reuse hardware or new hardware? Lowering springs ~ 7.5k miles

[JD-1]

I'm installing VWR springs soon with a friend and I'm not sure if I should buy new hardware or reuse the stuff on the car. My 2018 has 7.5k miles currently.

Thanks!

 

[Sandman GTI]

I'm installing VWR springs soon with a friend and I'm not sure if I should buy new hardware or reuse the stuff on the car. My 2018 has 7.5k miles currently.

Thanks!

New hardware.
Some of the bolts are stretch bolts and are one time use item.
Cost not that high so why risk doing it twice or dealing with noise?

 

[JD-1]

Looks like this is in the min. required hardware

MINIMUM REQUIRED* (for complete front and rear spring / damper job):
•Strut Bearings: 5Q0-412-249-E (Qty 2)
•Front Pinch / Strut Bolts: N-909-548-02 (Qty 2)
•Strut Lock Nut: N-101-064-02 (Qty 2)

 

[GTI Jake]

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25214

 

[nype]

Looks like this is in the min. required hardware

MINIMUM REQUIRED* (for complete front and rear spring / damper job):
•Strut Bearings: 5Q0-412-249-E (Qty 2)
•Front Pinch / Strut Bolts: N-909-548-02 (Qty 2)
•Strut Lock Nut: N-101-064-02 (Qty 2)

If I have the front redone (to cure some intermittent noise issues) I will do all new front hardware.

Required Replacement Parts:

MINIMUM REQUIRED* (for complete front and rear spring / damper job):
•Strut Bearings: 5Q0-412-249-E (Qty 2)
•Front Pinch / Strut Bolts: N-909-548-02 (Qty 2)
•Strut Lock Nut: N-101-064-02 (Qty 2)

EVERYTHING** (for those who want to replace all nuts/bolts regardless)
Front:
•Minimum required parts +
•Strut Mount Bolts: N-101-277-07 (Qty 6)
•Strut Top Nuts: N-910-216-01 (Qty 2 – for stock shocks/dampers only)

 

[Hoon]

I've done them both ways, doesn't seem to make a difference with noise.

Personally I think most of the noise issues are from reusing bearings and mounts, or overtorqing the strut nut. Whether or not the bolts are reused doesn't seem to matter.

 

[blaqsheep]

I only replaced the following and everything else is good:

Strut Mount Bolts: N-101-277-07 (Qty 6)
Strut Top Nuts: N-910-216-01 (Qty 2 – for stock shocks/dampers only)

 

[demi9od]

At 8000 miles I did the minimum plus Strut Mount Bolts: N-101-277-07 (Qty 6). No noises.

 

[GLoBaLReBeL]

How are you guys torquing down the strut nut? Are you using a special tool that allows the strut top to go through the socket so you can get your torx in there to hold the strut?

I think I used an O2 sensor socket but can't remember off the top of my head. Been getting clunking noises for the last few weeks and I am thinking of just tearing it all out and replacing everything with new parts (except actual shocks and struts,)

 

[Hoon]

How are you guys torquing down the strut nut? Are you using a special tool that allows the strut top to go through the socket so you can get your torx in there to hold the strut?

I think I used an O2 sensor socket but can't remember off the top of my head. Been getting clunking noises for the last few weeks and I am thinking of just tearing it all out and replacing everything with new parts (except actual shocks and struts,)

Schwaben makes sockets that allow you to torque the nut while holding the strut with an allen wrench.

 

[Golfs everyday]

I did not replace any of the hardware when I got my VMR springs installed at around 3-4k miles. On colder days no issue but on warmer days the spring makes a light knocking noise when I turn the steering wheel at very low speeds. Kind of annoying but it's not audible outside so I just left it.

 

[The Fed]

Always pays to skimp so you have more money for hoes.

 

[nype]

I did not replace any of the hardware when I got my VMR springs installed at around 3-4k miles. On colder days no issue but on warmer days the spring makes a light knocking noise when I turn the steering wheel at very low speeds. Kind of annoying but it's not audible outside so I just left it.

Usually the reverse for me, no noise on warmer days. Intermittent noise on cooler days.

 

[Bäsemödel]

How are you guys torquing down the strut nut? Are you using a special tool that allows the strut top to go through the socket so you can get your torx in there to hold the strut?

I think I used an O2 sensor socket but can't remember off the top of my head. Been getting clunking noises for the last few weeks and I am thinking of just tearing it all out and replacing everything with new parts (except actual shocks and struts,)

Look up open faced sockets and/or oxygen sensor sockets like you said.

Other option is a spark plug socket and an adjustable wrench.

 

[GTI Jake]

The link I posted answers all of these questions, mainly the how to torque the strut nut properly (with pictures)