Suspension issue after accident

[RandomX]

Hi all,

My front left suspension seems to be misbehaving after a recent accident.

See here for info: http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...olo-96767.html

Getting very bad wheel spin/bouncing and nobody seems to be able to align the wheels properly...

Rather than replacing with factory suspension, i'm going to replace with an aftermarket kit...

Any suggestions? : )

Cheers,

Josh

[a239947]

Maybe you have a bent wheel. It will bounce if it is out of round, also wheel that cant be aligned is a sign of bent arms or chassis. What are you looking to replace as shock and springs wont fix your issues.

[RandomX]

Wheel has been replaced, control arm replaced, bearings and Hun replaced...

Only thing left is suspension or frame

[a239947]

Well the bouncing could be the cause of a dud shock but your wheel alignment issue sounds like frame damage, look carefully around the mounting point areas for bent or rippled metal. The frame on modern cars is designed to crumple so even a small hit can put it out. Id look for that issue before looking for new suspension as it could cost you a bit.

[seangti]

Apart from vibration, what are you hoping to achieve with changing suspenion? Lower, better handling . How much lower or better handling are you after, what's you budget, are you prepared to sacrifice comfort or road noise for the outcome?

Sounds like it'd be worth pulling out the suspension first and checking over it before assuming that's the problem. I wouldn't expect a shagged strut to cause the effect you've described. Ride height drop, secondary motion on dampening/rebound or rattling would be the more obvious signs of damaged suspension.

Is the vibration speed dependent, does it pull to one side, etc, etc.

But hey, I'm happy with the suspension in my cars if you feel that'll solve your problem. H&R coilovers in one, H&R and Bilstein struts in the other. Very happy with both, sufficiently compliant and handles very well.

[Umai Naa!!]

I would've put a strut in it as well.

As others have said, there's also the possibility of a bent or shifted subframe.