Issues with ride after suspension mods

[zilla_8]

Hi i'm looking for a bit of advice?

I recently had new eibach lowering springs (-20mm) and whiteline anti lift fitted to my 2006 mk5 golf gti with 101k miles

After installation my car felt a bit wobbly at high speed and tended to pull to the right, at low speed everything seems to be ok, I then decided to get the wheel alignment, done and this improved things but only slightly. It feels abit more stable, but there is still that wobbly feeling at high speed, but not as firm as before, when it was a stock setup.

Do I need to remove the anti lift kit and revert back to the standard gti lift kit, or do I need to have my bushes changed as they may be the original factory ones?

Is there are other areas I need to look into, with regards to the ride, like updating the suspension struts over the factory ones? Anyone ever experienced such a thing after they upgraded their suspension?

Any help or advice, much appreciated.



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[Hevoshullu]

Is it the rear end that feels loose or "flighty" at higher speeds. That's exactly what my car did too after I fitted Eibach Sportlines (along with new bushings, Bilstein dampers and new Goodyear's tyres). I can't say it was completely the Eibach springs' fault but my opinion is that they are a partial cause as they make the rear end stiffer and as a result the rear doesn't roll enough and becomes a bit nervous instead. So your car is definitely firmer than before with the Eibachs but at the same the rear end is a little more nervous and flighty too when you give the car small steering inputs.

I will have H&R springs fitted next week to replace the Eibach as I haven't been pleased with the handling on those. Yet to be seen if that makes any difference.

[zilla_8]

Hi thanks for the response. I would say the front end is bit more flighty than the rear in a straight line. But it seems to corner ok.

But a bit disappointed with the results!


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[AJP]

I haven't used Eibach on a mk5 but I can vouch for the H&R 30mm springs on my GTI with standard shocks. Very stable at all speeds and not at all twitchy or wobbly.

When you got the alignment done, was it a full 4 wheel job on a Hunter machine, or at least one that reads camber, castor and toe?

Is the wobble felt through the steering wheel, at certain speeds?

[zilla_8]

Hi ajp,

It feels like one of my tyres at the front was running low on pressure, it felt like this when I was on the dual carriageway doing around 60mph. I can't seem to feel any wobble through the steering wheel.

The 4 wheel alignment was done at a wheel alignment centre in town.

I'll check the tyre pressure. When I drive home tonight.


 


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[AJP]

It could be that at 100k you've got quite a few things starting to wear - bushes etc, and even the best alignment machines won't get you into correct geometry tolerance if things are really worn.

The anti lift kit will only really do its job if everything else is working as intended.

Probably a ramp job - get a good mechanic to check front and rear bushes, and also track rods, ball joints etc.

[Hevoshullu]

^ Exactly, if you upgrade your springs to a stiffer one, then all the previous worn out parts will feel even more loose/wobbly/clonky.

[zilla_8]

Thanks guys, I think i will have to look into getting the bushes and tracking rods looked at.

Any recommendations for what type of bushes I could get?

Bit of a noob, when it comes to fill out modding and tinkering!


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[AJP]

Just get standard replacements, there's no real reason to get poly bushes unless you do a lot of track days.

Also front strut top mounts, arb links etc. There's a lot going on at the front end.

[Hevoshullu]

Usually the part that is most worn out and loose is the front control arm inner rear bushing. It's definitely worth doing if it hasn't been replaced previously. Any car with 50k+ mileage on it will have more or less wear in that.

[zilla_8]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help and advice.


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[Shoduchi]

Usually the part that is most worn out and loose is the front control arm inner rear bushing. It's definitely worth doing if it hasn't been replaced previously. Any car with 50k+ mileage on it will have more or less wear in that.

zilla_8 fitted a WALK, so he replaced those bushes for the Whiteline's instead.

I'd check the other bits as suggested before.

[zilla_8]

Hi, I have got to the bottom of this issue affecting the stability of my suspension setup.

It seems it was nothing to do with the bushes or tracking rods.

Apparently the place where I had my walk and springs installed, forgot to tighten the front nut on the passenger side suspension arm. I was a bit concerned that they overlooked this loose nut, as they were the ones who installed the springs and walk kit, what also got me was I got them to look underneath my car after my first wheel alignment session, and they were adamant it was the wheel alignment to blame for my issues.  I am not going to disclose their name, in case I get kicked off this forum, but I am going to give them a gist soon and a stern word or two!

After going backwards and forwards to get the wheel alignment looked at for the 3rd time, they spotted the loose nut on the front of the suspension arm.

After they tightened the loose nut, my car was handling brilliantly and it had the reassuring stability that was there before the mods, especially at driving on the dual carriageway.

Just wanted to express my thanks and gratitude to the guys at the Nottingham alignment services for sorting out my issues and for potentially averting any disaster that may have arose from this issue.

They were very professional, polite, informative and very patient. I definitely be going back to see them to give them my business.

Thanks to everyone who help in with help and advice regarding this issue.



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[Kam88]

I got a ed30 with 60k on clock and fitted eibach and works like a treat much stiffer much better to drive all round so i can't complain about eibach

[zilla_8]

Hi kam88, I would agree with there. All good on that front.


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