Suspension (& brakes)

[bayareaberk at yahoo.com (T Berk)]

--- Craig Steiner <steiner_ca@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Being forced from Lurk mode by complaining car...
> 
> What's the consensus on H&R coilovers?  Any other
> recommendations for 
> upgrading the suspension?
<snip>
> Other
> problems starting to 
> appear include increased oil consumption/loss (about
> a quart every two 
> months), braking issues and hard to find speed
> related noises (could be 
> related to the brakes).
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Craig Steiner
> '88 Alpine White 16V
> 


Well,

I went with some H&R Cup Kit suspension but it's never
been installed yet. (It's been a few years actually.) 

They come w/ both shocks and struts as a batch, said
to have been calibrated for the particular model you
specify. Also said to have retained some ride comfort
yet still lower a bit and add performance over a
'stock' setup.

(Don't forget to plan on replacing your bushings
and/or ball joints at the same time.) 

As for the oil consumption I would investigate this
with an oil change and wet/dry compression test. Is it
actually burning oil or is it leaking out somewhere? 

You can find dyes to add to different fluids nowadays;
they 'glow' under an ultraviolet light so this might
help find a leak that only shows up under load, etc.

Brakes are CHEAP and important, good brakes are not
much more than inexpensive crappy brakes. Don't skimp
on brakes. Go with OEM or better (think ATE, etc)
Getting new pads up front and a full brake fluid
replacement (flush, oh and DOT 4 is good stuff) is a
wonder full New Years thing to do for your car. Old
brake fluid sitting around absorbs moisture out of the
air and leads to corrosion, air bubbles in the line,
and sometimes that 'spongy' feeling at the pedal. 

You might ring up Potter <http://www.parts4vws.com>
and have them send you some ATE Atomic Groove rotors
and some new pads to fit your driving needs. 


hth,
TBerk




		
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