9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

James Christians_Nam
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9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum and I'm from Namibia. I cant find any help here in Namibia and I've searched the internet for many, many days looking for info but have found nothing solid or concrete... :type: :rant:

I have a 2008 9n3 Polo GTI with +/- 115 000 on the clock. Got it around 80 000 on the clock and I bought it from my moms. Now during the time she had the car she asked someone to drive for her or she loaned the car to someone and this person was in an accident and hit a pavement. The car was repaired and so on, I'm not sure what was damaged and what was fixed but I assume it was the ball joints and tie rods and shocks maybe. They seem okay I've had a look at the joints and rods they seem fine. There is some play in the wheel but it comes from the control arm, on the front side of the control arm and not the common 9n3 bushes that normally fail.

I have the last alignment results as follows,
Front Right -1.30
Front Left -2.05
Rear Right -1.68
Rear Left -1.32

I don't know how to upload a pic, my bad. Now my issue is with the front left wheel's camber. The car feels quite unstable at high speeds (It has since Ive had it), around 160 to 180 Kph. And the ride is on the hard side as well. Could this camber be caused by a failed shock and is the camber affecting the stability? And if so could I replace it with a standard 9n3 shock? Im aware the non GTI model shock differ from the GTI ones but in what way? And what would I be risking if I do fit these standard shocks? I know there is no way to adjust camber on these vehicles. And aftermarket parts are very hard to find here and are expensive if I manage to find them.

I called the local dealer here in Namibia, Im in Windhoek by the way and they want 1500 for each shock front and rear. We have a Goldwagen here but they are useless.

I hope to get some clarity and advice on what to do.

Thanks.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by Unobeat »

Contact GW Delary and see if they can get you shocks and courier to you.

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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

you cannot adjust camber on them. So if it is out something is bent.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

Exactly yes. I plan to rotate them soon. I believe they are the same each side and will fit in just to see if it is the shock that is bent.

Thanks.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

It is not just the shock that can bend and a bent shock is sort of visible. The arm that is part of the hub carrier that the shock mounts into also bends and they are not obvious.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

Are you talking about the knuckle? The part that holds the brakes and so? I see yes, could be that. When I rotate the shocks and there is no change in camber then It has to be the knuckle/ hub carrier.

Thanks...
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

Yes knucle / hub carrier / bearing carrier whatever you want to call it. The thing that everything bolts to in the middle. The bit that goes up to the shock is made to give way a bit to absorb impact. So they actually bend quite easily in an accident where pavements are involved.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by Ashveer03 »

@OP sorry for hijacking..

@Panic, since u are more experienced than most others here I have a question for u..

I have seen the 9n camber topic pop up a few times regarding "bending camber" and I read that its not a good idea doing so. Every workshop that I have been to that does wheel alignment (all useless in my opinion) says "it" must be bent, and they dont seem keen to explain what they are actually bending.
And as u stated above, that a stub-axle (thats what i call it) is made to give abit of way, is that what's being bent when they try to correct the camber?

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James Christians_Nam
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

See Panic's previous cars!! Ooh I love that RS6 but dont have the money to maintain it... Lol. Im good with my baby GTI for now.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

It's not a stub axle. It is part of the hub carrier. And if anybody has to bend stuff to correct camber I always get very worried becuase there is something inherently wrong. Also correcting it could rather mean they have to simply undo the subframe and moving that over specially it it is + one side and - the other side.

James the cars list are current cars. Not enough space to list previous. There is around 60.
Last edited by panic-mechanic on Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

So something on this assembly is possibly bent if the shock is straight. And as hard as it might be to believe it bends in the area between the two yellow paint marks. Or like I said - the subframe possibly moved.


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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

:eek: :crazy: :drool: :drool:

Respect Panic.

I can see how it would be hard it would be to see damage there. I think Im gonna have to remove the hubs as well and have a look at them.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by Ashveer03 »

Yeah seems very difficult if not impossible to tell if thats bent. Buying that part used is also not a very good idea then..

We need to find proper alignment shops in each city/area and make that a sticky

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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

I called my local VW dealer and they charge 1500 for a shock, front and rear. They couldnt give me a price to fit them. They said that the Polo GTI shock is shorter and thats all difference. Can anyone verify this or shed some light?
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

yes shorter by around 15mm
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

So Ill be sacrificing some ride height? Is the damping the same? If I use standard 9n3 shocks with the GTI springs will the ride be bouncy? I think I may have to look into coil overs. Stock GTI shocks are too expensive for me here in Nam.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by Ashveer03 »

Maybe do some research on a polo tdi sportline shock? I know that the oem springs on sportlines are lower than highlines, trendlines, etc.. maybe the shock is short aswell and possibly similar if not the same height as the gti..?

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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

Ill have a look into that yes. I think it uses the same shock as the Gti. If thats the case it might be worthless trying to get those. They'll cost the same as the Gti shock

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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

I spoke to Tyre Rack today. They the can get me Max Trax coil overs for 8300. LOL... And they dont fit them either.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by Ashveer03 »

Maxtrac in SA sells for about 5k. Would be much cheaper to buy it here and have it delivered to u.

I have heard alot of people complaining about maxtrac coilovers though, most preferred is JOM. And if im not mistaken, theres a diy on coilovers on 1 of the forums

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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

Yes I understand the JOM Blueline is the way to go. For what do they go for? Im sure I could get a contact number here on the forum somewhere and then organise delivery an so on. It shouldnt be that hard to install. I dont mind getting my hands dirty.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by Ashveer03 »

A few guys had them on special recently for about R5100. Check gumtree for latest pricing, or alternatively contact the JOM warehouse which should be in Jhb if im not mistaken, for a safer option.

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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

I still thinking you a reaplcing the wrong item to solve your problem.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by James Christians_Nam »

I hear you Panic. Im not going to buy anything if Im not completely sure. The hub carrier u suggested could be the issue here. I think my best bet is to get the hubs together next to each other and have a look. I think if I rotate the shocks (Looks possible) I can narrow out the shocks and then It should be the hub carrier.
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Re: 9n3 GTI Shocks and Camber Questions

Post by Ashveer03 »

It would be difficult telling a difference of a few degrees by eye, taking the shape of the part into consideration

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