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[greggearhead]

Well, since I didn't have the parts I needed to work on the Jetta yesterday, after finishing the trophies I started in on the Suspension of the Fox.  The rear is easier (no change in alignment, no spring compressor needed) so I did that first. 

Since this is a B1, in addition to a wagon, there are no off-the-shelf lowering parts to buy.  Its hard to find stock parts!  So, I decided I would start by cutting the springs a bit to stiffen and lower it so it is better to drive and see if there are any clearance problems, etc that crop up before going lower, and possibly getting some even stiffer springs. 


Put it up in the air, supported the axle, disconnected the shocks, let the axle down and pulled the springs out.  I decided to start with one and a half coils cut off, because I can always go back and cut more, but its hard to add it back... 

New shocks next to the old Sachs shocks - old ones still work well, but Konis are stiffer and cooler, of course...




Stock spring next to the cut one, closeups on height measurements.




Stock:



1.5 Coils cut off:

[Southcross]

nice, what kind of drop did you get with just that much coil?  how noticeable is the stiffening?

[greggearhead]

Well, the rubber snubber should probably be shortened since I was lowering it, so I cut off about 1.5", as I figured that would be a good place to start.  

Stock snubber:




Cut snubber:




Piece cut off:




Bolted everything back together, dropped it down and it sits about 1.5-2" lower, though doesn't look 'low' compared to most lowered cars.  Good start, though and will give me a chance to drive it and see.  Next - to do the front!  

[Southcross]

haha... looks like you circumcised your bump stop

[greggearhead]

Rear End after lowering:




Stock frent end for reference (forgot to take a 'Before' rear end photo!) which sat about the same height as the rear:

[Southcross]

makes me WANT to do the same to the Dasher... even though its already got "lowering" springs on it

[greggearhead]

I may try the 740 Volvo Springs on this, too, but want it to end up about an inch lower than it is right now.  Took it around the block and it is much better, but not stiff enough yet.  Sway bar in the rear might help - may have to adapt one from a Mk1 or some other make/model of car.

[scurvy_bandit]

Is the rear torsion beam?  If so either box it in OR get the bar from o-bars.com

They are 99 bucks and as long as the measurements are close, everything should work out!

[Southcross]

I still havent tried it, but the DOG guys say we can use a Mk2 Jetta rear sway.... still not sure how it works though

one thought I have toyed with, is going "dual" springs in the rear (shorter smaller diameter ones through the middle of the big stock springs) to give additional stiffness

[Southcross]

Is the rear torsion beam?  If so either box it in OR get the bar from o-bars.com

They are 99 bucks and as long as the measurements are close, everything should work out!

I just looked at the o-bar... 1. I don't know how close the rear axle beam is on the B1 to any of those models, maybe the fox?  And 2. I would have reservations on drilling any holes in my rear beam, considering if something were to happen to the beam, that's it... spend 10 months looking for another "good" one and wind up spending $$$ to ship it from some other part of the US

[greggearhead]

Nope, not a torsion beam - just a passive axle, with a trailing arms to it and a lateral locating link. 

O-bar wouldn't work.  Gonna hafta be a conventional type setup.

[Southcross]

Nope, not a torsion beam - just a passive axle, with a trailing arms to it and a lateral locating link. 

O-bar wouldn't work.  Gonna hafta be a conventional type setup.

Well, I see there are three Mk2 Jettas at your upullandpay... . $16 w/ core

[scurvy_bandit]

Heading to Up&p today to get a look on whats in the yard..

[Southcross]

Heading to Up&p today to get a look on whats in the yard..

the one in Aurora is supposed to have a 78 Scirocco

[greggearhead]

FYI - Mk2 rear swaybars are integral to the axle - you can't really remove them.  DOG must be referring to an aftermarket one, or possibly a torsion axle rear suspension like the VW Fox. 

[greggearhead]

The rear seems to have settled a touch more on the way home, though not enough to be cool yet.