When it comes to putting the perfect stance on your VW Golf Mk7, the ride height is a critical aspect. It not only impacts the vehicle’s performance, but also its aesthetic appeal. Generally, a lower stance is desired for a sporty look and better handling, but it is crucial to adjust it correctly to avoid bottoming out or causing damage to the vehicle. This article will guide you through the process of adjusting the ride height on coilovers for a perfect stance, detailing the necessary steps and precautions to be taken.
Understanding Coilovers
Before you get your hands dirty, it’s essential to understand coilovers and their role in your vehicle’s suspension system. Coilovers are a type of suspension system that allows you to adjust the ride height of your car. They consist of a spring and a shock absorber, which are combined in a single unit. The term ‘coilover’ itself is derived from ‘coil-over shock absorber’.
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Coilovers are preferred by many automobile enthusiasts due to their adjustability. With them, you can change your car’s ride height, damping, and sometimes even the camber angle. This gives you a lot of control over how your car handles and also its overall stance.
Preparation Steps for Adjustment
Before you start adjusting the coilovers, make sure you have the right tools for the job. You’ll need a coilover adjustment wrench (also known as a spanner wrench), a hydraulic jack, and jack stands. Remember, safety should always be your top priority, so be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from any potential harm.
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Once you have your safety gear and tools ready, park your VW Golf Mk7 on a flat and even surface. This is important as it ensures that when you measure the ride height, the measurements are accurate and not affected by the ground’s incline or decline.
The ride height should be measured from the center of the wheel hub to the edge of the wheel arch. This measurement is known as the ‘hub-to-fender’ measurement and is the standard method of measuring ride height in the automotive industry.
Adjusting the Ride Height
With your ‘hub-to-fender’ measurement noted, you can now start adjusting the coilovers. Start by lifting your car using the hydraulic jack and placing the jack stands under it for safety. You need to do this because the suspension needs to be unloaded in order to adjust the coilovers.
Next, locate the coilovers. They are usually at the front and rear corners of your car. Using your coilover adjustment wrench, turn the adjustment collar on the coilover. Turning it clockwise will lower your vehicle, while turning it anti-clockwise will raise it. Now, adjust the coilovers until you reach the desired ride height.
Checking and Finalizing the Adjustment
After adjusting the coilovers, carefully lower your car back to the ground. Wait for a few minutes to let the suspension settle and then take the ‘hub-to-fender’ measurement again. Compare this measurement with your desired ride height. If it’s not as desired, you need to repeat the process until you get it right.
Remember, your VW Golf Mk7 is a symmetrical vehicle. So, it’s important that both sides are equal in height to avoid any handling issues. Therefore, you must always adjust the coilovers on both sides of the vehicle equally.
Important Considerations
While adjusting the coilovers, keep in mind that going too low can cause problems. While a lowered stance can improve handling and give your car a sporty look, it may also lead to scraping the underside of the car on speed bumps or steep driveways. Therefore, it’s important to find a balance between aesthetics and practicality.
Also, understand that drastic changes in ride height will affect the alignment of your vehicle. Therefore, after adjusting the coilovers, you should get an alignment check to make sure your car is still aligned properly.
In conclusion, adjusting the ride height on coilovers for a perfect stance in a VW Golf Mk7 involves careful measurements, precise adjustments, and critical considerations. With the proper tools and a step-by-step approach, you can easily do it yourself and give your car the perfect stance that it deserves.
Potential Issues and Maintenance
It’s important to note that changing the ride height can sometimes lead to other issues. Going too low can cause your VW Golf Mk7’s undercarriage to scrape against speed bumps, ramps, or even slightly higher road surfaces. This can damage essential parts of your car such as the oil pan or exhaust system. Furthermore, drastically lowering your car may also cause your tires to rub against the inner fender, causing premature tire wear.
Moreover, changing your car’s height can also put additional strain on other parts of the suspension system such as the bushings, control arms, and tie rods. These parts may wear out faster due to the altered geometry of the suspension caused by changing the ride height. Regular maintenance is therefore crucial in ensuring your car’s integrity isn’t compromised.
Finally, altering the ride height can also affect your car’s aerodynamics. It might introduce instability at higher speeds and cause increased fuel consumption due to the changed airflow. However, these effects are usually negligible unless the car is drastically lowered.
Therefore, when adjusting the ride height on coilovers, it’s crucial to consider the implications on other aspects of the car. Regular checks and maintenance are necessary to ensure the longevity and safe operation of your VW Golf Mk7.
Conclusion
To sum up, adjusting the ride height on coilovers for a perfect stance in a VW Golf Mk7 is a task that requires careful planning, precise execution, and regular maintenance. While it can greatly enhance your car’s aesthetic appeal and handling, it’s imperative to remember that this modification can also have potential issues.
Regular checks and maintenance are vital to counteract the additional strain placed on your suspension system and to ensure that your car’s performance isn’t adversely affected. So, whether you’re aiming for a sporty look, improved handling, or just a change of style, adjusting the ride height on coilovers can be an immensely satisfying modification to make to your VW Golf Mk7.
Nevertheless, it’s always wise to consult with a professional or experienced mechanic before making any significant modifications to your car’s suspension system. This way, you can ensure that your car stays safe, reliable, and enjoyable to drive for many years to come.
