jettaroundtown
New member
2001 Jetta TDI. best bang for the buck suspension upgrades?
Suspension upgrades
- Thread starter jettaroundtown
- Start date
Andyinchville1
Veteran Member
Assuming the suspension is OK in stock condition (not worn out / sloppy) .....I would start with a rear anti sway bar
If some of your suspension needs work .... fix that first .... getting performance parts for whatever is being replaced.
You can refer to my signature for what I have done (most of the parts were added on as stock parts wore out and / or needed replacing .... some were added IF it made sense while things were apart and would have been difficult to take everything back apart to change something simple).
After the rear sway bar (and bushing if needed), I would do the struts and change the front springs and get better strut mounts (I added a 1" spacer while I was in there to run bigger tires when the old ones wore out ... knowing what I know now I should have gone 2" with the spacers but maybe in the future (I'm thinking lightweight lithium battery / carbon fiber hood may loose enough weight to get the 1" for "free"..... the lightweight mods are on my to do / wish list).
The skid plate does noticeably stiffen the front end ..... extra bonus it protects the oil pan.
I would LOVE to hear a review of some of the suspension goodies from here :
usrallyteam.com
They have other goodies also ..... I'd love to try some!
Andrew
If some of your suspension needs work .... fix that first .... getting performance parts for whatever is being replaced.
You can refer to my signature for what I have done (most of the parts were added on as stock parts wore out and / or needed replacing .... some were added IF it made sense while things were apart and would have been difficult to take everything back apart to change something simple).
After the rear sway bar (and bushing if needed), I would do the struts and change the front springs and get better strut mounts (I added a 1" spacer while I was in there to run bigger tires when the old ones wore out ... knowing what I know now I should have gone 2" with the spacers but maybe in the future (I'm thinking lightweight lithium battery / carbon fiber hood may loose enough weight to get the 1" for "free"..... the lightweight mods are on my to do / wish list).
The skid plate does noticeably stiffen the front end ..... extra bonus it protects the oil pan.
I would LOVE to hear a review of some of the suspension goodies from here :
Tubular Racing Subframe (MK4 all) : USRT | Real cars, Real Roads, Real Fast!
USRT Tubular Racing Subframe (MK4 all) - Our newest Tubular Racing Subframe substantially increases grip! It reduces front-end roll and keeps the tires planted flatter to the road
usrallyteam.com
They have other goodies also ..... I'd love to try some!
Andrew
Mongler98
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2011
- Location
- COLORADO (SE of Denver)
- TDI
- 98 Jetta TDI AHU 1.9L (944 TDI swap in progress) I moved so now i got nothing but an AHU in a garage on a pallet.
250 to 300 UTGQ tires.
What is Handling?
Hello Everyone, As some of you may know, I'm just a guest here, as I own a GTI, not a TDI, and have only recently registered with your very fine forum. But I'm a friend of Peter (Pyce), and having received an email from Peter saying that he's going to consolidate some of our postings from the...
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
What people mention here: Good dampers and tires will make a world of difference. Fresh control arm and rear axle bushings would help, too, if they're worn (and they probably are).
jettaroundtown
New member
Thanks for the input, folks!!
I'm going to replace inner, outer tie rod ends.
New shocks and all the bushings.
Any recommendations for the shocks? I am looking for a smooth freeway suspension.
I'm going to replace inner, outer tie rod ends.
New shocks and all the bushings.
Any recommendations for the shocks? I am looking for a smooth freeway suspension.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
My favorite is Koni Special Actives. If you want to spend less, the OE Sachs dampers work well.
chaoscreature
Veteran Member
"best bang for the buck suspension upgrades?"
My first question when someone asks this is always: What do you want to improve? Ride Quality, turn-in, corner exit oversteer?
I guess my point is there is no single answer to this question and like most things in life, suspension upgrades almost always involve some amount of compromise.
My first question when someone asks this is always: What do you want to improve? Ride Quality, turn-in, corner exit oversteer?
I guess my point is there is no single answer to this question and like most things in life, suspension upgrades almost always involve some amount of compromise.
How many bucks? Full front end from an mk1Audi TT makes a dramatic difference. Subframe, control arms, sway bar, spindles, struts, 1.8t calipers/rotors for small rims, TT calipers/rotors if you're running 17 or 18" wheels
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I assume you mean upgrade the performance of the suspension, not looking for "stance" or other bs. In order of importance:
1. Replace all worn suspension bits
1a. High performance driver ed training session
2. Sticky tires on light wheels, such as the Avus
3. RSB
4. Better dampers than stock (I like Koni Yellows)
5. Stiffer springs that do not lower more than 1/2" if at all (I like Neuspeed SofSports, but H&R OE sport are good too)
1. Replace all worn suspension bits
1a. High performance driver ed training session
2. Sticky tires on light wheels, such as the Avus
3. RSB
4. Better dampers than stock (I like Koni Yellows)
5. Stiffer springs that do not lower more than 1/2" if at all (I like Neuspeed SofSports, but H&R OE sport are good too)