Completed my suspension work/upgrade
10-25-2006, 09:09 PM
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Completed my suspension work/upgrade
As some of you know I hit a massive bump on the interstate that blew out my struts and bent all of my wheels. I decided that I would upgrade from my H&R/Boge setup to a GroundControl/Bilstein Sport with 375f/325r springs setup. I replaced all the strut mounts, two rear tie rod ends, one rear ball joint and all control arm bushings. The control arm bushings were replaced with polly bushings. I also replaced the rear calipers and parking brake cables while I had everything apart. I figured I would put up some eye candy for the forum members.
This is the workspace, my mom's garage. I was house sitting for the week while she and her husband were on a cruise. I hope to inherit that mint 81 GTI one day.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/3.jpg">
This is my buddy Billy (which some of you know from Carlisle 1 & 2). He was so kind to give me a hand on this project.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/2.jpg">
This is one of the rears taken off. I ended up needing 5 loan-a-tools from AutoZone!
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/1.jpg">
I broke two pullers trying to get the hub off of the half shaft on this one.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/4.jpg">
I started on a Monday and had all four corners off by Tuesday. I had to wait for the coil overs to come in on Wednesday to continue on.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/6.jpg">
My new control arm bushings. I ended up having my mechanic push the old ones out.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/8.jpg">
The fronts put together and ready to be put back on. Mmmmm, nice and shiny. I found a guy who welds on the side to put the threaded collar perches on. He did a very nice job.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/9.jpg">
A close up of the weld.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/10.jpg">
And a pic of the final product. This is about as low as I would want to put it. I adjusted them to the suspensions lowest setting which was so low that I could not get the jack from under the car.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/11.jpg">
I am very happy with how this turned out. I did run into a few problems but it was nothing a big hammer, a torch, and a thread file couldn't help. Oh, and not to mention the mechanics lubricant, BEER!
My next project will be to undertake replacing the engine, tranny, and diff mounts. Oh, and I did end up settling the law suite against the road construction company....woohoo!
This is the workspace, my mom's garage. I was house sitting for the week while she and her husband were on a cruise. I hope to inherit that mint 81 GTI one day.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/3.jpg">
This is my buddy Billy (which some of you know from Carlisle 1 & 2). He was so kind to give me a hand on this project.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/2.jpg">
This is one of the rears taken off. I ended up needing 5 loan-a-tools from AutoZone!
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/1.jpg">
I broke two pullers trying to get the hub off of the half shaft on this one.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/4.jpg">
I started on a Monday and had all four corners off by Tuesday. I had to wait for the coil overs to come in on Wednesday to continue on.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/6.jpg">
My new control arm bushings. I ended up having my mechanic push the old ones out.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/8.jpg">
The fronts put together and ready to be put back on. Mmmmm, nice and shiny. I found a guy who welds on the side to put the threaded collar perches on. He did a very nice job.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/9.jpg">
A close up of the weld.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/10.jpg">
And a pic of the final product. This is about as low as I would want to put it. I adjusted them to the suspensions lowest setting which was so low that I could not get the jack from under the car.
<img src="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cstannar/Suspension%20Upgrades/11.jpg">
I am very happy with how this turned out. I did run into a few problems but it was nothing a big hammer, a torch, and a thread file couldn't help. Oh, and not to mention the mechanics lubricant, BEER!
My next project will be to undertake replacing the engine, tranny, and diff mounts. Oh, and I did end up settling the law suite against the road construction company....woohoo!
10-25-2006, 09:15 PM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Woww!! That looks very nice Collin.
The stance looks soo good, even with those wheels, I really like it. How does it ride?
I should be in Indy NEXT weekend. Ya gonna be around?
I should be in Indy NEXT weekend. Ya gonna be around?
10-25-2006, 09:42 PM
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Re: Woww!! That looks very nice Collin.
I will be arround. Just hit me up when you know you know you will be in Indy. I know you want to take it for a spin. If I remember correctly you told me once that you like a really stiff ride (no wise cracks ya pervs). I am pretty sure this will make you want some adjustable coil overs. And yeah, those wheels are kinda dingy. I had to put my winter set on early because the 17 inchers were all f'ed up. I ended up geting almost half of what I paied for them at a recycling place though.
10-26-2006, 05:50 AM
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That's no '81 Gti......
No American market Gti's were produced in '81
Looks more like an '83 '84 Gti.
Never theless where's your mom's garage I'd like that mint Gti!
Looks more like an '83 '84 Gti.
Never theless where's your mom's garage I'd like that mint Gti!
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10-26-2006, 07:32 AM
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A place called Mpact Motorsports out in Cali
Great people to work with. I would definately recomend using them if you dont want to go the more pricy 2bennett route.<ul><li><a href="http://www.mpactmotorsports.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=202&osCsid=b4e357 1ff67d3636340e1db39682c056">Direct link</a></li></ul>
