Lowering my mk4 R32??

[balkanac]

I'd go to a suspension specialist that know their way around coilovers and vws. The height needs to be adjusted properly and the wheel alignment needs to be done too. The actual installation Is not hard, anyone with a bit of car knowledge could do it, but after that I'd take it to the specialist

[Manaz]

Some info for you.

As you drop the R32, two suspension settings will fall out of alignment at the rear - toe (toe-in, specifically) and camber. There are actually two control arms the rear suspension on each side of the car that can be replaced with adjustable items to deal with this.

A single set of adjustable arms (put in the lower position) will allow you to adjust the camber primarily, and only a little bit of toe (but not independantly of each other) - so you may find that you have more (or less, I can't remember if you gain or lose toe, I just know it goes out of wack) toe than some workshops are happy with - but you won't be able to do much about it for a given camber setting (which is what you really need to deal with primarily).

If you get another set of adjustable arms and use them in the upper position, you can pretty much get any toe and camber that you want (within reason). I probably wouldn't bother with this on a road car though, the amount of toe misalignment that you get with only a single set of arms is fine unless you're trying to tune your chassis for particular traits under race-style conditions.

I've had ECS adjustable arms on my car. They're the cheapest option I could find, they're actually made from OEM arms, but the adjustable bit is right in the middle, where it's most likely to bend (and mine have). The bushings on mine (on the diff end) have also failed, leaving me with a rotten squeak.

Dyldo had the Gruvenparts adjustable arms, but had some issues with them binding and being impossible to adjust.

Bear in mind that Dyldo and I are only single examples of each of the ECS/Gruvenparts user base, and our experiences may or may not be typical. I wouldn't base any decision purely on our experiences.

KW are suspension experts, and I suspect that of the three, they're the stuff I'd get if I were to buy again.

---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 AM ----------

try here - you would need to confirm if that model is comparable to the R32: Suspension Products for 2002 Volkswagen GTI VR6

Not compatible with the R32 as it wasn't AWD.

DPM - VW Golf 4 Lowering Springs

There are some R32-specific bits in this listing - if it doesn't state R32 or 4Motion, it won't work on an R32.

[thepowercosmic]

I am looking into lowering my R32 because it just sits a little to high! Funds are limited so was looking at maybe just changing the spring but as i have not lowered a car before im not sure what the best thing to do is?? I was looking at going about 20mm lower. I have brought spacers for the front and rear as well. Please advise and the best place to go?? I live on the gold coast,
Thanks

FWIW I have had experience with three suspension setups on the MKIV R32 since new.

1. Stock which were hopeless
2. Euro spec, ie H&R springs with Bilstein shocks if I'm not mistaken. Too stiff in my opinion.
3. KW V3's. Recommended.

Hard to say what the best thing to do is. I've had the KW coilover setup for a while now and enjoy them very much. The coilover option is probably going to be the more costly option.

Which ever option you decide, make sure you replace the strut top mounts at the very least. They're most likely going to need replacing anyway.

Also, be honest with yourself, are you going to keep the car long enough to warrant buying a set of adjustable rear control arms?

Again, FWIW, I have NEVER run a set of adjustable rear control arms. Contrary to what others have mentioned, I don't think that they're needed.

[Manaz]

I have NEVER run a set of adjustable rear control arms. Contrary to what others have mentioned, I don't think that they're needed.

They're only needed if you need rear camber adjustment - and you may need this if you're not a stock road user, or have lowered the car significantly (which produces substantial negative camber at the rear of the car on the R32/Bora4Mo chassis.

I'm running stock R32 suspension at present, and probably don't need the adjustable arms. But when I had the car sitting low on coilovers, I chewed the rear tyres out super quick because of the negative camber.

[BHardstaff]

Thanks for the advice! Decisions decisions! Might take it to peddas? I have Hurd they are good?

[dainese]

sorry wrong thread

[kaanage]

my springs were ok when I first got them (used H&R for cheap to sort out a suspension issue). They have killed my shocks now so need both. Go coilovers first up!

Same here

As Langers had said, you can just buy decent aftermarket dampers if you've killed the OE ones with lowering springs.

Thanks for the advice! Decisions decisions! Might take it to peddas? I have Hurd they are good?

Some Pedders are good and some are ordinary - being franchises, it can be a bit hit or miss. Any place that you trust for a suspension alignment should be fine for fitting aftermarket suspension.