Lowering springs-advice required

[B Man]

Grateful for advice from you all!

I want to lower my car by fitting 30 mm Eibach lowering springs and been advised by a VW mechanic to replace the front top mounts. Is this required and are there any  specific top mounts that are recommended?

I'm hoping for an inexpensive mod hence lowering springs and not coilovers but are there any other suspension components that should be replaced when lowering the car by changing the springs?

I'm assuming the car will require re-alignment. Any recommendations in the south London area?

Finally, how much should the labour cost and can any mechanic change the springs?

Thanks in advance

Thanks in advance

 

[dom069]

Definitely worth changing the top mounts when doing the springs, OEM ones will be fine

[B Man]

Definitely worth changing the top mounts when doing the springs, OEM ones will be fine

Thanks! Any other component worth checking when changing springs?

Can anyone recommend re-alignment centre in south London?

[K9]

Thanks! Any other component worth checking when changing springs?

Can anyone recommend re-alignment centre in south London?

Hit a pothole 

[ROH ECHT]

I would replace the top front bearings and the front dampers if having the springs mounted by a tech...mostly because you are there and also because the OE dampers may not last much after being lowered. The rear dampers are easy enough to DIY when in need. As far as a better top mount goes...those are not readily available...if at all. I saw some somewhere at one time, but they are not available where they were.

[edd30]

The Golf/GTI/A3/Jetta comes with soft rubber
while the sportier and more expensive cousins Audi TT and RS3 come with a stiffer rubber strut mount. To be more precise it's about 30 % stiffer which also improves steering feel while retaining near stock ride comfort and without increase in NVH.



strut mount Audi TT and RS3 + bearings:

8J0 412 331 - mount - 2 needed
6N0 412 249 D - bearing - 2 needed
or SKF VKD 35025 T (quite possibly even better)
N 910 216 01 - nut - 2 needed
N 101 277 07- bolt - 6 needed

Source : http://www.golfmk5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140113

Also consider having the control arm bushings changed. WALK and SALK are quite expensive at £160. The TT has better bushes.
Source : http://www.golfmk5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123479&page=12



 

[B Man]

The Golf/GTI/A3/Jetta comes with soft rubber
while the sportier and more expensive cousins Audi TT and RS3 come with a stiffer rubber strut mount. To be more precise it's about 30 % stiffer which also improves steering feel while retaining near stock ride comfort and without increase in NVH.



strut mount Audi TT and RS3 + bearings:

8J0 412 331 - mount - 2 needed
6N0 412 249 D - bearing - 2 needed
or SKF VKD 35025 T (quite possibly even better)
N 910 216 01 - nut - 2 needed
N 101 277 07- bolt - 6 needed

Source : http://www.golfmk5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140113

Also consider having the control arm bushings changed. WALK and SALK are quite expensive at £160. The TT has better bushes.
Source : http://www.golfmk5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123479&page=12

Thanks for the helpful advice. Just a couple of things to help me understand as I'm a bit confused  :

Might sound silly but what is NVH?
Also when I serviced the car recently, was advised that the Front lower arm rear bushes are wearing? Are these the same as the control arm bushes you mention?

[edd30]

NVH - noise, vibration, harshness
Front lower arm rear bushes - are the control arm bushes I believe.
I'd get the TT ones. You can just buy the bushes to push in, AKS sells them.