Raising the Rearend

[ORCoaster]

Was there not a topic here about raising the VW Rabbit rear with the use of some pipe couplers and some C Clamps.  All my searches come back with no meaningful results.  Maybe it was a VW Caddy but the deal was that it was easy, quick, cheap and worked. 

That is what I want.  Have 13 gallons of Veg oil hanging back over the axle now and she looks like a dog taking care of business.  Not the look I or anyone would like.  Well, maybe the dog would.

Let me know if this jars anyones memory.  Thanks. DAS

[theman53]

IIRC there was a thread on the "other" forum. There are many options: flip the pertch is how I raised mine, Get a pipe coupler that will fit over the shock and add another pertch. Cut the pipe coupler and add exhaust clamps to hold it together.

[Wayland]

Not sure if it's any help, but I searched and found this thread: http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=2946.0

[CRSMP5]

cargo coils made by moog... just do it right.. i had a set on my bunny i ran thru high school.. could fill the trunk with crap, back seat with people and head to the beach all weekend.. man i miss $0.82/gal diesel..

[ORCoaster]

Thanks guys.  Theman, I think it was on that other place that I saw it now that I read your hint.  Coming from the source I think.  That is what was confusing me. 

I will look into a few of these solutions but not this weekend.  Wife is asking when the remodel work starts up again.  Company is coming and we need the spare room up and running she tells me.

Dang and the car needs an oil change too.  Always something. 

Again all super good suggestions.  DAS

[libbydiesel]

http://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10837&hilit=lift+rabbit

[ORCoaster]

Libby that be the one man.  Thanks a bunch.  Going out tomorrow for a couple clamps and pipe couplers. 

Odd how the brain works/doesn't work on this sort of thing. 

[mystery3]

How low is the front? You could just drop the front more to balance it out no?

[ORCoaster]

No lowering on this car please.  I have enough trouble with the raised center of the highways i drive.  Stupid Idea those studded tires.  And the rail road crossings are nothing short of raised rails in some places.  I sneak across on a diagonal for fear of ripping the front spoiler off.  Several places along my route the state highway drops several inches.  My front shocks hammer tight on those places.  Yes Oregon has nice clean uncrowded beaches, come see.  Just be sure to bring some extra money for a front end alignment.

Which is badly needed on my car now thanks to the recent pophole in the neighborhood catching me off guard in the middle of the turn.

Bought the couplers and muffler clamps today.  Should be sawing them up now but have a speedometer on the bench with the drill set up on it.  Needed to wrap it back 60,000 to match the one in my car.  Finally going to have a working speedometer. 

[R.O.R-2.0]

how come nobody has touched on using mk2, or passat springs?

[ORCoaster]

Maybe because we don't know about their use.  How much lift might they add?  1 or 3 inches?  Or none and they just handle the load better and don't sag like the Rabbit does under moderate load.  Say 150 lbs.

[R.O.R-2.0]

pretty sure you can use mk2 springs (think someone installed B3 passat wagon springs in a rabbit one time)

to lift the back of your rabbit, and thats without ghetto-fabbing stuff..

you use all OEM parts..

[ORCoaster]

Well, I was able to get the shock and spring combo out of the car without hassles.  But I came across a problem with inserting the extra 2 inches of metal below the spring keeper.  How do you compress the spring enough to get the sleeve and nut back on the top of the shock without a spring compressor?  I tried a couple of my largest Vice Grips but that was not enough to do the job. 

Any other way?  I have to work, and drink alone most times so getting the nut on while pushing down on the top of the spring seemed to much to handle.  I only need a couple threads to get things started and the wrench will take care of the rest.  Just seems a compressor will make this all that much easier.  Might not need to remove from car if I can squeeze the springs tight enough to free up the lower plate and slip the two halves along side the shock. 

What do you think?

DAS

[theman53]

I have no clue as I never did this mod, but could you put them back on the car and lower it slowly???

[ToddA1]

Do parts stores around you have a tool lending program?  Basically, you buy the tool and when you return it you're given a full refund.

-Todd