MK4 Golf GT TDi, do you HAVE to take rear wheels off to replace coilsprings?

DJMK4 · 11 Sep 2009 at 19:58

Im changing my rear coilsprings on the weekend however I have just noticed that one or two nuts on the passenger side rear wheel have slightly rounded and which ever garage did them up last did them far too much, I cannot get them off.

Can the coilsprings be replaced with the rear wheels on or do they have to come off?

DJMK4 · 11 Sep 2009 at 20:07

spaz said:
Regardless I'd have thought it'd be better in the long run to get the nuts off anyway.

True, but the work NEEDS to be done tomorrow morning, first thing, I maybe able to take it to a garage, get them to loosen them, apply some wd40, do them up abit, drive a short distance home. But i dont know if they are open tomorrow.

The nuts will be replaced

DJMK4 · 12 Sep 2009 at 15:11

OK, managed to get the wheels off, in the middle of doing the job now, if i compress the springs (like in the pic) nothings going to fling out and hit me in the face is it?? giving me eggface?

Other option is to undo the bottom shock mounts as previous poster suggested, but again, is it just a simple case of undoing shock mounts at bottom, taking them out and something will lower??

Could anyone reccomend the best/easiest way of getting these springs out so i can put new ones in.ta.

DJMK4 · 12 Sep 2009 at 15:39

I do have 2, going to give it another go, brb

DJMK4 · 12 Sep 2009 at 18:10

All done, i didnt use the compressor tool, too much faffing about, like most of you said, undo both shock bolts, came down with abit of a bang! lol.

New springs in, jacked up, bolts in, wheels on, road tested,curbs, road humps, doing abit of swaying in the road

s'all good.

Thats my manly thing done for the day.

DJMK4 · 12 Sep 2009 at 19:34

They failed on the MOT, two different centres (one reputable one who I know), the old ones wernt damaged as such, but the protective paint coating had come off down the bottom and they had started to rust. So im assuming thats why he failed based on (Coil Springs - Fractured (Broken)

DJMK4 · 12 Sep 2009 at 20:04

God knows then, something must have been up with them for 2 garages to fail them, nevermind, they replaced now, not going to put the old ones back on,lol.