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