STRLLI Ci EUSPEED RY BARS

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2 ,J BY MIKE COLLINS M ost VW enthusiasts interested in better handling already know the formula for improvement: Wider wheels and tires, firmer shocks/struts, sway and stress bars, less-compliant bushings, and higher-rate springs. While all these modifications will work wonders when used as a total suspension upgrade package, this is often a pricey proposition. It is possible, however, to obtain a noticeable handling improvement, at a reduced total price, by carefully choosing which modifications you really need. STRLLI Ci EUSPEED RY BARS Handling Help For Your Golf, GTI or Jetta FRONT Raise front of vehicle and support with jack stands under lifting points. The subframe Is held to the body by four bolts. Remove the two rear bolts, but only loosen the two front bolts two turns. Swing down rear part of subframe and remove the factory sway bar If equipped. Wedge a large screwdriver between the subframe and chassis to ()old It down slightly. JULY/ AUGUST 1986/35

3 Coat the Inside of the polyurethane bushings with Permatex Anti-Seize lubricant and Install on the small straight sections at each end of the sway bar. Position the bar (below the A-arms) and attach the retaining clamps and 'bolts. Reinstall the rear subframe bolts and tighten the front bolts. Torque bolts to 96 ft/lbs each. Then lower car to ground and roll to straighten suspension. Wider wheels and tires, for example, are great, but perhaps you can make do almost as well with the car's stock wheels merely re-shod with a set of sticky Yokohama A-008s or BFG Comp T/As. Shocks and struts are items that almost every stock vehicle needs to have upgraded for optimum handling, but do you really need the most expensive brand on the market? Sport springs are also great, but repre sent a major step in changing the ride (and handling) attitude of your car. They also require professional installa tion, and will most likely lower the ride height of your car. Is this really what you want? Carefully selected, suspension com ponents can change an average hand ling car into a real corner-turner-and do so without bankrupting your "car improvement" fund in the process. REAR SWAY BAR Assemble the A-arm linkage Into sway bar ends and Into A-arm, tightening the lock nut just enough to snug up the parts. Install ball joints so the hole perfectly aligns with the mounting bracket hole. Put one spacer washer in each side of the ball joint, and Install the enclosed 'hxl'h inch bolt through the assembly, then run on the lock nut and tighten. Make final adjustment of ball joint so It Is riding In Its mounting bracket, centered straight up and down. Tighten the ball joint locking nuts on each side. Raise rear of car and support with jack stands. Note that the Neuspeed rear bar Is Installed with end arms down (decal right reading) as viewed from the side. Install polyurethane bushings on bar after tubing them with Permatex Anti-Seize (install one on each side of straight section just before the first bend). Using new brackets, hold bar In position centered between shock mounts. Hook brackets to bottom of axle beam and swing brackets around axle beam. The final product, a very clean Installation. Double check your Installation, and tightness of all nuts and bolts. Then check clearances and road test. Use special clamp at end and Install nut and bolt. Using a big screwdriver, pry back so that clamp locks onto axle beam. Short end of clamp must sit against edge of axle beam. Tighten retaining bolt. 36/VW & PORSCHE

4 Assemble the two end link ball joints as shown, making sure they are straight and of equal lengths. Use the shortest adjustment when choosing the center hole, which! Is the best place to start (the front hole creates a stiffer force, the rear creates a softer force). Lubricate unused threads to prevent corrosion. Neuspeed kit is very complete, and will not require any additional parts drilling. The Neuspeed division of Automotive Performance Systems has developed a system of sway bars and stress bars that will noticeably improve the handling of new-generation VW Golfs, GTls and Jettas, whether they be stonestock or modified with wheels, tires, shocks and springs. Neuspeed uses their 22mm front, and 25mm rear, sway bars in conjunction with' an upper strut tie bar on the new-generation VWs. Stock, from the factory, new GTls come equipped with a 15mm front/20mm rear setup, while Jettas feature an 18mm front/no rear bar combination, and the Golfs make do with no bars at all. Sway bars (also known as anti-roll bars) are fairly straightforward to install, so follow along as we show you how to get more handling performance out of your favorite VW. ~ UPPER STRUT TIE-BRR T I T I... ~ I TO RE MOVE TOOL. TORQUE WRENCH OPPOSITE DI RECT ION UNTIL TOOL DISENGAGES The finished result. As always, double-check your work and then carefully road test. (Top right) The Neuspeed strut tie-bar can be Installed relatively easily. A 7/16-inch wrench Is used to tighten the bolts, a 9/16-inch wrench Is used to Install the Nutsert, and a 3/8-lnch drill Is required. With the car on the ground, position the strut tie-bar over the shock towers and center from side-to-side, making sure the tie-bar mounting pads are positioned outside and next to the lip on top of strut tower. Carefully mark position of holes, then center punch and drill a 3/8-lnch hole In each opening. (Above right) Special Nutserts are supplied for Installing threads In the sheet metal; each one withstands over 800 pounds of pull. Using the tool provided, Install a Nutsert in each hole, pushing down firmly as you tighten setting bolt. Install tie-bar using Grade 8 bolts and lock washers supplied. Finished view shows bar's minor encroachment Into engine compartment. All Neuspeed suspension components are power coated gloss black for sharp appearance. JULY/AU(iUST 1986/37

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