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FOREWORD. |
STEP 1. |
How to change the suspension on a 2006 MKV Jetta
GLI. The procedures outlined should be the same
for GTI/Golf on the same platform.
In this example, we installed Neuspeed springs
on the stock GLI shocks. Most people will want
to change out the struts and shocks, but
overall, the ride is not bad with this setup.
VW TECH BY:
Swankmonkey.com |
Start by removing
the center cap for the front wheels. Loosen the
axle bolt with a 27mm socket. Then loosen the
lug nuts slightly. Jack up both sides and then
remove the road wheels.
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STEP 2. |
STEP 3. |
Let's start by
removing the sway bar end link that is attached
to the strut. This is an 18mm nut. Push the sway
bar out of the way of everything. |
If the car you are
doing is HID equipped, undo the connector to the
leveller arm with a 10mm socket. You might need
a small pliers to hold the back side while you
remove the nut. |
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STEP 4. |
STEP 5. |
The pinch bolt for
the strut comes out next. Use a 14mm Triple
Square socket (NOT a torx!) and a 18mm
socket to remove the pinch bolt. After that, at
the end and bottom of the lower control arm,
there are 3 16mm nuts that hold the ball joint
on. Remove them and separate the ball joint
mount from the lower control arm. |
Knock the axle out
of the hub very carefully. Do not tap any
splines inside the hub or deform the end of the
axle.
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STEP 6. |
STEP 7. |
Use a strut
spreader tool to expand the lower hub. The tool
can be purchased or rented from any good tool
shop Wiggle things a bit to get them in
alignment, the hub should drop down until it is
free from the strut. |
Pull out the
rubber strip for the upper plastic cover. You
can pull the cover up enough to get a basic
socket on it. In this case, a short 13mm. Undo
all 3 bolts, and the strut will come out. Reach
down and hold it on the last bolt or have a
friend hold it. After that, the strut/spring
assembly should come right out. |
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STEP 8. |
STEP 9. |
Compress the
springs and use a 21mm socket on an impact gun.
Remove the top bolt and the assembly will come
apart. Cut down your bump stops and assemble the
new assembly. |
Reassembly is just
the reverse of all of this. We did the driver's
side first. The axle absolutely had to come out.
On the passenger side, we only had to remove it
about 1/2 way. The driver's side is most
definitely the hardest side to do! If you can
get past that point, you have it made! |
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THE REARS - STEP 10. |
COMPLETED PROJECT. |
Rears - The
rears are pretty straight forward. Jack up the
car, remove the wheels. Remove the two top shock
bolts. Watch for the HID leveller if equipped,
undo the little arm. Then just undo the bolt at
the end of the control arm. Careful, the
suspension will snap to the ground as it's under
pressure. Remove and replace the springs. |
After
installation, let things settle. I recommend
200-300 miles. Then get an alignment. Even if
things feel straight, your toe will go out and
cause uneven tire wear. You may also have to
adjust your HID's using a VAG-com to set the
baseline. The hid levellers may need to have
their brackets bent, too. |
