Replacing suspension components - how hard?

[Manaz]

Hi all,

I'm considering putting the coilovers I bought into my Bora myself, as well as a suspension bushings "kit" designed to replace all the tired bushings in the front end (I know my LCA bushes are gone as well as the strut top mounts).

With appropriate tools (I have a mate with tools and the space to do the work), how hard would it be to do this myself? I don't have a lot of experience doing this kind of work (but am keen to develop it!), but I'd like to think I'm smart enough to follow instructions and get it done...

[GoLfMan]

mate its really pretty simple

just look for the bolts/nuts that holds it all together and remember where it all goes back... simple as that!

[Manaz]

I can do basic puzzles, so that's a good start. Hoping to get hold of some manuals/documentation too, just to be sure - if I can, I'll get photos taken of the whole process as well

What about pushing bushes into/out of mounting points - is that going to trip me up if I don't have appropriate tools?

[GoLfMan]

I can do basic puzzles, so that's a good start. Hoping to get hold of some manuals/documentation too, just to be sure - if I can, I'll get photos taken of the whole process as well

What about pushing bushes into/out of mounting points - is that going to trip me up if I don't have appropriate tools?

ive never done bushings before, so I cant offer you advice on that one!

I've wacked in coilovers into a mk1/mk3/mk4 and a Honda Civic before however and it was pretty dam simple

[Mrk_Mickey]

I recently did my front bushings with Aydan...we used his workshop press which made life blissfully easy. AFAIK it's possible to do it all without the use of a press; I think it's just a matter of persevering lol

[Tim]

control arm bushes arent overly difficult. But if you dont have access to a press I wouldnt go down that path. Drivers side usually involves lifting the engine a few inches as well. So the control arm bolt clears the sump

[qsilverza]

Pity you are in Syd Manaz, otherwise we could do ours together hahah

Look On vortex I found a guide there dont have the link on me now but he didnt put to many photo's unfortunately... For an R32 though...

[Manaz]

Pity you are in Syd Manaz, otherwise we could do ours together hahah

Look On vortex I found a guide there dont have the link on me now but he didnt put to many photo's unfortunately... For an R32 though...

It should be identical to on the R32 - the 4Motion Bora has the same componentry.

[qsilverza]

It should be identical to on the R32 - the 4Motion Bora has the same componentry.

Not Exactly,

Bora 1.8, 2.8-V6, 1.9TDi 4-Motion
99-00 FSD 2100-4042
Sport 8710-1337Sport 80-2806Sport
Bora 1.8, 2.8-V6, 1.9TDi 4-Motion
Front: with anti-roll bar attached to spring seat 00-02 FSD 2100-4042
Sport 8710-1385Sport 80-2806Sport


From memory the ARB does not attach to spring seats on the 04' R32's but I am not sure.

Here are some german instructions for the golf 4 2.8 v6 4motion ... can someone translate ?

http://finder.koni.com/pdf/1150-5057-manual.pdf

[goodfella]

is there an easy way to find out what I have, apart from jacking it up?

[qsilverza]

I am not sure Good Fella.

To get a translation go to translate.google.com and put in the koni pdf link ... It's not perfect though.

[Manaz]

Hmmm.

I noticed a "grumbling/grinding" sound out of the back right side of the car when doing a U-turn last night. I can replicate it on the back left by doing a "left-hand U-turn" (done in a quiet cul de sac for those wondering about me performing odd maneuvers on open streets). It's only apparent at low speeds (it's hard to do a U-turn too quickly).

Any ideas what it could be? I hope I'm not up for more parts for the rear suspension too!

I'm also considering a K-Mac strut mounting kit instead of the full ECS Tuning suspension kit, and then adding the R32/TT LCA bushings. That will give me adjustable camber in the front (particularly useful if the coilovers lower the car significantly), K-Mac have a part that allows rear-end camber adjustment too if I have issues at the back.

[Manaz]

Holy crap.

USD$200 for parts from ECS. USD$130 for shipping...

[Mrk_Mickey]

Holy crap.

USD$200 for parts from ECS. USD$130 for shipping...

GAP wins for pricing if you're replacing parts with stock, however if you're looking for aftermarket, unfortunately it's ECS..

I don't think this is the answer to your problem, but I know that at low driving speeds my bad wheel bearing makes a grinding noise because it isn't seated properly.

[Manaz]

Most of the parts in the kit are OEM, so I'll see if I can put an equivelent package together through GAP...

Nope, ends up being about $100 more expensive at GAP. Unless they can ship for USD$30, ECS wins there.

I know my stock suspension's rooted, I'm hoping it's just a symptom of that.

My wife's not happy with the costs that are adding up on this - doing the labour myself will help a lot here!