Suspension Overhaul Suggestions

[piggasinnaris]

Hi all,

My 2016 184 FR DSG has 85k miles and the suspension is starting to get tired. Front shocks are starting to rot at the bottom, and now squeaking over bumps etc.

So I'm looking for suggestions for what to replace. I was going to just do front shocks and springs but since I'm in there (paying someone sadly, I've nowhere to do it these days) I might as well do a bit more...

Front shocks & springs
Strut mounts & strut bearings
Front ARB drop links
Track rod ends & ball joints
(Maybe lower control arm bushes...?)

I don't want to spend a fortune but if I'm there I might as well do it. Also looking for suggestions for half decent aftermarket stuff. I don't rate Bilstein.

I try and work with the "aint broke don't fix it" mantra but I'm planning on keeping the car so don't mind spending a few quid, but I'm not firing the parts cannon if I don't need to.

Suggestions - what would you do?

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Maybe a good idea to do a visual inspection of bushes. That might help with the decision.

Front arb bushes might also be a good one to do. I can also recommend the dogbone insert and the dogbone itself if you have never replaced them. It made a big difference on my 2015 car.

More pics: https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/th...-leon-st-cupra-280.477591/page-3#post-5069869

More pics: https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/threads/nd-photo-nl-s-seat-leon-st-cupra-280.477591/post-5072847

 

[nd-photo.nl]

And if you see any rusted bolts, replace them with new ones

 

[piggasinnaris]

Thanks @nd-photo.nl for your insights. Is the dogbone insert just a simple drop out and replace affair? It looks like it from those pictures

 

[RUM4MO]

Lower control arms yes definitely, surely any TRE or track rod issues will be apparent when/if they need attention, and so can be dealt with when needed. Lower swivels might as well get replaced if working on the lower arms.

I replaced all of that on my wife's 2015 VW Polo 1.2TSI, okay a completely different car, but I did that back in summer time last year and from then on, the car "felt like new". I only started replacing the front and rear to try to avoid ever ending up with a broken front or rear road spring, been there had that happen too often in the past so aimed to avoid that with this car. I've still got the lower swivels to replace as I ran out of time to have that car up on stands in the garage, I'll be replacing these lower swivels this spring or summer.

Difficult to know where/when to stop doing this sort of preventative work before it "must" get done, my first job on that car was front wheel bearings, not the first VW Group car we've owned from new that I've needed to do that job on.

On the subject of wheel bearings, my 2011 Audi S4 ended up with a faulty front ABS sensor on the morning of its MOT, that got replaced, but no I'm thinking, "was that ABS sensor trashed due to other issues" - like a build up of rust on the outer face/end of the drive shaft - or the growth of dissimilar metal corrosion on the inner face of the wheel bearing/aluminium upright? I'll need to get that new ABS sensor out soon and see which side of its tip is getting worn away - if indeed it is!

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Thanks @nd-photo.nl for your insights. Is the dogbone insert just a simple drop out and replace affair? It looks like it from those pictures

Yes it is! Remove the big bolt, push the insert in and retorque it. Its that "easy". The most difficult part was to get the bolt out and retorque it.

I chose the softest insert for petrol cars, because I didnt want any NVH. And this fits the bill perfectly, no negative side effects on my side. And after I replaced the dogbone with a new one, shifts have become pretty much seamless. I did not expect a big difference as the dogbone only has a small bushing in it, but I was wrong

 

[SuperV8]

Yes it is! Remove the big bolt, push the insert in and retorque it. Its that "easy". The most difficult part was to get the bolt out and retorque it.

I chose the softest insert for petrol cars, because I didnt want any NVH. And this fits the bill perfectly, no negative side effects on my side. And after I replaced the dogbone with a new one, shifts have become pretty much seamless. I did not expect a big difference as the dogbone only has a small bushing in it, but I was wrong

I've heard some negative comments about stiff dogbone mounts on the Diesel's - fine on Petrol's.
Very poor NVH while idling. Not a problem on a track car - but commuter/family car probably not.

 

[SuperV8]

Hi all,

My 2016 184 FR DSG has 85k miles and the suspension is starting to get tired. Front shocks are starting to rot at the bottom, and now squeaking over bumps etc.

So I'm looking for suggestions for what to replace. I was going to just do front shocks and springs but since I'm in there (paying someone sadly, I've nowhere to do it these days) I might as well do a bit more...

Front shocks & springs
Strut mounts & strut bearings
Front ARB drop links
Track rod ends & ball joints
(Maybe lower control arm bushes...?)

I don't want to spend a fortune but if I'm there I might as well do it. Also looking for suggestions for half decent aftermarket stuff. I don't rate Bilstein.

I try and work with the "aint broke don't fix it" mantra but I'm planning on keeping the car so don't mind spending a few quid, but I'm not firing the parts cannon if I don't need to.

Suggestions - what would you do?

My rear dampers were knackered at 90-100k
Found all my springs to be fine.
I wouldn't change any tie rod ends unless needed.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

I've heard some negative comments about stiff dogbone mounts on the Diesel's - fine on Petrol's.
Very poor NVH while idling. Not a problem on a track car - but commuter/family car probably not.

Thats why there is a separate one for diesel, I believe the vibration characteristics are very different compared to petrol car.

I went with the softest polybush insert style instead of the billet alu inserts, because I was afraid that would be too harsh. This is also my daily car, so no extreme stuff

 

[SuperV8]

Thats why there is a separate one for diesel, I believe the vibration characteristics are very different compared to petrol car.

I went with the softest polybush insert style instead of the billet alu inserts, because I was afraid that would be too harsh. This is also my daily car, so no extreme stuff

Yes I know there are 'diesel' versions - and to be clear, i've not used it personally. My comments were formed form conversations i've had with colleagues who have tried some (not sure on the brand) who had to take them straight off as the idle became unbearable. I was thinking of one of these for my TDI - but I have just got a new standard bush to change (when I get round to it)

 

[nd-photo.nl]

I think that is the better option, just renew the bushing.

Polyurethane also needs a little time to settle, but the difference isn't that much. So if its unbearable from the start, it will stay unbearable.