Changing Suspension

[vwthunder]

I have just heard that my KW's are in

Does anybody know how hard it is to change something like this by themselves. I am sure it cant be that hard, most places want over $300 to do it. I think for them it is only a few hours work.

I want to start doing things to my VR6 and have been told by people I should start learning how to do things, as labour costs are very high on a old car like this.

Any tips, anyone done it before

Anything would be a help, Thanks

[MattyT]

I wouldnt exactly call a ~15 year old hatchbank an "old car". Something from the 1930's is an old car.

Swapping suspension is about 6 hours work for a trained mechanic, $300 seems fair. Its also major work, so if your a newbie with a spanner you'd be at it for a whole weekend, probably. I know I would.

[rayray086]

I was discussing this with Louis just last night. Changing suspensions isn't too difficult, but a much easier job with two. Things you need to watch for with most things mechanical is the amount of torque you apply to bolts/nuts. Also, it's good to mark where the bolts/nuts used to sit so you can match it up as close as you can when you fit the new ones on, so as to not disturb the alignment too badly (of course you'll need an alignment after you're done).

I was talking to Pedro today as well and he will be taking his suspension out to fix a few things. He was talking about making a DIY thread on it too, so that should help lots of people out

Swapping suspension is about 6 hours work for a trained mechanic, $300 seems fair. Its also major work, so if your a newbie with a spanner you'd be at it for a whole weekend, probably. I know I would.

Yep, took me a whole weekend, though I think for an experienced mechanic, it'll definitely be less than 6 hours, not accounting for troubles along the way or alignment.

[Tim]

not a hard job with the right tools and a bit of swearing. Biggest problem is sometimes bolts are seized and stuff. turns a few hours of work into a great ordeal.
Id get someone to set it up for u to be honest. Im sure their $300 would include a wheel alignment as well. So consider it $250 worth of install perhaps

[vwthunder]

I have watched 2 mechanics change my front struts before,
they had 1 on each side of the car, dropped the strut out and changed them around in about 20 min

[vwthunder]

Tim, you are the one who says to try things on your own lol

[rayray086]

Tim, you are the one who says to try things on your own lol

And it's good advice!

[Tim]

haha yeah.
Im also the one that had a seized lower bolt on a rear shock that took me about 5 hours to get out. eventually did it with a dremel and replaced the bolt!
Its not hard work. ive had my suspension out and back in on my own. Sometimes you need three hands though.

[sukebe]

It took me about 5 hours to change mine. I had never done it before and had no help, and I am not very mechanically experienced. The hardest part was getting the top nut off the front struts (I didnt have an impact/hammer drill)

[vwthunder]

Sounds good, if it took you 5 hours, hopefully a VW specialist should be able to do it in half the time

[rayray086]

haha yeah.
Im also the one that had a seized lower bolt on a rear shock that took me about 5 hours to get out. eventually did it with a dremel and replaced the bolt!
Its not hard work. ive had my suspension out and back in on my own. Sometimes you need three hands though.

Happened with one of my front struts Ended up buying a new nut and mount!

[cOS]

are you askin how long it takes to install suspension?

for a trained and experience installer it shoudl take no longer than 2 hours; assuming there are no problems. I am talking about a person who is experienced in servicing our veedubs. if they are asking for anymore, its a load of crock. if they are inexperienced, then 300 is alright, given 80$/hr or so.

as for doing it yourself, it is fun if you have the right tools. you'll definitely need an impact gun, ie air compressor tools. if you don't have the right tools it only becomes frustration. especially if you are half way into the job. then you'll need to put it all back again.

there are many resources in changing your suspension, it isn't difficult, it is a matter of having the correct tools. you could probably only buy a heavy duty air compressor with $300. but worth then investment I reckon if you are planning to do other stuff.

btw.. what kw's did you get? it seems although everyone is hooked onto those kw's stuff, not that there is anything wrong with it. what about bilstein and hr stuff? why'd you choose kw?

[cOS]

It took me about 5 hours to change mine. I had never done it before and had no help, and I am not very mechanically experienced. The hardest part was getting the top nut off the front struts (I didnt have an impact/hammer drill)

I tried this without success. what was your magic trick?

[golf3]

I can give you a hand if you want. Shouldn't take too long bud!

I have spring compressors, and a neat little trick with a 22mm spark plug socket, and a 7mm hex key to undo the top of the front struts.

Rears are a piece of cake, as per my spring cleaning thread, I just did it last week.

Once they're in, I guess its a matter of getting the camber right, checking the toe in/out, and adjusting the damping and ride height correctly.

SEAN.

[rayray086]

btw.. what kw's did you get? it seems although everyone is hooked onto those kw's stuff, not that there is anything wrong with it. what about bilstein and hr stuff? why'd you choose kw?

Value for money I believe! < $2000 for a set of V2's from the guys at InMotive at the moment.