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General Information => Upgrades (non engine related ) => Topic started by: gamber on May 06, 2007, 09:37:12 am

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: gamber on May 06, 2007, 09:37:12 am

Greetings all
I have a 85 Jetta 1.6TD with the usual rear spring sag.  I commute 1200 km per week and this is my daily driver (new vehicle at home in the driveway!)

I would like to firm up the handling, and lowering is not necessary.
-  Any experience/ideas here?  
-  Vendor suggestions?  
-  Pursue coil overs (inexpensive on ebay)?  
-  How about modifying the lower spring seats so that they are 1 or 2" higher up on the strut?  This would effectively firm up the spring and raise my ride height.  Would take a little machining but ....

Thanks!

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: Patrick on May 06, 2007, 04:59:06 pm

There's a few threads on this if you search long enough. I've got 2 92 Jetta's that I've raised in the back. One has stock front springs from an old chevette, the other has back springs from a '93 passat with one coil cut off. both sit a littel higher than new stock springs and will carry a significant load without the "saggy butt" look. Take a tape measure and/or an old spring to the wreckers and find something that looks a little heavier/longer with the same diameter wind............

Chevette front springs look like they should be stiff but they ride really good. (Wife's car) The Passat springs are a little on the harsh side, but I like it that way(my car).

You will need a spring compressor if you use the passat springs.....

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: jtanguay on May 06, 2007, 05:55:13 pm

i bought some nice 1.5" drop springs from a place out in BC.. i like the ride... although it is a little bit bumpy (it's pretty stiff.. and i do have the lowering shocks and struts by dropzone... they're actually half decent)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CM-Lowering-Springs-VW-GOLF-JETTA-05-04-03-02-01-00-99_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33582QQihZ007QQitemZ170107693684QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

those are the springs i bought... for the price they are really good!  lifetime warranty too!

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: g-spec on May 11, 2007, 08:53:12 am

A good and cheap suspension upgrade is the supersport kit.....I jsut installed it on my 94 TD it rides nice...its perfect for a daily car....its about 340US on ebay.

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: MacGyver on May 11, 2007, 07:57:13 pm

The Parts Place in Michigan used to sell upgrade springs for A2's.
They were firmer & raised the car a little.
I don't know if they still sell them, or what they might have been designed for but the worked well on my previous 87 Jetta.
10yrs ago they were ~US$100/pr for front or back. I got both sets and it was an amazing difference, although my original fronts were both broken when I removed them :o

Edit: Link, duh :oops:
http://www.partsplaceinc.com/

Second Edit:
Download the catalogue.
HD springs, pg78, $US94.99pr, save $40 if you buy bith sets.
Also, interesting writeup on pg9 ;)

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: gamber on May 13, 2007, 09:42:10 am

Thanks for the input.
I am planning on going to the wrecker with a tape measure and micrometer to see if I can find springs.
I will offer and update once I have found and installed something.

Another question, anyone aware of a good aftermarket bushing kit?  If I am going to upgrade to something firmer, I should look at the whole package including bushings.

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: jtanguay on May 13, 2007, 08:51:55 pm

yea you can't go wrong with bushings... not sure who has the best prices for them though... i know some of the performance ones are teflon coated for zero noise etc..

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: gamber on May 18, 2007, 08:06:01 am

does anyone have dimensions of the springs?  Time to go look at the wreckers today, but don't want to pull prior to searching.

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: houseofdiesel on May 18, 2007, 01:34:55 pm

Go with passat rear springs, sedan or wagon, 1990-1997, shocks too but you cannot use the upper spring seat off the passat. Or you can stack the lower spring seat with stock springs or get heavy duty replacements for the newer Jetta (93-98), around $100 pair.
For front suspension VR6 cars have great factory springs (95-99 Jetta, Golf GTI 95-99) and two piece strut mounts
Greg

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: gamber on May 18, 2007, 08:21:59 pm

purchased a3 hd today from wrecker for $50.  Will update once installed.  I will take a post before and after pictures

Title: Job done
Post by: gamber on May 19, 2007, 09:38:59 pm

Greetings all.
Installed the pair of HD rear springs from an A3.  Springs were the same height uncompressed so I was a little concerned - I did not want to go through the work and find there was no difference!
Here is a summary:

Direct bolt in with the exception both upper and lower bushings
Old coils                   8 turns
New coils                  9 turns
Both new and old coils appear to be of the same diameter
Old height at fender   23.5"
New height                24.5"
Ride is now much firmer without been harsh

Any questions, I am just a post away!

(sorry no pics - forgot to take the befores, so the afters really do not matter then do they)

Title: Spring upgrade/modifications A2
Post by: bevboyy on June 14, 2007, 07:36:50 am

Yep Canuck Motosports, based in Surrey. I used their springs on my mustang. Great product, and free shipping...

Title: is there anywhere in ontario?
Post by: Baselyne on November 24, 2007, 12:05:47 am

Has anyone bought locally in Ontario?