[Vwpickups] standard ride height?

[MILLER S.H.T.]

Dear all,
This is an update as I'm sure you have all been waiting with bated
breath to hear the outcome;-)

I bought an Eibach pro-kit for my MK1 Golf (Rabbit) GTI. The mechanics
swapped out the wrong front springs for my new ones. They refunded me
for the incorrect springs and there was no labour charge for the
remedial work. I fitted the rear springs myself.

They have been on for two weeks now and everything seems to have settled
OK. It handles nicely now, and the ride comfort does not seem to have
been compromised. I've ordered Eibach Anti-roll bars, and look forward
to fitting them soon.

The Pro-kit springs are progressive and offer a mild drop over the
originals. The front control arms are now slightly off-level, though
probably not enough to cause any concern. 

I have re-measured it at 580/570 mm on the right and 585/587 mm on the
left, front to rear. I have re-checked and the rear shows one side
consistently higher than the other, but everything seems to be assembled
OK and the handling is fine so I'm just ignoring the discrepancy as it
is probably 'within tolerance', whatever that is...

Thanks again to everyone who replied to my query.

Regards,
Scott



MILLER S.H.T. wrote:
> Thank you very much to all who have replied.
>
> I have measured and the height to the wheel arches is 630 / 585 mm and
620
> / 570 mm front to rear. (Discrepancy side to side may be due to the
ground
> not being perfectly level or limitations of measuring accuracy...)
That
> means the front is sitting two inches higher than the back in old
school
> measurements. I didn't think to measure before, but it fits with my
gut
> feel that the front is now two inches higher than it was.
>
> The front control arms do not sit level. There is evidence of
significant
> 'lift', whereas from memory they were level before.
>
> I'm still in discussion/negotiation with the mechanic who did the work
and
> will let you know the outcome in due course.
>
> I forgot to mention: It doesn't grip in the corners nearly as well as
it
> did - but I guess that is to be expected.
>
> regards,
> Scott
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----------------------------------------
> Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 15:55:11 +0100
> From: scott.miller at durham.ac.uk
> To: vwpickups at neubayern.net
> Subject: [Vwpickups] standard ride height?
>
> Firstly apologies for a non Caddy post. It's just that many of the 
> people on this list are so knowledgeable...
>
> I am in the UK and have a Mk1 Golf GTI (1983), similar to the North 
> American rabbit. (Standard car, not a cabriolet) I have just got my 
> car back after having new front suspension springs because one had
broken.
> Anyhow, the mechanic has fitted a pair of 'standard' springs and now 
> the car looks like it is on stilts. I always thought the car had 
> standard springs before but now the ride height is outrageous. I have 
> a VW Caddy
> Mk1 which was always higher than my GTI, but now my GTI rides higher 
> than it at the front. On my pickup I can just fit my clenched fist in 
> between the wheel and wheel arch, but it is a struggle. Now on my GTI 
> doing the same, I have loads of room to spare. I need to measure 
> accurately. Can anyone tell me what the standard ride height should be

> and how it is measured?
>
> I vaguely recall dimension drawings in the Bentley manual, but my copy

> seems to have gone missing. I'd really appreciate your help.
>
> I think the garage has fitted the wrong springs. They assure me that 
> the part numbers are correct for my chassis. How can I tell properly? 
> The contrast from before and after is so great that I can't believe it

> is just that the old springs were tired and had compressed that much 
> over the years. I don't have accurate measurements but I'm guessing it

> is at least 2 inches higher than it used to be. As the rear hasn't 
> been touched I feel like I'm tipped back as I'm driving...
>
> Many thanks,
> Scott
>