Suspension Help

[Michael Guidotti]

Hey Jason,

I spoke with someone from Bilstein a few years back and was told that the HD's and sports were the same except that the sports had more rebound resistance, usually used with after market springs which, typically are stiffer. If you look on www.bilstein.com it says "Recommended for use if shorter springs are installed." for the sports but it does not say why. I have on my 87 5KTQ H&R springs with bilstein sport shocks up front and Spax in the rear (soon to be replaced with Bilstein).
If all you are doing is replacing the shocks the front is very easy and is something you can do yourself even if you have never done it before. BUT... if you are changing the springs then it becomes much more complicated! and the front can be a MAJOR PITA. the rear of the car is the same amount of work regardless. the rear is very easy to do, all you really need is a spring compressor and some basic tools.
Anyway getting back to your original question I prefer the sports but thats me, it depends on the ride you are looking for. I would recommend keeping the H&R springs. The choice of shocks is up to you both are great just serve a slightly different purpose.  Plus if you do have a shop do the work they will charge a LOT less if all you are doing is replacing the shocks. and honestly I think you will regret it if you change the springs, stock springs on that car were way too soft. if you have been driving it with H&R's the entire time you have owned the car you might not be very happy with the stock ones. of course this is just mho.
also I have never had problems getting an alignment and have very even tire wear, you might have some worn bushings in your suspension. a good shop will tell you this and should not even attempt to do an alignment unless they are just looking to make money. if they were all done at the same place I might look for another shop.
I was not sure how much info you were looking for so if you want any detailed stuff, just let me know.

good luck,

Mike Guidotti

87 5KTQ
88 GTI 16v
02 ZX3

>>> "jason snider" <jason_chad at hotmail.com> 04/13/02 05:18PM >>>
The struts on my '86 5ktq have some play at the top so I'm gonna go ahead
and get new shocks at all 4 corners and get new strut mounts and bearings. I
have the H&R springs with stock shocks (PO's setup). I am having tire wear
problems even after having the alignment done multiple times. I can't find
anyone in my area that will slot the mounts, so I think I'm gonna try the
stock shocks with Bilsteins. I may want to use the H&Rs again though, so do
I go with the Sports or the HD's? Shox.com told me to go with the HD's while
another vendor told me to go with the Sports. Any BTDT's?
Also, I've looked through the procedure in the bentley and it looks like the
fronts may be tough but the rears a little more straightforward. The VW shop
quoted me around $600 for all the work (mounts, bearings, shocks/struts
installed and alignment). Plus the cost of the parts...I'm looking around
1100-1200!!! I can't afford this so, I'm hoping I can at least do part of
the work myself.
Thanks,
Jason
'86 5ktq
Cracked downpipe, no aux. H2o pump, worn tires, clunky-bouncy suspension =
still fun as hell



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