Suspension problem

smokey · Post by **smokey** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 8:59 pm

Hi all, I seem to be able to feel every bump in the road now and not just in the seat I can feel it through the pedals could this be the suspension ?

gazza82 · Post by **gazza82** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 11:26 pm

Check the big rubber bushes in front susprnsion arms and for play in balljoints.

smokey · Post by **smokey** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:14 pm

Are these easy to replace, I have some knowledge of cars?

gazza82 · Post by **gazza82** » Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:40 pm

Replace complete arms. You can replace just the bushes but by then the balljoints are probably shot.

Make sure you by the GTI spec arms. The "normal" rubber ones split within months ... they can't take the weight of the engine and the added weight of the folding roof.

Oh and they are not for the faint-hearted to tackle ...

smokey · Post by **smokey** » Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:53 pm

So two competent engineers could do this? I have been looking on the net and looks like I will need to buy a splitter to do this job?

gazza82 · Post by **gazza82** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 8:42 pm

Shouldn't need to. Remove the clamp bolt that holds the balljoint in hub and gently open it up with a small cold chisel. Just a gnat's whisker!

Then force the arm down sharply. I use a length of 4x2 hardwood, laid over the arm and under the floor pan. Then stamp on the end. Never fails.

The bolts through the mountings are torx shape so you may need to get a set. I've got one car where these have been fitted from top and one from bottom. For safety I think from top is best ... I put some loctite blue on ones fitted from underneath and torque to correct limit.

It's getting the balljoint back that usually tries my patience ... ;-)

Telecaster · Post by **Telecaster** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 11:27 am

OK now how do I get all this back together I have replaced the lower arm and fitted the ball joint first as per Haynes manual I can't seem to get the lower arm retaining bolts to go in what's the secret? Please advise before I hit the bottle and go into a sulk?,,

gazza82 · Post by **gazza82** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 3:17 pm

Fit mounting bolts first then balljoint ... Haynes at their finest ... again ...

Telecaster · Post by **Telecaster** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 6:51 pm

Yes I thought it was a good read! Any tips on getting the Balljoints in? Best methods and or tools? I've been on it 3 days now so my patience is wearing thin as you can imagine! Thinking about going back to a push bike but the thought of all that Latex is putting me off!

Post by **Capncol** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 10:37 pm

I just lever down the wishbone with a long bar, line up the ball joint and release the bar slowly while lining up the ball joint with the strut.

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