Re: rear-steer?

[Brett Van Sprewenburg <brett@netacc.net>]

>As some of you know, I got a new Koni/H&R set up just before Cincinnati.
>Until last Friday, that setup kicked ass!

I have the exact same set up, and I have to agree that it's a really
nice handling setup.


>When I pulled over, I checked my tire pressure. It was fine (35psi on all
>four tires). Later I had a friend ride along, and he said it felt a little
>wierd, too. When I shook the rear tires with my hands, I could feel a little
>bearing play in one wheel, so I replaced the wheel bearings this weekend.
>The play is gone, but that squirmy feeling is still there!

Squirmy is not a normal part of the Koni/H&R ride. :)  Check all the
bolts naturally. Did you replace the upper rear rubber strut bearings?
Are both the rear shocks dialed up the same?  Did you over dial them
and maybe blow the seals?  They aren't leaking right?  The springs
are still in the correct places on their spring cups?

>
>Anyone know what could be causing this? As I said, my Koni/H&R setup is only
>about 2 weeks old. Could it be the springs and/or shocks just breaking in,
>and this is normal?

No, it's not normal behavior.

>If the rears broke-in more/quicker than the front,
>causing an unbalanced setup, I guess I could see this type of behavior
>happening.

Are the fronts dialed equally?

>  If so, perhaps I could just tighten the rear shocks a notch.
>Could the rear suspension pivot bushings cause this feeling?

Maybe.  I just replaced the upper rear strut bearings as well as
the rear axle beam pivot bushings.  Car really does feel a bit
tighter, it's hard to explain really.  It didn't feel bad before,
but it's just better now..know what I mean?


>
>How difficult/expensive is a rear bushing swap? Worth a try, if it's not too
>difficult? If so, are aftermarket (i.e. poly or whatever) bushings a big
>deal, or should I just get new OEM ones?

It's not really expensive, although you'll probably have to replace some
of the attachment hardware along with the bushings.  I got stock rubber
ones from the dealer for about $60/pair.  They don't need to be pressed
into anything, as the stock rubber bushings come with new carriers
The hardware was at least another $20 (2 _long_ bolts, 2 lock-capnuts,
4 huge washers).  However, it was kinda a pain in the ass, as I was
also putting in the SS brake lines at the same time.  You'll probably
end up breaking the hard brake lines removing the axle.  It just sucks.
You'll then have to bend up new lines...I'm just starting to repress the
whole nasty experience. I did it at the same time as the engine swap...

I would bet that just about every Scirocco out there needs these
bushings, as they certainly don't last forever...let alone 10+ years
of hard driving.

>
>Thanks in advance!
>Neal

==Brett

 \/  '84 Scirocco (ITB racer 2B) | "Hot VW's, take two home. They're small"
\/\/ '88 Scirocco 16v (Show), '85 Scirocco (Winter) | - brett@netacc.net



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