| Two More Inexpensive VW UpgradesIn the first part | | | | Strut Spring Compressor Tool to get the spring |
| of this series, we talked about two inexpensive | | | | compressed. Be sure to keep the sides as even as |
| upgrades that improve performance. First, an upper | | | | possible! Once you feel you've gotten the spring |
| stress bar to improve handling, and second, a cold air | | | | compressed, unscrew the nut at the top of the strut |
| intake to improve horsepower and add some growl. In | | | | tower. Everything should come apart relatively easily. |
| this part we’ll to cover some more ground in the | | | | Slide your existing spring off, and slide the new lower |
| world of suspension enhancements. After all, you want | | | | and stiffer springs on. You may not even need to |
| to get your VW GTI or Jetta out into some curves | | | | compress the new springs when putting everything |
| don't you? If so, you’ll need some quality | | | | back together. When done, slide the entire strut back |
| products to keep you on the road. | | | | into place, and follow the above steps in reverse order. |
| One of the two greatest concerns, when it comes to | | | | Voila! One down, three more to go! |
| ripping the road, is suspension stiffness. Usually when | | | | The second largest concern in tearing through turns is, |
| suspension stiffness is modified, you also tend to | | | | making sure the car doesn't sway in corners. Flailing, |
| modify your center of gravity, otherwise deemed 'Ride | | | | swaying, body-roll, etc. can all lead to disaster when |
| Height'. For about $225.00, a fellow dubber can obtain | | | | cornering hard. The objective is to keep the car from |
| a set of fine quality H&R Springs. Options include the | | | | shifting as much as possible when turning. There's a |
| H&R Sport Springs, which tend to be stiffer than stock, | | | | great deal of expensive hardware in existence to help |
| but not absurdly so. The H&R Race Springs, very stiff, | | | | this out, but let's stay focused on the cheap, but |
| and not very comfortable for everyday ride. If you | | | | effective items. The cheap solution? An Eibach Sway |
| have a Golf or Jetta, then H&R's Sport Springs are | | | | Bar & Anti-Roll Kit! Price? Ballpark cost is around |
| going to make night and day difference alone. If you | | | | $350.00, shipped. The heavier gauge steel used in |
| have a GTI, you already know that the ride can be a | | | | these sway bars is significant improvement over the |
| bit rough, and going to a set of Race Springs is going | | | | stock sway bars. Yes, you have existing sway bars, |
| to make it a bit worse. A rude awakening for most. | | | | but they're weak. Thus, the recommended upgrade. |
| For a GTI owner, a set of Sport Springs should do the | | | | Let's quickly review the install process for your Eibach |
| trick. | | | | Sway Bar & Anti-Roll Kit. Pick the front or back of the |
| Let's quickly review what's entailed in a spring | | | | car to start. Place a block or two behind the tires that |
| replacement. First, you'll need a set of Craftsman Strut | | | | will remain on the ground. (just in case) Jack one end |
| Spring Compressor Tool with Built-In Safety Pins from | | | | of the car up one side at a time and place your jack |
| Sears. They run about $50.00. Now if you're trying to | | | | stands under the front cross-member. (this has always |
| be scrappy, you can always take these back when | | | | worked for me) Get some light under the car and look |
| done. Just clean them up with a little WD-40 when | | | | for the stock sway bar. Locate the nuts/bolts that hold |
| you're finished. ;) The back is going to be harder than | | | | it in place, and begin to loosen them. You may need an |
| the front in a way, as you're probably going to have to | | | | allen wrench and a box wrench in order to remove |
| tear apart some interior. No worries though, it all snaps | | | | the existing sway bar. You'll understand this when you |
| together/apart. Loosen your lug nuts on the first set of | | | | see it. Once bolts are removed, go ahead and finagle |
| wheels while the car is on the ground. Pop the hood | | | | the bar out from underneath the car. Repeat these |
| and loosen the strut tower nuts. Place a block or two | | | | steps in reverse in order to get the new sway bar in |
| behind the tires that will remain on the ground. (just in | | | | place. Drop some grease on those bushings. Rinse, |
| case) Jack one end of the car up one side at a time | | | | lather, repeat for other end of car. Thanks Eibach! |
| and place your jack stands under the front | | | | For the average Joe, the two of these upgrades |
| cross-member. (this has always worked for me) Pull | | | | combined provide substantial improvement over the |
| off the first wheel, and remove bolts according to the | | | | stock equipment. Combine them with the two items in |
| Bentley Manual for your Golf or Jetta. Shimmy that | | | | Part I of this series, and you should find your car riding |
| strut out of there as a whole unit. | | | | on rails like you were at Six Flags Magic Mountain. |
| Once the strut is on the ground, go ahead and use the | | | | |