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Author Topic: Rear struts Mk3 Jetta  (Read 5869 times)

July 16, 2008, 10:59:56 am

3beejay3

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Rear struts Mk3 Jetta
« on: July 16, 2008, 10:59:56 am »
I need to replace the rear struts on my 97 Jetta.

Altrom lists several types:

Sachs (German)
Sachs (Mexico)
Sachs Gas
Cofap
Cofap Gas
KYB Gas a-just
KYB GR2 gas

Prices vary widely on these.

I just need some that will last about 3-4 years or so, as the car will be about done by then.

Any thoughts?



Reply #1July 16, 2008, 12:09:17 pm

zukgod1

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« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2008, 12:09:17 pm »
If your only looking for 3-4 years any listed will work.
just pick the lowest cost and install.
dan

99 Golf TDI (now CNG powered) , 82 TD Caddy

Reply #2July 18, 2008, 12:27:45 am

commuter boy

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« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2008, 12:27:45 am »
Monroe Sensatrac at any Crappy Tire, usually 25% off once a month if you wait (Buy one get second 50% off).

Lifetime warranty too, pay cash so you can give the receipt to the next owner.

I had to replace one on my 93 Passat that blew out after a bunch of years.  They honoured it no questions asked  with the receipt   :D

Reply #3July 18, 2008, 02:40:13 am

jtanguay

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« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2008, 02:40:13 am »
lifetime warranty eh...  almost makes you wonder how much the actual product costs to produce? must be somewhat like the monster cables  :lol: monroe's are actually really good though, but bose takes the cake with its suspension system.  just shy of the budget at around $10'000 though.  :shock:  :lol:


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Reply #4July 20, 2008, 06:59:38 pm

Vincent Waldon

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Rear struts Mk3 Jetta
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2008, 06:59:38 pm »
Bump... any other recommendations  ??

I'm on my third set of KYBs in as many years and wanna try something else, without going all the way to Bils.
Vince

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2001 silver TDI Jetta Malone Stage 1.5 , 2001 blue TDI Jetta SBIII 216s Malone Stage 3, 1970 Bay Window bus

Gone but not forgotten: 1969/1971 Beetles, 1969/1974 Westies, 1979 Rabbit, 1986 TD Jetta, 1992 gas Jetta, 1994 TD Jetta

Reply #5July 20, 2008, 08:20:58 pm

gigaz2

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Rear struts Mk3 Jetta
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2008, 08:20:58 pm »
I have Bilsteins on my mk2 golf, the low grade ones, the OEM replacement type.
when I brake hard, the front drops all the way (soft springs) but then recovers without any wobble as it should, handling is superb.

I tried Koni adjustables on my brothers mk3, but they needed to be recharged quite often so I temporarily swapped them for a pair of Monroe Sensatrac I had around.
never swapped back, they might not be as good, but last way longer than the Konis.

also have Monroe on my Clio, way better than stock shocks (Kyb).
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Reply #6July 21, 2008, 11:27:25 am

zukgod1

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« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2008, 11:27:25 am »
Quote from: "gigaz2"
I have Bilsteins on my mk2 golf, the low grade ones, the OEM replacement type.
when I brake hard, the front drops all the way (soft springs) but then recovers without any wobble as it should, handling is superb.

I tried Koni adjustables on my brothers mk3, but they needed to be recharged quite often so I temporarily swapped them for a pair of Monroe Sensatrac I had around.
never swapped back, they might not be as good, but last way longer than the Konis.

also have Monroe on my Clio, way better than stock shocks (Kyb).



How did/ do you like the sensa tracks?
I was considering them for the next set but with my car being lowered I wonder if they would do any good. The piston would probably be at the end of the groves in the bore already which is where you are suppose to get the nicer ride from. Then I worry about big bumps (again being lowered).
dan

99 Golf TDI (now CNG powered) , 82 TD Caddy

Reply #7July 21, 2008, 12:52:27 pm

gigaz2

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« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2008, 12:52:27 pm »
they are not as good as the konis in a high speed run on old winding roads, you can feel the smoothness limiting the travel, not letting the tire drop fast enough after a bump.
with the same springs, the konis are a lot more responsive, but that also translates in that "racing car" feel on the other 90% of the time when commuting, ride confort suffers a lot.
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Reply #8July 21, 2008, 02:08:49 pm

Vincent Waldon

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« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2008, 02:08:49 pm »
You guys are taking about front struts I'm guessing ??
Vince

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2001 silver TDI Jetta Malone Stage 1.5 , 2001 blue TDI Jetta SBIII 216s Malone Stage 3, 1970 Bay Window bus

Gone but not forgotten: 1969/1971 Beetles, 1969/1974 Westies, 1979 Rabbit, 1986 TD Jetta, 1992 gas Jetta, 1994 TD Jetta

Reply #9July 21, 2008, 03:30:38 pm

gigaz2

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« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2008, 03:30:38 pm »
in my brothers mk3 I only replaced the rear, still have konis at the front.
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Reply #10July 26, 2008, 01:40:48 am

commuter boy

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« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2008, 01:40:48 am »
Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"
Bump... any other recommendations  ??

I'm on my third set of KYBs in as many years and wanna try something else, without going all the way to Bils.


I threw on a set of Bilstein Tourings on the wife's MK 3 Golf this week.  Great shocks for the price, I ordered from German Auto Parts and got them for $260 for a set all around.  Way cheaper than the Sach/Boge equivalents locally.

I have no idea if they'll last, but they supposedly have a lifetime warranty for the original owner.

Reply #11August 05, 2008, 08:28:39 pm

3beejay3

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Rear struts Mk3 Jetta
« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2008, 08:28:39 pm »
Quote from: "commuter boy"
Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"
Bump... any other recommendations  ??

I'm on my third set of KYBs in as many years and wanna try something else, without going all the way to Bils.


I threw on a set of Bilstein Tourings on the wife's MK 3 Golf this week.  Great shocks for the price, I ordered from German Auto Parts and got them for $260 for a set all around.  Way cheaper than the Sach/Boge equivalents locally.

I have no idea if they'll last, but they supposedly have a lifetime warranty for the original owner.


The rear shocks currently on my car are Boge

They are supposed to come apart, but I can't seem to get the top spring plate off. There is a metal spacer above the spring plate and it's not budging.
I don't want to destroy the spacer etc., as I need them for the new shock.
Nothing pisses me off more than when I get everthing all apart and have to stop because something isn't co-operating. :evil:  :evil:
I have a pair of Munroes ready to go on the car if I can get the old ones apart.

To make it easier, is there a shock that comes assembled complete with spring etc?

BJ

Reply #12August 05, 2008, 11:56:45 pm

commuter boy

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« Reply #12 on: August 05, 2008, 11:56:45 pm »
Monroe Quickstruts.  But they're really expensive for what you get.

Reply #13August 06, 2008, 08:20:50 am

3beejay3

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Rear struts Mk3 Jetta
« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2008, 08:20:50 am »
Any thoughts on why this Boge unit won't come apart? Am I missing a step here?
Is the top spacer actually threaded onto the shock shaft? Near as I can tell, it's either pressed on or?????????

The Bentley says the rear shock is very easy to disassemble, no spring compressor required. No pics or steps listed.

The Haynes manual actually has pics and shows a spring compressor is required and a nut holding the top spring plate & spacer in place.

WTF is going on here?

This should be a simple job, but it's  :evil:  :evil:

Altrom lists several types of shocks - all of them without springs and the rest of the hardware.........

Reply #14August 06, 2008, 09:16:49 am

spencebm

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« Reply #14 on: August 06, 2008, 09:16:49 am »
just get some adjustable coilovers all around and youll thank me later... :D drop it to the ground and make it really stiff like...
Ben Spencer