Possible issue with new coilovers on Mk4 Golf: Help please!

[madglf3]

Hello all,

I have a question for all suspension gurus out there. This thread is also over in Suspension and Wheels, I thought that the Mk4 forum probably gets more traffic though.

I recently purchased a set of FK Sport Edition Plus coilovers from ECS and was looking at them before I put them on (planned for this Sunday). I noticed a small issue...


On the front struts I noticed a slight problem with the inside diameter of one of the spring plates (pictured above, the one on the left). This difference is only really slight, but still has an effect. I also notice that the two spring plates seem to have a slightly different finish.

This is the functioning one:


This is the non-functioning one:


Firstly, am I right in assuming that this spring plate IS meant to have enough clearance on the inside to move freely up and down the shaft (that's what she said)? As in, the thread on the end of the strut will be able to be secured to the strut tower and thus transfer the bumps etc through the shock absorber, but the spring plate will be held up against the nut at the top by the pressure of the springs?

Below are another couple of pictures of the problematic spring hat, one alongside the normal one. Note the slight wear on the part caused by slightly tightening the nut; thus putting pressure on the spring hat and pushing it down the shaft without adequate clearance.

(the left one has the issue)



I was hoping that it was just as simple as a problem with the casting, a bur perhaps or a slightly off machining. Could I just carefully wet-dry sand the inside of the spring hat to increase the inside diameter?

Also, if anyone could link me to somewhere with a really clear diagram or illustration of Mk4 Golf suspension (struts including strut hats, bearing etc., in particular) I would greatly appreciate it.

Hopefully this all makes a bit of sense. I've had a long day sorry.

Thanks,
Matt.

[undisclos3d]

hahah "thats what she said" made me chuckle! Doesn't seem right to me, I just checked on my coilovers that came the other day, and they have just enough inside clearance for them to slide up and down. I would email Everything you said to ECS see what they think.

I reckon you could just like you said, sand the inside. Or get it Machined down a touch. But first email ECS They are usually pretty helpful with these little problems!

steve