VW Golf MkIV (2000) 2.0 GTi - Front suspension

[qt10799]

I have a knocking sound coming from my front suspension, the car has travelled 70k miles and the shocks appear to be slightly damp, I intent to replace the shocks but require advice on the procedure to replace and any special VW tools required for the job. Should I replace any other common failing components at the sametime, or is the knocking a common problem caused by something else? I have changed coil over shocks on other non VW cars, just need to know specifics to Golf.

Many thanks in advance for anybodies help!

[shao_khan]

Golf isnt a great deal different to anything else, from memory bolt on the top and a couple on the bottom and thats it.

[qt10799]

Any sugestions on the type of shocks, should I replace with Bilstien, Boge etc. are they currently gas or oil?

Best regards

[shao_khan]

The set I have just used on my Beetle (same as golf, I got them off a Bora) were FK coilovers - Koni Dampers and FK springs, mines set with a drop of about 35mm and max firmness, just debating weather or not to remove the 'helper' springs.

As for what they are - cant help with that as I have no idea how a shock is made.

[R32North]

I guess tghe Oil / Gas question is really important, more that you get the right ones for your car.

You have two choices

a) Buy replacement shocks, eg Boge or Bilstien, or

b) Uprate the whole set-up with aftermarket such as SK's or Eibach (my choice)

As for changing them I don't know the specifics, but have just done the springs on my Audi, have done my A3 previous and old MKII GTi, theres very little difference between them.

If you fit uprated aftermarket shocks / spring which are stiffer, this will speed up any wear you might have on other components.

I'd check the following

a) Strut Top Mounts

b) Track Rod Ends

c) Ball Joints

d) Wishbone Bushes

Use a crow bar or something to appy some pressure against the TRE and BJs / WBs and see if there is any play, if so it might be worth while replacing them. Can check the strut top mounts when the car is on the ground, open bonnet and see if theres much play in them.

These things aren't expensive.

TRE for my Audi was £7, ball joints are £8 per side, so not much expense. Might take a bit to get them off and you'll need to get the tracking sorted afterwards but all in a worth while job especially at 70k, otherwise as time goes by they'll wear quicker and end up wearing other bushes / joints as well, eg wishbones.

6DF

:

[Tobes49]

[ QUOTE ]

I guess tghe Oil / Gas question is really important, more that you get the right ones for your car.

You have two choices

a) Buy replacement shocks, eg Boge or Bilstien, or

b) Uprate the whole set-up with aftermarket such as SK's or Eibach (my choice)

As for changing them I don't know the specifics, but have just done the springs on my Audi, have done my A3 previous and old MKII GTi, theres very little difference between them.

If you fit uprated aftermarket shocks / spring which are stiffer, this will speed up any wear you might have on other components.

I'd check the following

a) Strut Top Mounts

b) Track Rod Ends

c) Ball Joints

d) Wishbone Bushes

Use a crow bar or something to appy some pressure against the TRE and BJs / WBs and see if there is any play, if so it might be worth while replacing them. Can check the strut top mounts when the car is on the ground, open bonnet and see if theres much play in them.

These things aren't expensive.

TRE for my Audi was £7, ball joints are £8 per side, so not much expense. Might take a bit to get them off and you'll need to get the tracking sorted afterwards but all in a worth while job especially at 70k, otherwise as time goes by they'll wear quicker and end up wearing other bushes / joints as well, eg wishbones.

6DF

:

[/ QUOTE ]

I would replace the Top strut mountings/Bearing they are cheap from places like GSF and have to be removed to change the front shocks. The other can be replaced without removing the strut again.