So I take from this that generally there is a larger gap at the rear than the front! Hmm interesting. Why would it be less? Springs all look good (not broken) - I do tow a little bit perhaps it was worn them down?! Seems a bit silly - I dont tow that heavy (like 4000lbs max).

 

Have the spring ever been replaced with lowered springs. Gas struts leaking gas?? Lower profile tires? Rims same diameter? Something bent in the suspension, etc...

 

How accurately did you measure? Look at tolerances, if the front is at max and the rear at min, you wouldn't be a few mills off.

 

How accurately did you measure? Look at tolerances, if the front is at max and the rear at min, you wouldn't be a few mills off.

How do you expect him (or anyone else) to accurately assess a few thousandths of an inch, either by eye or retail tape measure?

I'd wager a few mm would be more suitable

 

The coil springs in these are known to snap. Mine did. If I hadn't been in the car when it happened (sounded like a huge spring just lost tension. Loud.) I'd never have known. Drove great. Towed my 20' boat great. Crawled under and found the coil broken but an unobservant eye may not have noticed

 

I had 1 rear coil break right at the top (last coil) so you really had to look closely at the top of the strut at the cup area.

 

Same with me

 

This isn't the technical section... No need for that kind of language

 

Coming from the most prolific & pedantic poster, I'll take that as a hat tip. ;P

 

Hey.

Thanks for all the input. Able to measure it today - front is 473mm and the rear 447mm. Based on the diagram the front seems fine ( I think I am the 1BA shock but hard to work out) but the rear is 40mm less than it should be (30mm if I include the tolerance).
I’ll get under the car tomorrow and have a good old look - something doesn’t seem right. Would be good if the strut/springs all came together to bolt in.

cheers

 

Would be good if the strut/springs all came together to bolt in.

Don't understand what you trying to say...?

 

There's a PR sticker in the spare tire well

 

Or not. I have taken just about everything out of mine and no sticker. Also, not in the manual or glovebox.

 

Changed a fair whack of springs before - how’s the job? Have looked for any threads on it for a 7p and can’t find any one - mostly they just say they found a broken spring and then I presume took it to a shop.

 

I have a thread on changing 4 springs and shocks about 3 years ago.
I bought lowered springs but found the suspension could not be dialled in properly so I have gone back to stock springs with Bilstein shocks. $1100 CAD (ish) for 4 springs from VW dealer. I can get you part numbers if required.

 

I actually went into VW and got them to print my spec sheet out. Pretty sure I’ll just buy the 2 springs and do it myself (have a friend mechanic who will do the spring switch as he has a heavy duty spring compressor). In terms of removal - it’s just the 4bolts at the top and the one at the bottom, right? VW said I should replace these bolts - not sure I have done that before - is it necessary?

For the 4 bolts I can see 2 easily - presume 2 are hidden a bit further back - will take a look.

Cheers