Anyone with problems with springs and shockers combo?

[GTI JOE]

Ok, have had my H&Rs 25/40s installed for well over a year now and I've replaced 2 of the OEM shockers (leaking), same place, left rear. One was done under warranty, the other by my suspension place as the dealer refused on the basis of the modified springs.....expected, as I went under the radar the first time.

Has anyone else had this problem? I'm assuming it's the mismatch of springs to shockers.

I don't want this to keep happening, so I may have to reinstall the original springs or finds shockers to match the H&Rs...opinions? Cheaper to just replace the springs I guess as I don't want to go to more expense and get coilovers.

Cheers guys!

[kaanage]

No one wants to listen to me but I always warn of this when people discuss lowering springs.

Replace the springs with the standard ones and the Polo will ride/handle as VW intended. Or get a set of Koni or Bilstein "sports" dampers and your car will be better for it all round.

[bradsm87]

Bilstein B8's should do the trick. awesomegti.com would be cheapest (They're in UK)

[GTI JOE]

Bilstein B8's should do the trick. awesomegti.com would be cheapest (They're in UK)

Thanks guys, any part#'s for the 2011 Polo GTI 6R?

[kaanage]

Bilstein B8's should do the trick. awesomegti.com would be cheapest (They're in UK)

They seem to have SFA for the 6R. This site may help with part numbers: http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/fra...ck%20Absorbers

[GTI JOE]

I managed to get some part numbers from the Bilstein website.

The Bilstein B8s for a Polo GTI 6R are;
Fronts: 35-168577
Rears: 24-067904

The best I can do in price for a full set was about 495 British pounds delivered at Balance Motorsport - Performance Car Parts Online & Installed

Does this price seem about right? what would installation be? considering the dealership wanted $380 to supply and install ONE damper.

[LunchboxVRS]

My front right was leaking before I changed the shocks. I have koni FSD. And a tip so you don't fall into the same trap I did. The koni sports have adjustable dampening but on there softest setting the are still stiffer/harsher then stock GTI set up so adjusting them will only get worse.

[dening]

Awwwww Come On!

I just bought the same springs 3 days ago! Why didn't I have this to read then!

[ATYPIC]

Awwwww Come On!

I just bought the same springs 3 days ago! Why didn't I have this to read then!

We've all made errors...but we also quickly learn

[gavs]

Anyone with problems with springs and shockers combo?

My front right was leaking before I changed the shocks. I have koni FSD. And a tip so you don't fall into the same trap I did. The koni sports have adjustable dampening but on there softest setting the are still stiffer/harsher then stock GTI set up so adjusting them will only get worse.

That's because it's a wear compensator, not meant for actual damping control adjusting.

I prefer a good spring and damper matched combo over coilovers because unless you get the fully tunable, rebound and compression individually adjustable ones, for the money you spend you can get a perfectly matched spring and damper combo that is lowered to a height that is still useable for handling as well as looks, then pocket your savings and put it towards some other goodies

Bilstein does a 'cup' kit with matched eibach springs. Try and get in contact with H&R to see if they have a matched damper to those springs because even if you get a top notch damper, if its not matched to the springs you are looking at a world of hurt with the ride and handling of the car.

[kaanage]

And a tip so you don't fall into the same trap I did. The koni sports have adjustable dampening but on there softest setting the are still stiffer/harsher then stock GTI set up so adjusting them will only get worse.

That's because the Koni sports dampers are made to suit lowering springs which are stiffer than stock springs by necessity. As gavs said, the adjustment is primarily for wear compensation but you can use it to stiffen the suspension response for a track day (it may pack down if you go nuts since the adjustment is for rebound only). With stock springs, you will be overdamped, giving a harsh ride.

I don't entirely agree about mismatching with the Koni sports or Bilstein B8 dampers with any lowering spring kit - they are designed for higher spring rates than stock and will work much better than the stock dampers in this situation even if they haven't been matched as a package.

Awwwww Come On!

I just bought the same springs 3 days ago! Why didn't I have this to read then!

Even better, read this http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ing-67196.html
And then if you really want to understand how our suspension works, have a read through the links here http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...nds-82194.html

[LunchboxVRS]

The koni sports are designed for the H&R springs. Which I already have. If you buy a kit you get H&R with them.
I had the springs first which naturally made it stiffer but it just didnt take the sharp bumps well at all. then I brought the sports thinking they would be well matched but they where stiffer then the weitec coilovers (with the lowered springs) a friend has and I felt like I was back in my old track wrx. So I got the FSD as they ar ment to match the H&R as well. There not as comfy as stock but they work well when pushed and don't bust your kidneys on the big bumps.
If you get shocks with a good spread in the rebound adjustment you can counteract the sharp action of a stiffer spring forcing down and smooth it out but the koni sports just don't have the spread. There not focused enough for track and to harsh for the road.

[dening]

OK, I think I might abort having the H&Rs I just bought installed then.

I guess I'll either sell them on to someone looking at going the whole hog or put them aside for a time when I might be able to justify going for shocks as well.

Maybe I'll look into a less aggressive spring like an Eibach or even pay the slight premium to import the VW Eibach set.

This does suck though as the best looking wheel gaps I'd seen on here were GTI Joe's and Lunchbox's.

[GTI JOE]

Waiting on several quotes on different scenarios at the moment. Seems like the cheaper but crapier option is to take out the H&Rs and replace with OEMs and replace leaking damper. But if I can swing a good price on the Bilstein B8s then I will buy them and get them installed as I love the low rider look.

I'll keep you guys posted......as I'm writing this, I just received a quote from Germany for the Bilstein B8s....495 euro delivered to OZ. Much better than the last quote of 495 pounds.

Can anyone recommend an installer in the Melbourne area, out Essendon way? OR someone on the forum who can do it for me if I throw some coin their way?

Really didn't need this crap happening at the moment........and all was going so well

[dening]

Can I ask how many Km you guys already had on your cars when you added springs or whether you felt you drove your cars hard or did any track days?

The H&R Dealer here was surprised there would be problems as he had done far more aggressive installs and had no problems, I've already bought the springs off him just not installed yet, so he didn't need to overly try and lie to me, he was assuring me I'd be fine. But I'm still thinking I might just pull out altogether for now.
I asked about getting some Bilsteins at the same time and he said not to waste my time and to wait until I'd put at least 40,000kms. He said since I only had 10,000km on mine already they'd still be like new and have no issue taking lowered springs.