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Installing Springs - Alignment Specs

aloha_from_bradley

Autocross Champion
Location
AZ
2019 R
Front crash & lane assist camera system

Pulling the trigger on Neuspeed wheels & springs this week. I have a couple questions for others that have done this.

Question 1:

How does the alignment work out after the spring install? What did the specs look like?

Question 2:

For others that have a MK7.5, was a recalibration of the camera system necessary during the alignment?

I see lots of MK7.5s out there that have springs installed, but there is surprisingly little information about how the alignment worked out afterwards. I know a tech that works for Mercedes who's telling me I don't need the camera system recalibration, just to get the alignment done at a specialist.

The Neuspeed springs are a 1" drop. Obviously I'd like to get the alignment specs as close to factory as possible, but the dealership wants $600 for an alignment that includes the camera recalibration.

Any insight from someone who's done this would be greatly appreciated.
 

GolfRRRR1

Go Kart Champion
Location
Michigan
I have not installed springs yet, that being said I WOULD NOT get the overpriced camera recalibration unless you have issues. 100's of people on these forums have done spring installs and never needed to 'recalibrate' the camera.
I have done an alignment at a local shop and they did very good work. With springs you're just gonna get a little more camber (like -.75 or so) it won't make a difference to the car or tire wear at all. Good luck, btw a 4 wheel alignment should be about $89-$119 total.
 

aloha_from_bradley

Autocross Champion
Location
AZ
I have not installed springs yet, that being said I WOULD NOT get the overpriced camera recalibration unless you have issues. 100's of people on these forums have done spring installs and never needed to 'recalibrate' the camera.
I have done an alignment at a local shop and they did very good work. With springs you're just gonna get a little more camber (like -.75 or so) it won't make a difference to the car or tire wear at all. Good luck, btw a 4 wheel alignment should be about $89-$119 total.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I understand what you are saying and I'm totally on board. I also understand what acceptable tolerances for alignment specs / what expected & reasonable prices are as well. My main issue is the camera system and whether or not it will need to be calibrated. Also, was wanting to know how far out of spec the car will be pre alignment, but after the spring install. This will give me a good idea of what to expect when the alignment is completed, spec wise.

From what I can tell, the camber will be slightly out of spec - like .2 degrees or something in the front. I'm not worried about that as I doubt it will have an impact on tire wear. Obviously toe will be adjusted.

I just don't want my car slamming on the brakes thinking there is an object in front of me or something to that effect - or potentially having issues with the ACC system not working. There is a chance that "finding out if I have a problem" means smashing into another car, or getting rear ended because the system abruptly causes the car to stop.
 

jimlloyd40

Autocross Champion
Location
Phoenix
Car(s)
2018 SE DSG
If you have to realign the rear wheels it can cause the collision camera to need to be calibrated.
 

new R Fan 2018

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Oviedo, FL
Car(s)
MK7.5 R
I didn't have any sensors recal'd after installing springs/alignment. Haven't noticed any diff either.
 

aloha_from_bradley

Autocross Champion
Location
AZ
Thanks, guys.

I called the dealership back and just asked my advisor about the alignment. He's just going to charge me the "performance" alignment fee rather than the full calibration. Should work out just fine, fingers crossed.
 

taaz20

New member
Location
USA
Car(s)
Golf 2 MK7.5
Just did a few mods to my 2019 Golf R. I am looking for stiffer springs that have the same ride height as the original Golf R springs. I don't want to go lower just something that will be stiffer
 

IanCH

Autocross Champion
Location
MA
Car(s)
'20 GTI
Just did a few mods to my 2019 Golf R. I am looking for stiffer springs that have the same ride height as the original Golf R springs. I don't want to go lower just something that will be stiffer
The only product on the market that would do what you are looking for is the MSS Kit. I also want very minimal ride height drop with a slightly stiffer spring but its not a common offering.
 

aloha_from_bradley

Autocross Champion
Location
AZ
you will get a shit load of toe out on the front and toe in on the rear after lowering

I didn't. On Neuspeeds 1" drop total front and rear. Front was barely out. Rear toe needed the most adjusting, but still wasn't bad. I can dig up the before / after print outs if you'd like to see them. Pretty sure I still have them somewhere.
 

El_bigote_AJ

Autocross Champion
Location
Las Vegas
Car(s)
2019 GTI bunny
I didn't. On Neuspeeds 1" drop total front and rear. Front was barely out. Rear toe needed the most adjusting, but still wasn't bad. I can dig up the before / after print outs if you'd like to see them. Pretty sure I still have them somewhere.
What’s barely to you?
 

odessa.filez

Autocross Newbie
Location
Roswell, GA
Car(s)
2016 GSW 1.8tsi auto
Just did a few mods to my 2019 Golf R. I am looking for stiffer springs that have the same ride height as the original Golf R springs. I don't want to go lower just something that will be stiffer

There are many ways to skin that cat. Research "spring rubbers"

https://www.hypercoils.com/spring-rubbers/

beauty of this concept is you can stiffen your current springs without changing ride height

these guys make them in custom size and durometer

https://www.acrotechinc.com/race-ca..._w5tCS5m6ytgQJ8y5jPRqfvUjrInHP60aAl0-EALw_wcB

beauty is you don't have to unbolt ANYTHING to add them or remove them. I use them for autocross events, then remove them afterwards so my daily ride doesn't suck

shown in the pic are from Speedway (left), Acrotech (middle) and Howe Racing (righr). The speedway and Acrotech shown here fit GTI strut springs, the Howe fit the rear springs.
PXL_20201113_190351376.jpg
 

aloha_from_bradley

Autocross Champion
Location
AZ
What’s barely to you?

I can't find the spec sheet. I do remember it was nearly negligible. Front total toe slightly increased, I'm talking tenths of a degree. Everything was still in the green other than minor negative camber which was to be expected. But still in the green. Had it adjusted anyway.

The rear was out a bit more, but crept into the red. Just enough to need adjusting.
 

Golfs everyday

Autocross Newbie
Location
USA
When I did the MK7 GTI's VWR springs mine did not go out of spec either. It was right at the tolerance limits. But I too had it adjusted anyway. It felt a bit more 'together' after the alignment, but not a night/day difference like I've encountered on other cars.
 
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