How to: Need to lower (not only) AP coils? Partially solved here!

[Jakub]

Hi guys,
At first I would like to apologize for my English, but I'll try hard to clearly explain what to do.

Before

After

• Problem

As many of us know, AP coilovers doesn't allow to go as low as many of us wanted to, especially front ones. So I have tried to find at least a partial solution (it means that it might not be low enough for all, but it helps a little). One day I got the idea, consulted it with suspension expert from Skoda, and he told me, that this solution would help and be safe. Here it is.

The whole thing is that you just cut off small part of strut.
Note: Don't worry about sway bar links, in my case there were no problem after the mod.

Tools needed:​

• all tools needed to remove front struts (link in step 1.)
• Calliper
• Hacksaw
• Rasper
• Sandpapers (400 - 1000)
• Spray paint

How to:​

• 1. First you need to remove your front struts. (nice how-to is here: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4330188-Koni-Coilover-Install-DIY note: for many adjustable coilovers you don't have to remove driveshaft, because the struts are much shorter) On the second picture, you can see how much of excessive material is on the strut.

• 2. Now measure and mark where you want to cut the strut. In my case I shortened it by 8 mm. The engineer from Skoda said, that in this case (AP coils) 12 mm off should be still safe. Just NOT to cut into the weld!!! You also have to shorten the "thing" on the second picture. In my 5 mm off did well.

3. Now cut it off. I did it with a hacksaw. Do NOT use electric angle grinder, because it generates a lot of heat during cutting, which could damage the strut and oil in it.​

• 4. When the part is cut off, grind down the edges. Use rasper and sandpapers (400 - 1000). Do NOT use electric grinder, because of generated heat.

• 5. Paint all grinded to prevent oxidation and rusting.

• 6. Fit coils back onto the car and enjoy the look!

The whole thing took me about 3 hours of work.
Good luck, hope it helped!

 

[Keram]

Oh nice! And for rear we can just put out perches.

 

[Mindak]

Mmmm wonder if I should try this!

 

[Keram]

Pictures are dead

 

[Mindak]

Was tempted to carry this out but think I'm going to go down the custom Spring route

 

[Keram]

I will make this on mine for the next season -10mm will be more than enough for me.

 

[Mindak]

Anybody else successfully cut their struts down?

 

[Keram]

Ok, so I've made this a week ago. 15mm easily on my Vogtlands, a cut and a bit of grind off the strut position thingy. Waiting for the summer to put my bigger repainted rims and see results

 

[Mindak]

Ok, so I've made this a week ago. 15mm easily on my Vogtlands, a cut and a bit of grind off the strut position thingy. Waiting for the summer to put my bigger repainted rims and see results

Nice, you not refitted them yet then to see if it worked?

 

[Keram]

I have them on, but on winter wheel set now (no photos to compare).
Definitely lower, began to scrape my engine under cover It hangs down too much, so need to sort that thing somehow, and of course roll front arches a bit
Will measure fender to ground distance when possible.

 

[Mindak]

Might have to give this a go then, save me some money buying a different set too as a like the way my Ap's handle