Are upgraded shocks needed when changing springs?

speedsix · Post by **speedsix** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:10 pm

Basically I've got a 1.2 Polo 2005 model on standard suspension and im looking to maybe get the Eibach 30mm springs for it. As far as im aware, people on the forum generally have been saying that you SHOULD go for upgraded shocks at the same time, as the standard shocks will wear out faster and the ride will be unconfortable

BUT, I was at a garage in Aberdeen (checkpoint) today where the guy (who seemed to know his stuff about suspension) was adament that if getting the 30mm springs , changing the standard shocks would NOT be necessary as the cars only 2 years old.

Im confused now. Do I not need upgarded shocks (cos they are only 2 years old)?

DanDiesel · Post by **DanDiesel** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:17 pm

i changed my springs in my old polo when it was around 3 years old and i never changed the shocks! as far as i can remember the ride comfort never deteriorated over time!
aren't shocks checked at MOT time anyway? if they needed changing then the MOT tester should let you know!
if i was just fitting springs again on a newish car, then i wouldn't worry about changing the shocks unless u wanted uprated ones for much better handling!

david burton · Post by **david burton** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:14 pm

saying you NEED to change the shocks as well is s**t. pardon my french. it's NOT mandatory.

it is advised to ideally change them so they match the springs, but people who say you need to are probably people who have done it because they had the money, and are basically reminding you you're being cheap by telling you to change the shocks as well.

don't get me wrong - changing the suspension means you should have everything matching, but 30mm isn't really moving the shocks out of their designed range of motion - a heavily laden car with people in it will be 30mm lower than one with just you in it. the VW shocks are designed for this..

put it this way - I've had 3 mk4 polos, old and newer, and changed only the springs on each of them.

I have never had a shock wear out in over 80k of driving. the ride is harsher, but the shocks do their job just fine.

speech over!

M7 · Post by M7 » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:35 pm

iv always been under the impression you can lower a car up to 5cm without having to upgrade the shock absorbers
once you go lower than that you need to upgrade them as they become too compressed under normal weight and won't last aslong

AKs_SlickPolo · Post by **AKs_SlickPolo** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:41 pm

It does put extra strain on the shocks though as the piston on the shock is sitting in all the time as opposed to every now and again with the car full of people!

You may be okay with 30mm springs, but from my experience when I had 50mm Spax springs on standard shocks on the 9N - i'd NOT do that again.

On shocks that had only seen 15-18,000 miles on standard height - the Ride became crashy, and very bouncy so decided to get a proper kit and invest in some coilovers ASAP

flyfs6 · Post by **flyfs6** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:31 am

Aks spot on. So long as its a moderate drop it be just fine. Lowering by a lot on standard shocks will ruin the ride