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Coil Over Installation Advice for Novice

JJ_MK7

Go Kart Champion
Location
San Antonio
Car(s)
2020 GTI Autobahn
Now that I have received my new Bilstein B16 Coilovers, I need to start putting a plan together to understand how to replace them on my 2020 GTI. I have never done any suspension work of this nature so I'm super intimidated by it. I'm looking for some advice from the members here that have done this type of work before.

Also, I have being wondering if I should purchase some hardware (eg. bolt, nuts, etc) to replace the OEM ones that have already being stretch.
 

CoryJo

Drag Racing Champion
Location
Hanford. CA
Car(s)
mk7 gti autobahn pp
https://www.shopdap.com/mk7-gti-suspension-install-kit-basic.html

something like this might suit you well, as it is good practice to replace the bolts as recommended

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...k-damper-installation-reference-guide.334926/

here is a guide that can prove useful, this information is out there, your google-fu lacks polish. ;-P

https://www.shopdap.com/blog/post/mk7-gti-coilovers-and-install-diy.html


but in all seriousness, that should be all you need. take your time and read and watch some install videos. make sure you have everything before you take your car apart * cant take it to the store if its in pieces*

good luck
 

odessa.filez

Autocross Newbie
Location
Roswell, GA
Car(s)
2016 GSW 1.8tsi auto
in addition,

Assuming you know how to get the car up on 4 jack stands safely. If not, practice doing that a few times. Putting the car on them, taking it off.

Once you learn this, put the car on jack stands, remove wheels. Take pictures of the stock parts from different angles, as they are properly installed.

Reserve an entire weekend for time. Make sure you have a back-up vehicle should you need to run out for supplies / tools.

Buy or rent a set of spring compressors.

The first side of the front will take forever, but it gets easier from there.

Respond here and post pics if you get stuck.
 

krs

Autocross Champion
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Car(s)
MKVIIS R

JJ_MK7

Go Kart Champion
Location
San Antonio
Car(s)
2020 GTI Autobahn
in addition, Assuming you know how to get the car up on 4 jack stands safely. If not, practice doing that a few times. Putting the car on them, taking it off. Once you learn this, put the car on jack stands, remove wheels. Take pictures of the stock parts from different angles, as they are properly installed. Reserve an entire weekend for time. Make sure you have a back-up vehicle should you need to run out for supplies / tools. Buy or rent a set of spring compressors. The first side of the front will take forever, but it gets easier from there. Respond here and post pics if you get stuck.
in addition,

Assuming you know how to get the car up on 4 jack stands safely. If not, practice doing that a few times. Putting the car on them, taking it off.

Once you learn this, put the car on jack stands, remove wheels. Take pictures of the stock parts from different angles, as they are properly installed.

Reserve an entire weekend for time. Make sure you have a back-up vehicle should you need to run out for supplies / tools.

Buy or rent a set of spring compressors.

The first side of the front will take forever, but it gets easier from there.

Respond here and post pics if you get stuck.
Thanks for the advice, I do have a Quick Jack setup so lifting the car should be a done deal.
 

JJ_MK7

Go Kart Champion
Location
San Antonio
Car(s)
2020 GTI Autobahn
I’d recommend replacing the bearings, something more along the lines of this kit, or you chance the front end being a little noisy.

https://www.shopdap.com/make-model-...nstall-kit-for-mk7-non-dcc-5g0498331dgrp.html

Out of all the other tools to own, this one is pretty key to own. I misplaced mine, and had to buy a allen socket and grind my own. Well worth having this on hand.

https://www.shopdap.com/make-model-...ension/tools/vw-audi-strut-spreader-tool.html
Thanks for the advice, I do have that tool which I bought from ShopDAP. I was also aiming at getting that bundle of OEM hardware specifically put together for replacing coilovers by ShopDAP.
 
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smashedpotatoes

Go Kart Newbie
Location
Sacramento, CA
Car(s)
Golf 7 R
Hello!

I put on B16s without having prior experience with suspension. The 2x4 method was an absolute godsend for removing the stock front struts - you can refer to Bryce Jordan's video on YouTube to see how it's done. I chose to drill a whole and run a bolt through to make sure the 2x4 did not move off.
(Edit: Alright alright, I got the hint. OP, the proper method and what the pros below me advise you to do is to pull your axles.)

One good piece of advice I can think of off the top of my head is when reinstalling hardware for your rear control arms, they should go in easily by hand and never feel forced. I did one bolt at a time and repeatedly raised/lowered a jack underneath the arm to align the bolts. It is unlikely that all the bolts will fit through in one go, at least it didn't for me. What I did was adjust the jack until the bolt slid through and repeated for all others.

I also recommend adding marks to the spring collars with a metallic Sharpie or paint marker at 180 degrees apart. I used two different colors. When you are adjusting ride height, it is easier to count rotations of the collars using the marks as a tracker than to count threads.
 
Last edited:

GTI Jake

Autocross Champion
Location
Charlotte, NC
Pull the axles, don't listen to anyone suggesting a 2x4 as a tool. Plenty of info out there, take your time you'll be fine.

To take this a step further, pull the axles at the hub & replace the hardware.

Full DIY video


Write up (for springs, but same process)

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...pring-install-diy-tips-tools-and-pics.337350/

OEM torque spec references

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f99kqqmv66pryib/AAA5LM_C4H6x4l56StzU9YO9a?dl=0&lst=

As a professional technician (aircraft mechanic with a decade at a major airline) I cannot tell you how many people have screwed up these installations due to horrible advice. I’m not going to point fingers, but please do not use an impact for installation of anything, especially the strut mounts. Take the time to properly torque new hardware to spec and it’ll be done in a afternoon…if you slam it together carelessly it’ll have clunks, creaks, rattles or worse. For those reading this who’ve already made those mistakes here’s a link for that too.

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...issues-noises-advice-click-here-first.354148/
 

JJ_MK7

Go Kart Champion
Location
San Antonio
Car(s)
2020 GTI Autobahn
Can you guys recommend a good video that can show a little more in detail how to remove the axle at the hub side? I think that's probably the more intimidating part of the whole project at least for me.
 

odessa.filez

Autocross Newbie
Location
Roswell, GA
Car(s)
2016 GSW 1.8tsi auto
Can you guys recommend a good video that can show a little more in detail how to remove the axle at the hub side? I think that's probably the more intimidating part of the whole project at least for me.
video in this link shows removing.spindle/wheel bearing from axle. Video does not show removing strut from spindle, as the video focuses on spring change only.

first time I did it, I used a deep socket and a hammer to tap the axle.free from the bearing splines. On reinstall, I added antiseize to the splines and it reinstall and changes down the road go faster and easier.

Post in thread 'What’s the “2x4 method” and do I need it?' https://golfmk7.com/forums/index.ph...-method”-and-do-i-need-it.373263/post-7425657
 

GTIfan99

Autocross Champion
Location
FL
I've done the 2 x 4 method 3 times on my 19. No issues. Come at me.
 
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