Ava Romero
Installing coilovers on a Volkswagen Jetta MK3 Golf can be done as a DIY project, but it is a complex process that requires a variety of tools and parts. The installation process involves removing the old suspension system, assembling and installing the new coilovers, and making any necessary adjustments. It is important to note that the installation process may vary depending on whether the front or rear coilovers are being installed, and it is recommended to refer to detailed guides or videos specific to the MK3 Golf model.
Installing Coilovers on a MK3 Golf
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools required | 13mm spanner and socket, 17mm spanner and socket, 22mm "swan neck" spanner, C-spanner, Tape measure, Water pump pliers (or mole grips), Allen Keys, Magnetic camber measure (optional) |
| Parts required | Coilovers, New top mounts (Febi recommended), New top mount spacers (optional), New rear bolts and nuts (optional), Motorbike chain wax (Castrol recommended) |
| Installation process | Remove front stock suspension, fit new top mounts to front shocks, tighten mount, wind coilovers up, construct rears by winding coils down, jack up car, torque down lower coilover bolt, jack up rear axle, place washer and rear top rubber mount, secure with nut, place rear strut tower rubber cover |
| Post-installation | Alignment is optional, coilovers take about 2 weeks to settle in place, corner balancing can be done using a calculator |
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What You'll Learn
Required tools and parts
Installing front coilovers on a Volkswagen MK3 Jetta/Golf requires a specific set of tools and parts.
Required Tools
- 13mm spanner and socket
- 17mm spanner and socket
- 22mm "swan neck" spanner
- C-spanner
- Tape measure
- Water pump pliers (or mole grips)
- Allen Keys
- Magnetic camber measure (optional)
Required Parts
- Coilovers
- New top mounts (Febi is a recommended brand)
- New top mount spacers (optional but inexpensive)
- New rear bolts and nuts (may not always be necessary)
- Motorbike chain wax (Castrol is recommended)
- New rear shocks rubber mounts (polyurethane is recommended for performance and longevity)
- New upper strut bearing and rubber mounts (VR6 mounts will raise the front 5-10mm higher than 4-cylinder mounts)
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Removing the front stock suspension system
Prepare the Required Tools and Parts:
Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary tools and parts ready. Here's a list of what you'll need:
- 13mm spanner and socket
- 17mm spanner and socket
- 22mm "swan neck" spanner
- C-spanner
- Tape measure
- Water pump pliers (or mole grips)
- Allen Keys
- Magnetic camber measure (optional)
- Coilovers
- New top mounts (Febi brand recommended)
- New top mount spacers (optional but inexpensive)
- New rear bolts and nuts (may not be needed)
- Motorbike chain wax (Castrol brand recommended)
Remove the Wheels:
Loosen the wheel bolts and jack up your car. Place axle stands with a block of wood under the rear jacking points of the car, ensuring they are not on the beam as it needs to swing down when you remove the jack. Once the car is securely on the axle stands, remove the wheels.
Disconnect the Strut and Sway Bar:
Using a 10mm socket and ratchet, disconnect the bracket that connects the strut to the knuckle. Then, disconnect the sway bar link with an 18mm socket. If the bushing starts to spin, counter-hold it with a hex key and push the link out of the way to create more space to work.
Remove the Axle Flange and Old Suspension Parts:
Remove the axle flange using a 10mm triple square socket. Now, you can start removing the old suspension parts, including the shocks, springs, and mounts. Take your time and be careful not to damage any surrounding components.
Clean and Prepare the Area:
Before installing the new coilover suspension system, clean the area and inspect for any damage or wear. Make sure the area is free of debris and that all old parts have been removed.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to successfully removing the front stock suspension system on your MK3 Golf. Remember to stay organized, be patient, and refer to specific MK3 Golf coilover installation guides if you need more detailed instructions or troubleshooting advice.
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Installing the front coilover suspension system
Installing a front coilover suspension system on a Volkswagen Jetta MK3 Golf can be done by following these steps:
Firstly, gather the required tools and parts. The tools you will need include various spanners and sockets, a tape measure, water pump pliers, Allen keys, and more. For the parts, you will need coilovers, new top mounts, new rear bolts and nuts, and other components. A full list of tools and parts can be found in the sources provided.
Once you have everything ready, follow these steps:
- Remove the front stock suspension system.
- Spray your new shocks with motorbike chain wax.
- Fit new top mounts to your front shocks.
- Slacken the coilovers so they sit at the very bottom.
- Place the top mount on the shock and insert the new spacer.
- Screw on the nut and tighten it with a swan neck spanner and Allen key.
- Tighten until there is no vertical movement in the mount.
- Wind the coilovers up by at least 5 cm, or 10 cm to avoid the car being too low.
- Measure the height from the centre of the wheel to the arch to know how much you've dropped.
- Loosen the wheel bolts and jack up the car.
- Place axel stands with a block of wood under the rear jacking points.
- Remove the rear wheels.
- Disconnect the bracket connecting the strut to the knuckle using a 10mm socket and ratchet.
- Disconnect the sway bar link with an 18mm socket and counter-hold it with a hex key if necessary.
- Remove the axle flange using a 10mm triple square socket.
These steps should help you install the front coilover suspension system on your MK3 Golf.
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Removing the rear stock suspension system
To remove the rear stock suspension system of a Volkswagen MK3 Golf, follow these steps:
First, remove the wheels. Break the wheel bolts loose with a 17mm thin-walled socket attached to a breaker bar or impact wrench. Jack up the car and put axel stands under the rear jacking points of the car. Make sure they are not on the beam as this needs to swing down when you remove the jack. Once the car is securely on the axel stands, take off the rear wheels.
Next, disconnect the strut from the knuckle using a 10mm socket and ratchet. Disconnect the sway bar link with a 10mm socket; if the bushing starts to spin, counter-hold it with a hex key.
Remove the rear stock suspension system. Interior removal of the interior panels is required to access the rear strut nut on the rear strut tower. Lower the rear axle beam and torque down the lower coilover bolt with a torque wrench. Jack up the rear axle again so that the rear bottom rubber mount is mounted on the strut tower.
Grab the smaller protruding washer and the rear top rubber mount and put them together. Place the smaller protruding side facing up and insert it into the strut shaft. Then, place the large round metal washer cover and secure them with the nut.
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Installing the rear coilover suspension system
Tools:
- 13mm spanner and socket
- 17mm spanner and socket
- 22mm "swan neck" spanner
- C-spanner
- Tape measure
- Water pump pliers (or mole grips)
- Allen Keys
- Magnetic camber measure (optional)
Parts:
- Coilovers
- New top mounts (Febi is a good brand)
- New top mount spacers (optional but inexpensive)
- New rear bolts and nuts (may not be necessary)
- Motorbike chain wax (Castrol is recommended)
Installation:
First, remove the interior panels to access the rear strut nut on the rear strut tower. Then, lower the rear axle beam and torque down the lower coilover bolt to 52ft/lbs with a torque wrench. Jack up the rear axle with a floor jack under the coilover bolt, so the rear bottom rubber mount is mounted on the strut tower. Grab the smaller protruding washer and the rear top rubber mount and put them together, with the smaller protruding side facing up. Place this into the strut shaft, followed by the large round metal washer cover, and secure them with the nut.
Tighten the nut until the strut shaft turns with the nut. Place the rear strut tower rubber cover on both sides. The installation of the rear coilovers is now complete. Place the wheels back into the hubs.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a 13mm spanner and socket, a 17mm spanner and socket, a 22mm "swan neck" spanner, a C-spanner, a tape measure, water pump pliers (or mole grips), Allen Keys, and a magnetic camber measure (optional).
You will need coilovers, new top mounts, new top mount spacers (optional), new rear bolts and nuts (optional), and motorbike chain wax.
First, you will need to remove the front stock suspension system.
First, you will need to remove the rear stock suspension system and the interior panels to access the rear strut nut on the rear strut tower.
