Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

eh i'm too tired today to want to do anything so i'm just gonna hang out at home all day.. have fun with the install guys.

[uv23]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped with tools and with moral support. And especially thanks to Simon for doing the actual install. What a difference 2 inches make...

[B Dubbin]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

Glad to hear things went well.

Any advice on how to make the job go smoothly?

What tools do I need?

What parts did you need to buy?

Any tips or tricks or pitfalls to avoid?

Thanks.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

awesome guys what time did you finish up by? i was gonna come down by my insurance co. got back to me and my insurance was off again at 1pm so no more driving the jetta for a while once again :(

[uv23]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

As far as tips and tricks go, the things I picked up were that you need a torque wrench, a spring compressor which can be rented for free with a deposit, and an air wrench thingy (my mechanical knowledge is spectacular) does wonders. As far as time goes, it probably took about 4 hours? The back was really easy but the fronts took more time, especially the right side.

[Kor]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

As far as tips and tricks go, the things I picked up were that you need a torque wrench, a spring compressor which can be rented for free with a deposit, and an air wrench thingy (my mechanical knowledge is spectacular) does wonders. As far as time goes, it probably took about 4 hours? The back was really easy but the fronts took more time, especially the right side.

It probably could have gone faster if Simon didn't have so many of us underfoot

[Khyron]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

Where did you rent the spring compressor from?

Khyron

[Stonewall]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

Where did you rent the spring compressor from?

Khyron

Crappy tire has a nice one to borrow.

[B Dubbin]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

As far as tips and tricks go, the things I picked up were that you need a torque wrench, a spring compressor which can be rented for free with a deposit, and an air wrench thingy (my mechanical knowledge is spectacular) does wonders. As far as time goes, it probably took about 4 hours? The back was really easy but the fronts took more time, especially the right side.

Cool - I'm assuming the "air wrench thingy" is an impact wrench?

As far as parts go (ie nuts and bolts, etc) ... what did you replace?

placenta from the vortex offers this list but he says he's had his apart 4 or 5 times already:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1844179

6 x axle bolts
(NEED PART #)
10mm 12 pt TORX

2 x upper mounts ($16.55/side)
1J0 412 331 C
http://www.impexfap.com/partli...t5467

2 x upper bearings ($6.00/side)
1J0 412 249
http://www.impexfap.com/partli...t5247

(Or buy a mount/bearing kit from parts4vw.com for $15/side)

2 x top plastic caps ($1.34/side)
1J0 412 359
http://www.impexfap.com/partli...82012

2 x top saucer ($10.89/side)
1J0 412 319
http://www.impexfap.com/partli...82004

2 x inner nuts ($2.91/side)
1H0 412 365 A
http://www.impexfap.com/partli...77746

2 x outer nuts ($1.04/side)
N90 353 603
http://www.impexfap.com/partli...t4639

2 x 10mm spacer (optional) ($6.00/side)
1J0 412 311 A
http://www.impexfap.com/partli...27389

[uv23]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

Hmm we didn't need to replace any parts, though the rubber rings on my upper strut mounts are shot.

[B Dubbin]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

Hmm we didn't need to replace any parts, though the rubber rings on my upper strut mounts are shot.

Another question for ya, if you don't mind...

The bentley manual shows Volkswagen special tools being required (that look like two ratchet wrenches, one on top of the other) to unbolt the strut from the strut tower in the engine bay (I think)... what did you guys use?

[uv23]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

You'd have to ask Simon any specific tools questions. I was pretty much just the helper elf.

[Stonewall]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

Another question for ya, if you don't mind...

The bentley manual shows Volkswagen special tools being required (that look like two ratchet wrenches, one on top of the other) to unbolt the strut from the strut tower in the engine bay (I think)... what did you guys use?

My guess is he used an impact. I have some special tool comming next month to make it easier. You can also use a sparkplug socket on a wrench and an allen key to undo the top, that is the way I did it the first time I did it. I also used a hex key socket tapped into the spindel to spread it to get the strut out too, I also have a tool for that comming lol should be a lot easier next time.

[B Dubbin]

Re: Hear ye hear ye. Volunteers welcome for my suspension install on Monday, Feb 21.

My guess is he used an impact. I have some special tool comming next month to make it easier. You can also use a sparkplug socket on a wrench and an allen key to undo the top, that is the way I did it the first time I did it. I also used a hex key socket tapped into the spindel to spread it to get the strut out too, I also have a tool for that comming lol should be a lot easier next time.

Maybe you could explain to me the purpose/function of the tool so I can understand why these alternatives are viable. For one, why are two tools needed simultaneously? How can an impact wrench perform the same function as a sparkplug socket on a wrench combined with an allen key?

Thanks