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Jan 31, 2015 20:58:45 GMT
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We have a 2004 VW Lupo in the family fleet, 1.7SDi with 92,000 miles... runs as sweet as a nut and still gives over 50MPG. However, the little thing handles like a Rowntree's Jelly (other jellies are available) on corners, so I'm guessing the 11 year old suspension needs a little TLC. I'm *NOT* interested in lowering, spring chopping, coilovers, airbags, etc... just trying to restore the ride a little. So the plan is to replace the bushes, with standard bushes as I don't believe it warrants being poly-bushed. But here's were I need all your expert views... what components ACTUALLY wear out? I'm guessing the shocks will benefit from replacement, but do coil springs become less effective over time? Please discuss... here's a pic of the offending Lupo:  |
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Ich habe kein Geld!
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Jan 31, 2015 21:19:16 GMT
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it still sits nice and high so id guess the springs are fine , they do age a bit but i doubt yours need repalcing
dampers and bump stops wear out , top mounts do too
have you ever driven a low miles one though , might be a bit floaty anyway
don't automaticly think all poly bushes are for race cars , some will be cheaper and easier to fit than the rubber versions
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91 golf g60, 89 golf 16v , 88 polo breadvan
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Jan 31, 2015 22:24:25 GMT
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cars can feel like they don't handle well, if you can get it 4 wheel aligned after you change any obvious bad bits is well worth the money.
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taurus
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,084
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Only to second what's said above. Springs are probably fine - I only ever replace broken ones.
Dampers are certainly worth replacing. They get less effective with age/miles but its gradual so you don't notice it.
Suspension bushes/top mounts - with it being a diesel they're worth checking. The petrol ones last longer, the front end of small diesels often get tired quicker.
Once you've done what needs doing a 4 wheel alignment is well worth it.
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good brand matching tyres will also transform a car comapred to budgets
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91 golf g60, 89 golf 16v , 88 polo breadvan
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If you are going to replace bushes, don't put anything other than OE stuff on it. The cheap curse word from EuroCarPrats/GSF is barely fit for purpose and will only last a year.
Rear axle bushes are (if I remember right) the same design as mk3 golf which definitely wear over time and make the car wander. They are a swine to change though, as you really need to take the axle off the car and press replacements in.
Front wishbone bushes are straightforward enough, just buy replacement wishbones with them already in and bolt up.
I wouldn't recommend putting poly bushes on, True, they are easier to fit but there is little or no consideration to NVH when they are designed/made, so you will almost certainly end up with increased road noise. A lot of them don't last anywhere near the claimed eleventy million years either, again because of poor design.
it's bound to be due a set of dampers by now, Bilstein stuff is good value IMO. The springs will be fine.
Once you've done all that you'll need to get the camber and tracking set up on the front - the hub-strut mounting bolt holes are slotted and allow a fair bit of adjustment. There is no adjustment on the rear.
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,158
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Phew, thought you wanted suspension EXPLAINED, books and books are written........!  I'd go with OE parts, they lasted almost 100K and VW probably got the best compromise between ride, NVH and handling. Dampers (see what I did there? I've read a book on suspension design!  ) are the things that mainly control that “wallowing” feeling, worn bushes give that “wandering” feeling and a good 4 wheel set up will get the car pointing where you want it to go. And lastly, don't forget tyre pressures. They have a big impact on the cars ride and handling, they're also very easy to change! |
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Guys, thanks for all your "plain english" advice!
I should have clarified that the car is on matching rubber all round (Uniroyal RainExperts - affordable, but not ditchfinders!) and tyre pressures are checked regularly.
So looks like replacement front wishbones, dampers and top mounts then... followed by a 4 wheel alignment.
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Ich habe kein Geld!
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ive got those tyres on one of my golfs , the seem a bit soft on the side walls for me , feels like you could push em off the rim if you go a bit fast on a roundabout
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91 golf g60, 89 golf 16v , 88 polo breadvan
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Also add steering tie-rods on your investigation list.
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 Click picture for more |
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Also add steering tie-rods on your investigation list. Excuse my ignorance, but why?  |
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Ich habe kein Geld!
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Just change the dampers for some Bilstein Gas ones. Recent VW shocks are curse word. I have a 2010 Polo and it has had 2 worn shocks and it has less than 30k on it. The MK4 Golf I had before that was equally curse word.
The bushes are a real pain to change, but the shocks are simple. I would do these first, before doing anything else.
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BMW 2002 Tii (in total rehab)
BMW 1602 (Also in rahab !!)
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,158
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Also add steering tie-rods on your investigation list. Excuse my ignorance, but why? That's a good call, sloppy steering from worn joints. See how far you can turn the steering wheel before the road wheel moves....! |
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worth having a good look at the ball joints and steering ends , although alot of the pattern ones don't last long now so id keep the vag ones if they're still tight
might as well do everything then have it aligned on a hunter machine then its done for a good while
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91 golf g60, 89 golf 16v , 88 polo breadvan
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) are the things that mainly control that “wallowing” feeling, worn bushes give that “wandering” feeling and a good 4 wheel set up will get the car pointing where you want it to go.
