Aluminum Spacer and Wheel Gap

[1.8T_WOT]

I replaced the front strut mounts on my MKIV over the weekend (due to cracking/popping noises when turning the steering wheel) and to my dismay I found that the aluminum spacers had not been removed when my suspension was installed a few months ago (I had requested that they be removed!!). I've heard that the aluminum spacers can cause your bearings to become over-stressed with shorter/stiffer springs and sure enough, the mo-fo's were busted all to hell. Btw/ the inside and upper strut nuts were torqued to spec, so that didn't appear to be the problem.

This is probably old news to some, but a good heads-up for everyone else. At least the shop that did the original work is going to give me a free re-alignment... Once again, if you need something done right, do it yourself.

I also replaced all 4 springs over the weekend. My wheel gap is a 3/4" larger on the front left side when compared to the rest of the car. I realize that the springs will settle some, but a 3/4" seems like a lot. Should it settle?

Thanks to Sefan for lending his tools!

[Tuna]

Re: Aluminum Spacer and Wheel Gap

I also replaced all 4 springs over the weekend. My wheel gap is a 3/4" larger on the front left side when compared to the rest of the car. I realize that the springs will settle some, but a 3/4" seems like a lot. Should it settle?

Is it possible you didn't put the end of the spring all the way into the cup? I don't know how to describe it, but the end of the coil needs to be placed into the cup properly or else it will be higher than it should be.

[1.8T_WOT]

Re: Aluminum Spacer and Wheel Gap

I was pretty thorough with the install. I'll have a look again tonight, but I'm sure that everything was seated properly.