Front strut diagram:

Rear shock diagram:

The following part numbers and prices are courtesy of 'Bowders', so any thanks should be aimed in his direction! I just added some torques and a list of any non-standard tools I could think of.

SKODA:

Front Suspension

Outer nut, self-locking 21mm x2 part# N90 353 603 (top of suspension strut) [60Nm]

Lower strut mounting bolt 18mm x2 part# N10 207 803

Lower strut mounting nut 18mm x2 part# N10 106 402 [60Nm + 90°]

Hub Strut Spreader x1 3424

Rear Suspension

Upper shock mounting bolt 16mm x4 part# N90 648 401[30Nm + 90°]

Lower shock bolt 16mm x2 part# N90 517 304 [60Nm]

Lower shock nut 16mm x2 part# N10 286 110

~£30

GSF:

Front Suspension

Strut Top Bearing x2 1J0-412-249 (GSF P/N 45737A)

Strut Top Mount x2 1J0-412-331C (GSF P/N 45736)

~£20

TOOLS:

Allen key for strut

Offset spanner/Open socket for strut nut

6mm spanner for rear shock [25Nm]

Front spring compressor

Now for my questions:

(Bearing in mind I want to fit some coilovers to the car).

-Do I need to buy new collar nuts (item 9 on front strut)?

-Do I need to buy new bearings and nuts for the top of the rear shocks (items 5 and 6)?

-What needs removing on the front end, in order to replace the strut? Is it just strut top nut, strut bottom bolt, 3 ball joint bolts? Or do I need to remove the disc, caliper and hub? Will I need spring compressors to get the strut out? Do I need to detach the track rod from the hub?

I'm predicting 6 hours for the job (I'm slow)!

Thanks in advance guys

As far as I can see, these are the suspension options for a vRS:

ADJUSTABLE KITS:

Vmaxx RS Specific £391

KWv1 RS Included £784

JOM RS Specific £329

H&R RS Specific £1045

Weitec Hicon GT (13282002) RS Included £488

Weitec Hicon TX (18282002) RS Included £700

Eibach Pro Street S RS Specific £776

FIXED KITS:

Koni FSD dampers RS Specific £363

H&R (20mm) springs RS Specific £218

These are the best prices I've found from Awesome GTi, Jabba and DPM Performance.

I suspect I shall go for the Weitec GT's, as they suit my budget (£500ish) and are tried and tested. I'd love the KWv1's, but just can't justify the £300 extra over the Weitecs.

-Do I need to buy new collar nuts (item 9 on front strut)?

No your old ones will be fine.

-Do I need to buy new bearings and nuts for the top of the rear shocks (items 5 and 6)?

No, the rear top mount is just a metal casting which the bump stops fit in, new nut should be supplied with the shocks, they were with the FSD's.

-What needs removing on the front end, in order to replace the strut? Is it just strut top nut, strut bottom bolt, 3 ball joint bolts? Or do I need to remove the disc, caliper and hub? Will I need spring compressors to get the strut out? Do I need to detach the track rod from the hub?

Just compress spring and unbolt strut and ARB link from hub, undo top mount then push up strut and maneuver out. By compressing the spring it allows plenty of room at the top of the strut arch.

One more thing look at the rear bump stops and make sure they haven't perished and seperated. You don't want to start this job like I did and need new bump stops.

Edited 7 July, 200916 yr by martziniuk

-Do I need to buy new collar nuts (item 9 on front strut)?

No your old ones will be fine.

-Do I need to buy new bearings and nuts for the top of the rear shocks (items 5 and 6)?

No, the rear top mount is just a metal casting which the bump stops fit in, new nut should be supplied with the shocks, they were with the FSD's.

-What needs removing on the front end, in order to replace the strut? Is it just strut top nut, strut bottom bolt, 3 ball joint bolts? Or do I need to remove the disc, caliper and hub? Will I need spring compressors to get the strut out? Do I need to detach the track rod from the hub?

Just compress spring and unbolt strut and ARB link from hub, undo top mount then push up strut and maneuver out. By compressing the spring it allows plenty of room at the top of the strut arch.

One more thing look at the rear bump stops and make sure they haven't perished and seperated. You don't want to start this job like I did and need new bump stops.

Excellent! Cheers Mart. Sounds like removing the struts isn't too bad then.

I'll add spring compressors to the list, and check up on the rear bump stops.

Thanks alot for clearing that up for me

Lucky you mentioned it......

Just went and checked on the rear bump stops, both of them are ripped in two!

Lucky you mentioned it......

Just went and checked on the rear bump stops, both of them are ripped in two!

Mine have been like this for ages :rofl:

Do me a guide when you do yours :D:D:D

Oh yeah .......What are the implications of them being farked on my car

Ha ha

I got my front shocks and springs fitted and went to fit the rears and found the stops had torn in two. I had no option but to fit the rear shocks until i got some new bump stops then strip rears back down again. Luckily the rears are easy.

Fronts should be ok as they are under the protective sleeve

Mine have been like this for ages :rofl:

Do me a guide when you do yours :D:D:D

Oh yeah .......What are the implications of them being farked on my car

You may get muck working its way into the strut. The strut is covered completely with a complete bump stop but when they split the ram is exposed.

You may get muck working its way into the strut. The strut is covered completely with a complete bump stop but when they split the ram is exposed.

But other than that, nothing really. They still stop the bump I guess :rofl:

Now for my questions:

(Bearing in mind I want to fit some coilovers to the car).

-Do I need to buy new collar nuts (item 9 on front strut)?

-Do I need to buy new bearings and nuts for the top of the rear shocks (items 5 and 6)?

-What needs removing on the front end, in order to replace the strut? Is it just strut top nut, strut bottom bolt, 3 ball joint bolts? Or do I need to remove the disc, caliper and hub? Will I need spring compressors to get the strut out? Do I need to detach the track rod from the hub?

I'm predicting 6 hours for the job (I'm slow)!

Thanks in advance guys

Hi Mate , Martin has answered the questions as I would but to help you a little following this guide:

Noah's MkIV VW H&R Coilover Installation HOWTO

It is for a golf but same set up. (apart from how the anti roll bar links are attached) You only will need to remove the ARB link from the strut and move out of the way. No need to remove the 3 ball joint nuts if you have spring compressors . Plus would recommend the little hub strut seperator tool to wedge into the hub to allow teh struct to slide out easy. Could use a large screw driver or crow bar.

Also as pointed out don't really need to change bolts but I did as routine along with all these parts listed.

Front Suspension

Outer Top nut, self-locking 21mm x2 N90 353 603

Lower strut mounting bolt 18mm x2 N10 207 803

Lower strut mounting nut 18mm x2 N10 106 402

Inner front strut nuts 18mm x2 1H0412365A

Hub Strut Spreader X1 3424

Rear Suspension

Upper shock mounting bolt 16mm X4 N90 648 401

Lower shock bolt 16mm x2 N90 517 304

Lower shock nut 16mm x2 N10 286 110

Fit New Suspension Components From GSF Portsmouth

Front Suspension

Strut Top Bearing x2 1J0-412-249 (GSF P/N 45737A)

Strut Top Mount x2 1J0-412-331C (GSF P/N 45736)

hope this helps

Mark.

Just ordered the Weitec's from Damian at DPM Performance! Woop!

There were so many suppliers offering them, but I went with DPM because of their good reputation on here and helpfulness in answering all my stupid questions!

Can't wait!

P.S. Big thanks to Mart and Mark for your help on what bits I needed etc.

Just thought I'd let you fellas know that the Coilovers arrived on Monday (excellent service from DPM there), and all the nuts/bolts, tools, mounts, bearings and bump stops are on order from Skoda.

I'll be fitting the old girl up with it all on Saturday, so hopefully this rain clears up!

I'm looking forward to turning the car into a skateboard!

Mine have been like this for ages :rofl:

Do me a guide when you do yours :D:D:D

Oh yeah .......What are the implications of them being farked on my car

Rear bump stops are £15 each from Skoda by the way. I can give you a part number on Friday when I pick them up if you want.

Just thought I'd let you fellas know that the Coilovers arrived on Monday (excellent service from DPM there), and all the nuts/bolts, tools, mounts, bearings and bump stops are on order from Skoda.

I'll be fitting the old girl up with it all on Saturday, so hopefully this rain clears up!

I'm looking forward to turning the car into a skateboard!

Hope it all goes well for you and post up comments and pics.

Cheers

Rear bump stops are £15 each from Skoda by the way. I can give you a part number on Friday when I pick them up if you want.

Cool

That would be great.

Don't forget too take plenty of pics when fitting it all :thumbup:

Part number for a Rear Bump Stop is: 1J0 512 131 C @ £30 for a pair from Skoda

Seemed like a bit of a rip-off! They're just lumps of yellow foam!

I have everything I need now, just need this frikkin rain to stop!

I'm very tempted to just slam the scroda as low as she'll go....... but I like my sump too much!

Hi Mate , Martin has answered the questions as I would but to help you a little following this guide:

Noah's MkIV VW H&R Coilover Installation HOWTO

It is for a golf but same set up. (apart from how the anti roll bar links are attached) You only will need to remove the ARB link from the strut and move out of the way. No need to remove the 3 ball joint nuts if you have spring compressors . Plus would recommend the little hub strut seperator tool to wedge into the hub to allow teh struct to slide out easy. Could use a large screw driver or crow bar.

Also as pointed out don't really need to change bolts but I did as routine along with all these parts listed.

Front Suspension

Outer Top nut, self-locking 21mm x2 N90 353 603

Lower strut mounting bolt 18mm x2 N10 207 803

Lower strut mounting nut 18mm x2 N10 106 402

Inner front strut nuts 18mm x2 1H0412365A

Hub Strut Spreader X1 3424

Rear Suspension

Upper shock mounting bolt 16mm X4 N90 648 401

Lower shock bolt 16mm x2 N90 517 304

Lower shock nut 16mm x2 N10 286 110

Fit New Suspension Components From GSF Portsmouth

Front Suspension

Strut Top Bearing x2 1J0-412-249 (GSF P/N 45737A)

Strut Top Mount x2 1J0-412-331C (GSF P/N 45736)

hope this helps

Mark.

forget about the hub spreader, i bought one and never used it:thumbup:

mmmm Ive just called VW and they wont sell me the Hub spreader? does anyone know were else I can get one from?

cheers

billy

mmmm Ive just called VW and they wont sell me the Hub spreader? does anyone know were else I can get one from?

cheers

billy

Laser do one

http://www.lasertools.co.uk/item.aspx?cat=776&item=755

mmmm Ive just called VW and they wont sell me the Hub spreader? does anyone know were else I can get one from?

cheers

billy

If you get stuck trying to get one. I can post you mine to use then post it back when finnished.

I can get them from VW in Portsmouth , so don't know why they won't sell it to you.

If you like I can buy one for you and post it .

Mark.