Suspension Upgrade

[Zak99b5]

The oranges are good enough that I’m happy with them. Springs are a definite keeper.

It doesn’t help that doing the fronts (especially the right) is such a pain in the ass. Add into that, the spot where you put the spreader is a bit chewed up on both my knuckles, so it doesn’t open them up quite as much as it should. Thankfully I’m satisfied with this set up, so I'm not feeling an itch to get back under there.

 

[STDOUBT]

Regarding the chewed up effect in the strut seat, check out this gozmo I just ran across today:
HAZET 4912-5
ebay has chinese knock-offs of course. Looks like it would be much kinder to the seat slit.

 

[CantWrite]

That tool looks handy. When I replaced my struts, I grabbed an Allen wrench that just barely fit in the slot and then twisted. Worked well but I have very little rust to deal with.

Car and suspension look great!! I was ready to spend the money on expensive suspension with my mtn commute, and to credit IDparts, they actually talked me out of spending the money and just got factory replacements. I appreciated that!!

 

[csstevej]

That’s a pretty slick tool.

 

[Zak99b5]

That tool looks sweet. My plan moving forward was to use a cold chisel (I have a nice set from my dad). Nice to see that option though.

 

[ts888]

Metalnerd sells a version of that tool for $15 VW/Audi Tools - Sockets, Drivers and Bits - SubH Part MN3424 - Strut Spreader Bit (metalnerd.com)

 

[Zak99b5]

I did buy the metal nerd spreader from IDParts.

 

[Zak99b5]

After driving the car a bit over the break and a full week of commuting, I can confidently say that I do like this suspension very much. Solid, planted ride, quick weight transfer without a ton of body roll in twisties (though the rsb undoubtedly is a significant contributor to this, remember I had it on the old suspension as well, so the difference I'm noting is the dampers and springs).

Picked up my son and his friend from high school track practice yesterday. They are both over 6' tall, and they both got in the back seat for the ride home (why???). I was expecting to bottom out in the rear over the collection of potholes Albany calls streets, but we did not.

 

[irvingj]

Zak -- So I've always disliked the way my wagon will rise and dive under acceleration when shifting -- suspension has always been a bit too squishy for my taste. Some years ago I replaced the OEM shocks/struts with what at the time were called "Koni Reds" from idparts -- what's the difference between them and "orange"ones you used? Are the orange ones the STR.T model?

By your description above, it sounds like just what I'd like to have -- not race-ready but stiffer, without losing any more of my precious ground clearance.

 

[Zak99b5]

The oranges are indeed the Strt shocks & struts. I am not positive, but I think the reds were replaced in the koni lineup with the strts. But I wouldn’t hesitate to use Nuespeed SofSports with the reds.

Also, H&R OE Sport springs are another option that will increase spring rate but not lower that much. I do not have personal experience with them, though, so I cannot comment on handling and ride. They do get good reviews.

 

[PakProtector]

The pita feature I find removing struts is the tab prevents the spreader tool from sinking very deep. A wee bit o' work with a grinder on the new struts allows the tool to be adequately buried in the knuckle split and opening them up is then quite easy.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[Zak99b5]

If you're replacing the struts, that locating tab can just be bent up and out of the way. If you're reusing them, then I'd just the same but carefully and as little as possible.

 

[braddies]

A 1/4 inch-drive ratchet fits right into that space and turning it 45° will open it right up, insert below the tab and there's plenty of clearance

 

[Zak99b5]

Not when the cast iron is chewed up a bit in that spot, though.

 

[braddies]

Ah, haven't run into that yet

 

[Nuje]

Not when the cast iron is chewed up a bit in that spot, though.

Yep - that's a thing.

 

[J_dude]

I may have missed it, did you mention where you bought the springs?

 

[Zak99b5]

I don't remember tbh. On the Nuespeed website they are like $290. Think it was urotuning that had them for like $270. Not a lot but.

 

[Judson]

Ecs Tuning has them for $284 with free shipping.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-neuspeed-parts/sport-spring-set/55.10.74~neu/

 

[J_dude]

Ecs Tuning has them for $284 with free shipping.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-neuspeed-parts/sport-spring-set/55.10.74~neu/

Yeh, free in the US. I suppose I could get them shipped to my buddy’s address stateside...

 

[KrashDH]

Yep - that's a thing.

It for sure is. Didn't idparts sell a "larger" spreader tool at one point?

I remember bringing this up on the forum at one point about how the cast knuckle can get worn in that location enough to not let the gap spread enough to remove the shock. I was told at the time that no one had heard of that problem...

 

[Zak99b5]

It for sure is. Didn't idparts sell a "larger" spreader tool at one point?

I remember bringing this up on the forum at one point about how the cast knuckle can get worn in that location enough to not let the gap spread enough to remove the shock. I was told at the time that no one had heard of that problem...

When I need to do front suspension again, I’m just going to buy new (or junk yard) knuckles. I really had to hammer the knuckle onto the strut on the right side to get it to seat fully. I don’t want to fight it on the way out as well.

 

[J_dude]

When I need to do front suspension again, I’m just going to buy new (or junk yard) knuckles. I really had to hammer the knuckle onto the strut on the right side to get it to seat fully. I don’t want to fight it on the way out as well.

Good excuse to upgrade to 1.8T or TT knuckles while you’re at it.

 

[Zak99b5]

Good idea.

 

[J_dude]

Ecs Tuning has them for $284 with free shipping.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-neuspeed-parts/sport-spring-set/55.10.74~neu/

Same price as UroTunings sale price lol. I think I'll just end up ordering from ECS and ship them to Montana.