would like your input-rabbit conv. suspension revamp
Mark Petrush
I am set to go through the suspension of my '83 Rabbit convertible. It has
soft springs and the shocks are past their prime, so the ride is boingy and
she heels over like a sailboat around the corners.
I would like to firm up the ride, but don't want it so stiff that the car
shakes into junk. I use the car primarily for commuting, with a little
spirited street driving and back road blasting thrown in along with the
occasional autocross event. Would some of you provide input on a couple of
topics?
Sway (or more properly Anti-Sway) bars
This car has no sway bars. I once owned a '76 Scirocco that also had no
sway bars, but it cornered a lot flatter than my Rabbit does. I also had an
'83 Jetta that had a factory sway bar at the rear only. My wife's '86
Cabriolet has factory sway bars front and rear. It corners flat but tends
to plow. I'm thinking a tubular sway bar at the rear is what my rabbit
needs. Any thoughts?
Springs
I don't wish to radically lower the car. After all, it's a convertible and
it's roofless body structure needs a little protection from potholes and
speed bumps. I'm thinking of the Neuspeed "Sofsport" progressive rate
springs. Is anyone out there using them on an A1, and can you recommend a
good source for mail order? I've seen them listed at Rapid Parts for
229.95.
Lower A-arm Bushings
I'm thinking of going for new A-arms (they are a little bent up) and
replacing the ball joints. Should I go with stock bushings, heavy duty
rubber bushings or urethane?
Upper stress Bars
I already have a TT 16v clone lower stress bar and the convertible comes
with a meaty rear brace from the factory. Is there any real gain to be had
from adding the upper stress bar in the engine compartment? Anyone have a
nice one f.s. cheap?
Shocks
So may choices, so little time- what have you used that works well?
Any and all recommendations/experiences would be appreciated.
Regards, Mark Petrush.
T Berk
>
> Hello All-
>
> I am set to go through the suspension of my '83 Rabbit convertible. It has
> soft springs and the shocks are past their prime, so the ride is boingy and
> she heels over like a sailboat around the corners.
>
> I would like to firm up the ride, but don't want it so stiff that the car
> shakes into junk. I use the car primarily for commuting, with a little
> spirited street driving and back road blasting thrown in along with the
> occasional autocross event. Would some of you provide input on a couple of
> topics?
>
> Sway (or more properly Anti-Sway) bars
>
> This car has no sway bars. I once owned a '76 Scirocco that also had no
> sway bars, but it cornered a lot flatter than my Rabbit does. I also had an
> '83 Jetta that had a factory sway bar at the rear only. My wife's '86
> Cabriolet has factory sway bars front and rear. It corners flat but tends
> to plow. I'm thinking a tubular sway bar at the rear is what my rabbit
> needs. Any thoughts?
>
If you go with the softsport springs & you add sway bars it will firm up
the ride further. Go for it. Add front and rear as a set, don't want to
unbalance the car. (Those who advocate no front bar compensate with very
very stiff springs. Think: Track Only.)
> Springs
>
> I don't wish to radically lower the car. After all, it's a convertible and
> it's roofless body structure needs a little protection from potholes and
> speed bumps. I'm thinking of the Neuspeed "Sofsport" progressive rate
> springs. Is anyone out there using them on an A1, and can you recommend a
> good source for mail order? I've seen them listed at Rapid Parts for
> 229.95.
>
Luv those softsports, esp for your stated needs. H&R make great springs
too, I picked up some
> Lower A-arm Bushings
>
> I'm thinking of going for new A-arms (they are a little bent up) and
> replacing the ball joints. Should I go with stock bushings, heavy duty
> rubber bushings or urethane?
Urethane is becoming known for squeaking if you don't lube a bunch
during assembly and for crumbling over time. Delrin, while expensive,
sounds like the ticket. Otherwise go with heavy duty if you can find it,
or new if nothing else. Don't reuse the old ones.
> Upper stress Bars
>
> I already have a TT 16v clone lower stress bar and the convertible comes
> with a meaty rear brace from the factory. Is there any real gain to be had
> from adding the upper stress bar in the engine compartment? Anyone have a
> nice one f.s. cheap?
>
All that I have I am using. Yes you will benefit from a front upper
shock brace. Perfect compliment to the 16v lower you have now. In fact
folks usually say the upper has more gains than the lower. Rear is not
as necessary.
> Shocks
>
> So may choices, so little time- what have you used that works well?
>
> Any and all recommendations/experiences would be appreciated.
> Regards, Mark Petrush.
Shocks will depend on springs, lowered or not. KYB is getting a rep as
inexpensive but don't last, Boges can be an economical choice (OEM is
made by Boge btw) and of course there are Koni & Biltsien. These last
two will lean more to the sport side and depending on your choice may
tighten up the ride more than you like but they fall under the 'do it
right the 1st time' category.
hth, anybody else want to chime in?
TBerk
tabasco
street set-up in my rocco. I am currently too low and stiff, fine on
perfect pavement but useless in the real world. When I hit some bumpy road
I literally start to skip across stuff. Suspension needs to follow the road
not resist it. The folks at this site have an interesting take on the
swaybars as well which seems to make sense. http://www.srsvw.com/page5.htm
Nate Nagel
H&R Sports might be a little aggressive, do they make an equivalent to
"sofsports?" I have the regular Sports on my Scirocco and while I
like it it is a bit teeth-rattling over bad roads.
>
> > Lower A-arm Bushings
> >
> > I'm thinking of going for new A-arms (they are a little bent up) and
> > replacing the ball joints. Should I go with stock bushings, heavy duty
> > rubber bushings or urethane?
>
> Urethane is becoming known for squeaking if you don't lube a bunch
> during assembly and for crumbling over time. Delrin, while expensive,
> sounds like the ticket. Otherwise go with heavy duty if you can find it,
> or new if nothing else. Don't reuse the old ones.
>
Agree here. If you do want poly, rub lots of powdered graphite into
them before assembly.
> > Upper stress Bars
> >
> > I already have a TT 16v clone lower stress bar and the convertible comes
> > with a meaty rear brace from the factory. Is there any real gain to be had
> > from adding the upper stress bar in the engine compartment? Anyone have a
> > nice one f.s. cheap?
> >
>
> All that I have I am using. Yes you will benefit from a front upper
> shock brace. Perfect compliment to the 16v lower you have now. In fact
> folks usually say the upper has more gains than the lower. Rear is not
> as necessary.
>
I've been told the exact opposite, that the lower is the one you need.
I agree though that the upper bar is a nice addition and if nothing
else may keep your strut towers from cracking from stress. A definite
Good Thing.
>
> > Shocks
> >
> > So may choices, so little time- what have you used that works well?
> >
> > Any and all recommendations/experiences would be appreciated.
> > Regards, Mark Petrush.
>
>
> Shocks will depend on springs, lowered or not. KYB is getting a rep as
> inexpensive but don't last, Boges can be an economical choice (OEM is
> made by Boge btw) and of course there are Koni & Biltsien. These last
> two will lean more to the sport side and depending on your choice may
> tighten up the ride more than you like but they fall under the 'do it
> right the 1st time' category.
>
> hth, anybody else want to chime in?
>
> TBerk
I don't like Boges for the exact same reason that you dis the KYB's.
I drove my old Rabbit GTI for about 20K miles on Boges and by the end
of that time they were completely blown (admittedly, this was on
really bad roads.) They would be fine if you don't plan on putting a
lot of miles on the car though. Make sure you put a capful of oil or
coolant in the strut housings when you reassemble, and when replacing
the struts I would definitely replace the strut bearings (unless you
have the early rebuildable kind) and bump stops as well (Bilsteins
have built in bump stops just FYI)
good luck
nate