Should I Do A Full Suspension Overhaul With My Eventual Coilover Upgrade?

[geokilla]

I swapped over to my summer tires today after work and checked the gap between the fenders and the tires. There's actually a 2 finger gap on the driver side, and about a 2.5 finger gap on the passenger side. The passenger side is higher than the driver side? Is this normal?

 

[Pineapple]

I swapped over to my summer tires today after work and checked the gap between the fenders and the tires. There's actually a 2 finger gap on the driver side, and about a 2.5 finger gap on the passenger side. The passenger side is higher than the driver side? Is this normal?

Last time that happened to me, it was because somehow the wrong tire was ordered and there was a 255 amongst my 235s

 

[MonkeyMD]

I swapped over to my summer tires today after work and checked the gap between the fenders and the tires. There's actually a 2 finger gap on the driver side, and about a 2.5 finger gap on the passenger side. The passenger side is higher than the driver side? Is this normal?

Winter weight. It'll go up as you do more cardio

 

[scrllock]

I swapped over to my summer tires today after work and checked the gap between the fenders and the tires. There's actually a 2 finger gap on the driver side, and about a 2.5 finger gap on the passenger side. The passenger side is higher than the driver side? Is this normal?

You have coilovers right?

 

[geokilla]

You have coilovers right?

Yup I have B14s. Picking up my parts in Buffalo later this month and will get Almost Racing (VAG specialists and they do tons of tuning and racing) to install everything, reinstall everything, and whatever else they need.

Winter weight. It'll go up as you do more cardio

Can't be. No one was in the car lol. Goat said to me in PM that the driver side should be a tad higher than passenger side so I guess I'll ask them to fix it.

 

[geokilla]

Got my car back today from Almost Racing and I noticed the suspension noises were all gone during the drive home. They made some installation adjustments to the coilovers as well since there were some discrepancies with the prior installation, the strut mounts, and the springs. Maybe it's the position of the springs as pointed out by Zero815? They also adjusted the height of the coilovers by counting the threads. I put my fingers in between the tire and the fender and there's about 2 to 2.5 fingers all around. He also said mentioned the old lower control arms were no good, probably because they're Whiteline products?

Either way, I'll update you guys after I drive the car some more. When they test drove it, they said the car drives fantastic now and so far, I agree. I'm just worried the car might be a bit too low and I'm going to scrape on some pavement drops caused by buses. I'll most likely be attending this Sunday's track day so the car will be put to the ultimate test.

Thank you everyone for all your help!

 

[geokilla]

I just asked Almost Racing and they said with my new suspension parts, -1.3 camber is the best they can do? Was hoping to get closer to -2 but he said the only way that's possible is if I use aftermarket parts? The front is relatively non-adjustable? I'm -1.3 all around except for driver rear which they set to -2 camber.

 

[GoatAutomotive]

I just asked Almost Racing and they said with my new suspension parts, -1.3 camber is the best they can do? Was hoping to get closer to -2 but he said the only way that's possible is if I use aftermarket parts? The front is relatively non-adjustable? I'm -1.3 all around except for driver rear which they set to -2 camber.

Based on that ride height, you’re bang on.

Next step would be 034 LCAs which feature slots for the lower ball joints to add camber from below.

You can run Euro Sport street camber mounts for an additional -0.8*.

Do NOT run any more aggressive camber mounts than that with Bilsteins, as the side loading of the strut (from aggressive camber mounts) tends to result in premature failure of the strut rod and voids the warranty.

Seen it.

Sounds like the 034 front arms should fix your issues if you need or want more front camber.

It’s most beneficial for track days if that’s in your future.

On the street you should be fine unless you hit canyons weekly and really push it hard.

Hopefully this makes sense in writing.

 

[geokilla]

Based on that ride height, you’re bang on.

Next step would be 034 LCAs which feature slots for the lower ball joints to add camber from below.

You can run Euro Sport street camber mounts for an additional -0.8*.

Do NOT run any more aggressive camber mounts than that with Bilsteins, as the side loading of the strut (from aggressive camber mounts) tends to result in premature failure of the strut rod and voids the warranty.

Seen it.

Sounds like the 034 front arms should fix your issues if you need or want more front camber.

It’s most beneficial for track days if that’s in your future.

On the street you should be fine unless you hit canyons weekly and really push it hard.

Hopefully this makes sense in writing.

I'll stick with what I have for now. That'll be a next year or 2027 problem if I still have the car. I'm not in the mood to purchase parts and labour for the rest of this summer, especially since I'll only get 3 track days at most for the rest of the season. Was planning to go on Sunday but they're over capacity RIP.

Hopefully this thread helps everyone else on the Internet as well. You guys are amazing. I see so many suspension questions get asked on Reddit. They should just come here lol.

 

[geokilla]

1 month later, the noises are back. Haven't even been to the track yet. Just daily driving the vehicle. Going to call Almost Racing tomorrow and see what they think.

Edit: They think it's the B14s that are making the noise. Not very good coils, but they said it's safe so I'm good to track. It's crazy how much noise I get going over speed bumps, steering, and getting in and out of the car..