommended by another satisfied customer.

 

[RUGsux72]

I just installed Blauparts complete kit on my A3 Jetta, all 4 struts, mounts, bearings, bump stops, hardware,and dust covers...$219.00. So far, VERY Impressed! Grant it, all 4 struts were shot...none would gas back after compressed...300K+ miles will do that. I opted not to use the bolts on the front as they didn't have the spinnner washer and just didn't use'em. It's like driving a new car...my fahrvergnugen is back!

http://www.blauparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MGR1000-B

 

[Kingcodez]

I just finished a full suspension refresh on my '04.

Items replaced:
Front shocks
Upper strut mounts and bearings
Outer tie rod ends
Swaybar end links
Ball joints
Control arm bushings (TT upgrade)
Swaybar bushings
Rear struts with upper mounts

I did not replace the stock springs with 140K miles.
I also did not change the rear axle bushings.

Shocks and struts set was Bilstein TCs.

Overall very pleased with the ride. Very crisp and tight response.

I spent right at or slightly under $500 for the whole setup, installed myself in 2 weekends.

All it needs now is an alignment.

Stores for parts:
Metalmanparts.com
Boraparts.com
Idparts.com

Hope this helps and good luck.

Just the answer I needed, thanks.

 

[andreigbs]

Many thanks go to TDIclub gurus and pioneers, who have found out the hard way what needs replacing and where to get parts. I am only passing some of that on, glad to know it helps.

Edit: maybe this will help you, as it did me:

Complete shock and struts with mounts kit: $265 http://metalmanparts.com/product.sc?productId=280&categoryId=33

Front end bits with already pressed LCA bushings, you can call and ask him to upgrade them to the TT ones: $280 http://metalmanparts.com/product.sc?productId=486&categoryId=33

Free shipping too, all you need is the elbow grease.

 

[4motion]

I broke my oil pan without lowering the car at all. Rebuild the control arms, replace tierods, ball joints, wheel bearings, beam bushings, swaybar bushings, shocks, struts, mounts, strut bearings. Shouldn't cost you $500 in total.

Where do I get all these parts for less than $500?

 

[Ben Dur]

MJMautohaus had the HD suspension rebuild kit for around 300 when i got mine about a year ago

strut top bushings
strut bearings
LCA front bushings
LCA TT bushings
inner tie rods
outer tie rods
ball joints

i threw in
rear axle bushings for $30 ish
rear strut mounts $30 ish

it was the cheapest i could find ANYWHERE and shipping on alot of it was free

 

[4motion]

MJMautohaus had the HD suspension rebuild kit for around 300 when i got mine about a year ago

strut top bushings
strut bearings
LCA front bushings
LCA TT bushings
inner tie rods
outer tie rods
ball joints

i threw in
rear axle bushings for $30 ish
rear strut mounts $30 ish

it was the cheapest i could find ANYWHERE and shipping on alot of it was free

Are you talking about this one:
http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=3149
That's the only HD kit I can find in MJM that has multiple parts.

 

[Ben Dur]

sorry for such a delay...

no sir
that will not work

those ball joints are designed for the tt lower control arms. im assuming you havnt retrofitted those, or you wouldnt be asking these questions... lol

you should be looking at
http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/...th_Tie_Rods_Front_Heavy_Duty&products_id=2935

 

[Ben Dur]

or this
http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/...uspension_"MINI"_Rebuild_Kit&products_id=1684

if you dont want to mess with the tie rods

throw in balljoints, rear beam bushings, and rear mounts

should be under 150 that way.

 

[4motion]

Yeah... my car is almost bone stock lol. Thanks for the link, I will get some of that.

 

[MJM Autohaus]

or this
http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_6_17_43_160_6569&info=Meyle_1J0407181MY.2.SMK_Suspension_%22MINI%22_Rebuild_Kit&products_id=1684

if you dont want to mess with the tie rods

throw in balljoints, rear beam bushings, and rear mounts

should be under 150 that way.

We appreciate the order and referral to our site. Hope your kit is working out for you.

Like mentioned in this thread, we do have pretty aggressive pricing on suspension components and put "Package Deals" together on select kits. In addition to the Bilstein TC Shocks, we're also the Southern US Master Distributor for KONI Shocks and have amazing deals on KONI Red, Yellow and Orange Shocks, dependent on what springs you're running. Feel free to PM us here through the forums if anyone here feels like we can help them.