Mechanic Q: Driving with Spring Blocks

[Damage]

Hi Folks,

So I'm a proud owner of a new mk7 GTI. I just had the spring blocks removed after putting 2,300 km on it (mostly highway so high speed). I had found the ride really rough but was unsure if this was normal as I'm new to tightly tuned suspensions...rookie mistake. Anyways, the dealer goofed up here. I read this has been happening and sure enough that is what it was. Ride is awesome now.

Question: Could I have damaged any parts of the vehicle driving this long with the spring blocks on?

The vehicle has taken some (many) uncomfortable knocks over this stretch which were simply unavoidable (with the spring blocks on) on some of the roads around here. I want to approach the dealer informed if this is the case. It's pretty bush league for the dealer to have allowed this to happen. Especially because I asked about the rough ride like two weeks ago and they shrugged it off.

Thanks, folks.

 

[vwman]

VW are aware that the Top Shock mounting can be damaged if the transport blocks are not removed during PDI.
Technical bulletins are issued to dealers to check these have been removed where a customer complains of noisy suspension.

Still common unfortunately that some dealer staff fail to remove them despite the PDI schedule, warning hanging tags to remind them to remove.

 

[luka1]

Is there an easy way for is to inspect whether they have been removed? Pics?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[burso]

read this thread to find out more

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2189&highlight=suspension+pucks

 

[vwman]

Checking is not an easy DIY activity.

I would recommend you ask your dealer to check if you are in doubt as to whether they have been removed purely on a safety basis.

The car is raised on a hoist to relieve the weight on the coil springs to be able to slide the suspension strut protective sleeve upwards to start the process of inspection / removal of all the transport blocks.

 

[luka1]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

 

[Damage]

Thanks for the info, folks. So is potential damage limited to the top shock extensions or could it extend further? I want to ensure the dealer handles this right. I drove the damn thing a fair amount with these things on.

 

[sitivene]

I had all three shipping blocks in place on my new GTI. You can get to them by jacking up the car to unload the suspension and checking under the shock bellows. In my case the blocks were light blue and easily removed. The only damage I saw was to the rubber bellows themselves.