Differences in Shocks

bigdong101 · Post by **bigdong101** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 3:35 pm

Hello,

I have been informed that most Polos have oil filled dampers making them worse than ever when lowering for numerous reasons! Are the 16 shocks interchangable and are they gas filled??
I would ideally stretch my poorness and buy a shock and springs set but if I can use 16v shocks and -50mm lowering springs then it would be a pile more affordable!
Any advice would be mush appreciated, cheers Jamie - 1.4 8v!

mk4ads · Post by **mk4ads** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:37 pm

Hey.

I had 35mm lowering springs on standard 8v shocks when i bought the car, wasnt a problem. Unless the car is high mileage (say 70k for instance) then u shouldnt have a problem with just springs, anything over that it would probably be adviseable to replace the shocks

Hope that helps

bigdong101 · Post by **bigdong101** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 7:33 pm

Hullo, thanks for the words mon, yup it's probably worth me getting shocks then because me car has now clocked up 86k!

I was toying with the idea of swapping out my 8v shocks for 16v ones with the relevant lowering springs but unless I know for sure either way if they'll fit and if all of the spring top seat and rubbers are all the same it's looking like less and less of a good idea.

Since new shocks are looking like a must I guess I owe it to myself to drop the car -60mm at least so I'll get hunting around in the next few weeks for the best source of shortened shocks.

Cheers all, any other pointers as to the bargains would be appreciated! J

4paws · Post by **4paws** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:08 pm

it your gonna buy springs and 16v shocks would you not be as well gettin a full aftermarket kit?
how much money would you b savin by gettin the 16v shocks?

david burton · Post by **david burton** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 9:23 pm

16v shocks are a fair bit better - I have driven both types and with the same lowering the 16v ones seem to handle the height difference very well.

If you can source some cheap 16v shocks, I'd do it - I believe the springs and mounts are the same. I can't check until this weekend though (bird's got an 8v setup).

p.s. ring colin at www.airspeedshop.co.uk and say euro dave sent you - he'll do you a good price on some gmax springs and might even be able to tell you if they are the same springs as the 16v ones - if they are then the mounts must be identical.