MK1 Helper Springs

Technical questions and answers concerning all models of VW diesel vehicles.

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backwoods
Cetane Booster
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MK1 Helper Springs

Post by backwoods »

Hey guys, there's an interesting thingie about cheap helper springs for MK1 Rabbit in the Free Advice link at

http://crustycrank.com/index.htm#menu

I'm thinking about doing this one myself, the rear on my Rabbit sags more than I'd like if I put heavy stuff in the trunk, and the shocks are near gone anyway. I do not want to lower the car any.

Are there any wierd "gotchas" to be aware of when replacing the rear shocks?
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82vdub
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Post by 82vdub »

On a Rabbit, changing the rear shocks takes more time to find the jack and jack the car up than it does to change both shocks. It's really, really simple with no surprises.
Everybody else lists their cars here - but not me.

I have too many to count
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82rabbitdiesel
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Post by 82rabbitdiesel »

that is a great item. wish i would of seen that 3 months ago. i changed all my inserts and had no hidden surprises. here's the link to JCW, think i might have to take my rears out again.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Item ... 0000229572
Carlos Galvos wrote: The steering wheel(81VWRabbit L) is pleasant to grip, and the instrumentation is cleanly and logically laid out in a manner one would expect from a fine European car.(posted on EBAY)
82 Rabbit Diesel, 2" lift, "45 mpg average"
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backwoods
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Post by backwoods »

Thanks for the info, sounds like I ought to just get the parts and get right to it. I'm guessing I ought to get new rubber stops for sure. Did you guys find it necessary to replace the rubber parts in the upper mounting? They're not so cheap.
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82rabbitdiesel
Diesel Freak
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Post by 82rabbitdiesel »

backwoods wrote:Thanks for the info, sounds like I ought to just get the parts and get right to it. I'm guessing I ought to get new rubber stops for sure. Did you guys find it necessary to replace the rubber parts in the upper mounting? They're not so cheap.
i replaced all of the rubber, front/back w/ poly, got it all from ebay as a kit, much cheaper than buying a piece at a time
Carlos Galvos wrote: The steering wheel(81VWRabbit L) is pleasant to grip, and the instrumentation is cleanly and logically laid out in a manner one would expect from a fine European car.(posted on EBAY)
82 Rabbit Diesel, 2" lift, "45 mpg average"
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backwoods
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Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:46 pm

It works great :-)

Post by backwoods »

OK, I did the helper spring modification the way the crustycrank.com site said, except I did not do the nonwoven bag thing. The helper springs are a snug fit inside the Rabbit springs. I could not get them in until I thoroughly cleaned the Rabbit springs, and a light coat of oil is a huge help.

The car rides GREAT, not at all harsh as I was expecting. Heck, I thought it was too soft riding before. And now when I put a bunch of heavy stuff in the back it goes down only an inch or two instead of dragging butt LOL.

No odd noises either. Other than the strange orange color visible in the wheelwell, you'd never know. It was really easy and a big improvement.
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