Spacing Springs To Retain Ride Height

Technical Area Steering & Suspension
2

I need to replace the broken standard springs on a 97 MK1 and want to maintain a level of comfort, the Eibachs I tryed before are a real no-no as the car rode on the bump stops all the time and was very very stiff, the smallest bumps shook the whole car.

I have KYB AGX dampers fitted and like the idea of slightly stiffer springs but don’t want to lower the car. I have been toying with the idea of spacing the damper perch approx 20mm and fitting either Tein or Apex springs - this should give near stock ride height (I hope!!)

I am not 100% sure what spacers I would use and may get some turned from Aluminium if I cannot find any off the shelf. I have also read that the perch can be removed on the AGX’s and spacers fitted, but I have not got them off the car yet to inspect so watch this space.

Long term I will probably fit the P5 Sportdrive kit, but need a solution for at least the next few months and don’t want to change to standard sprinngs as the current ones have broken after about 3500 miles and unless I buy genuine they may be made by the same source.

The main question then:

Has anyone used spacers on an 5, if so witch ones and did they work?

Can anyone see any problems in the above proposal, for example will a 20mm spacer under the spring lift the car 20mm or is it more complex than that?

Any other spring recomendations that the wife is likely to approve of?

 

3

I will be interested in the answer to this one.  I have a Mk2 which rides too low at the back, crashing through onto the bump stops on all but very smooth main roads.  I am in the process of replacing the 110k mile standard springs/dampers with new standard items, but I’m not sure that will cure the ride height problem.

I have a set of standard Mk1 springs for sale cheap if you want a temporary solution to your problem.  Might depend where you are as postage will push up the price.  I’m in South Devon.

The leverage between spring and wheel means that a 20mm spacer will raise the car something like 1.5 times that amount.

Alan

4

What about getting the “coilover” kits that pop up on ebay all the time (about £60 inc postage) and just use the adjustable perches until you’ve replaced the suspension, then you can sell them on?

pete