Mk3 sitting really low at the back.

My Golf TDI came with some cheap rubbish coilovers fitted. I had some front Konis TA's and H&R -35mm springs for a VR6 kicking about so for the back I got some Eibach Pro "EW 8502002 HA" -30mm rear springs and some used Sachs dampers to go with them. I don't like mix and match suspension but I'm not rich and anything's better than those coilovers..

Anyway I fitted it all today, the car's now at a decent height at the front with a three finger arch gap. But it's sat right on it's **** with the tyre (195/50 x15) just up inside the arch. I know the rear top mounts are together properly and I don't really see what else I could have got wrong, it's simple stuff really.

The only thing I can think of is the rear dampers are wrong (stupidly I didn't note the part number) but my mate bought them new for his GTI and ran them for a couple of months before I got them off him.

Is there something I've missed?

 

When you installed the rear springs and shocks, were they long enough to extend beyond full droop with both wheels off the ground or were they short?

Are the rears coil overs that you can raise?

PS :The only part of the shock/damper that counts is the position of the lower spring cup, but if the strut fits to max travel and the springs aren't loose then it's something in the mounting or the spring are too soft.

 

I changed one at a time so the axle wasn't actually hanging without a damper connected at any point.

The new struts are straight dampers and coils not adjustable for height.

Fitting the springs to the dampers didn't require spring compressors but the springs are snug on them, no rattling about.

 

So you're riding the bump stops?

I Googled the part, it's a rear spring from a SEAT Toledo? EW 8502002 HA -> See http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/downloads/Eibach_2007.pdf
I can't see measurements and have no idea if they are the same spring so hard to say. Seemed to install well, maybe they're too soft.

E8530-140 / E8547-140 ( Mk3 according to the pdf. )

 

Not quite on the bump stops, it's still driveable.




Looks like I've got a body in the boot, even when I haven't..

I saw a standard TDI like mine the other day (I was perving at its immaculate rear wheelarches) and I reckon mine's sat a good 4" / 100mm lower at the back.


I went through that Courtney catalogue before buying the springs, yes those are they. Also listed for, seemingly, every type of mk3 as well, pages 120 & 121 I think.





The rear dampers are Sachs 105740. Basic oil dampers but the correct ones for the car according to various suppliers. Mounting eye to lower spring plate measures approximately 12".

If just one side was wrong then I could understand but two out-of-tolerance dampers or springs together? I dunno but I'm really hoping it's not a cock up on my part for I will feel like a tit..

 

I phoned Eibach UK who confirmed that my springs are -30mm and are designed to fit my car. They said the dampers are suitable and agreed that if it was a top mount fault making it sit low I would know about it. Their only suggestion was that maybe the springs had been wrongly labelled..

N/s top mount looks good to me, o/s the same..







Had the wheel off one side. Damper is 12.5" bottom of lower spring plate to mounting eye.

I'll try to find some standard springs to try on it, but at this rate it'll still be too low, unless the Eibachs are wrong. I've got my Corrado's o.e ones somewhere.

 

Can you compare the lower spring cup position, if it's not in the same position, that will change the ride height too. It's difficult to tell by looking but she's defintely dragging her butt on the ground and something isnt right.

 

You are missing the lower washers by the look of that.

On my mk2 (same as mk3) you have 2 rubber mounts and 2 washers either side.
The lower washer stops the strut pushing through the bush.
Mine also has a much smaller amount of thread sticking through the top.

 

This setup replaced coilovers so I don't actually have anything to compare the lower spring cup position to.

How I assembled them; The upper spring plate is held down to the stop ring on the damper rod by the metal sleeve and then a thin nut. The lower bush slid over the sleeve and is sittting directly on the spring plate. Once strut was fitted. Top bush as in the photos with cup shaped washer underneath as well. Then big washer and nut.

I tried another pair of springs on the back the other day. My friend rekoned when they were on his mk3 it sat it a little lower than mine does with the Eibachs, and sure enough so did mine. I'm going to change the dampers next.

 

Ah i see sorry. I got a little confused because you have removed the lower washer alreadyin that pic.
I have just re assembled my rear coilovers with softer springs and i don't think you are missing anything then. they must just be that low.
I think you are wasting time changing dampers though as the spring controls ride height, that is unless the dampers are incorrect and the spring cup position is indeed too low as blis says.

I have got a set of standard mk3 dampers on the back of my mk2 currently if you want me to measure them?

 

You're welcome to them once i refit my coilovers...

 

Sorry for not getting back sooner, the world stops turning for Christmas apparently.. Annoyingly I haven't had time to try any other springs on the car either so I'm no further forward.

That would be great if you could please. I'll let you know if I need them once I've compared them to mine. Thank you.

Rubjonny: Yep I have no.12. They're good with no splits or damage. Bumpstops are ok, ones a bit rough at the bottom but they both stay clipped up to the top. The damper shaft covers were both tatty so I binned them. I don't have 19 or 6 at all, but all aftermarket VW dampers I have come across have the funtions these perform stamped into the lower spring plate, if that makes sense. Other than that it's all as per the diagram. Thanks for the footwork.