I got sold a Lemon, can I make lemonade ?
- Thread starter Jason_e
- Start date
Hahaha don’t I hate reverse rake so much. I’ll fix it soon….Looks like you've got a four bag sand and cement diy project in mind and you're on the way back from BNQ
Well last night I uploaded a new video detailing my experience fitting coilovers, and my thoughts on the JOM Items.
For those who can't be bothered to watch 20 minutes of bleeping and angle grinding, I'll write up my thoughts too....
The JOM Blueline Kit:
I've owned a few sets of cheap coilers over the years. TA Technixx, unbranded, FK's. I have to say the JOMs look the best out of the box, nicely designed with decent looking bump stops and dust covers too!
One thing to remember is that like all these coilover kits is that they're not specifically designed for 1 car. They take advantage of the fact most modern cars share platforms, and therefore are designed to fit more than one vehicle. In this case, our cars share a platform with various other VAG models (Seats, Skodas, VWs, full list on JOMs Website). For the most part, this isnt actually an issue. They'll use a spring rate that works across the board for that particular kit, for example, which isnt ideal but... its £220 for a full suspension kit!
Fitting:
Time for the fun part, fitting! Obviously if you're fitting coilovers, you may as well have a refresh while you're there. Very important to consider this as your £220 mod will soon become a £300-400 mod! Top mounts are the obvious one, but you MUST and I repeat MUST Replace the lower bolts which clamp the front struts to the hubs. I detailed the reasons why in a previous video on my channel (Audi TT, similar setup).
Fronts are traditionally, the worst to do. And when I say Traditionally, I mean on FWD VW platform cars. This is primarily due to the pinch bolt and clamp which clamps the shock to the hub. You'll need to have a breaker bar to crack the old bolt off, no doubt. Furthermore, you'll need to have a tool which can help split the hub. I've done it without a few times and, its not fun. Even with a massive wedge in there (Hardened steel, its bloody strong!) You're going to be drowning it in your favourite release fluid while you smash the living bejesus out of the hub.
Immediately, the A2 comes into its own becoming increasingly difficult over anything I've done before when you get to the top mounts. All the bolts are completely inaccessible on the drivers side. On the passenger side, they're tight but doable. I ended up using a 1/4" ratchet, and a lot of pressure on my fingers. Which led to pain for several days... no joke!
Then comes the rear, which on most FWD cars is SUPER easy. With the car on axle stands, I have a jack support under one of the cups on the beam. Once its all undone you can lower the beam and undo everything. The top mount fixing for the shocks is a bit inaccessible, I actually cut the arch liner for easier access for future changes.
The ONLY modification I needed to do, was to the rear beam. Where the adjusters sit there is a spring cup. For some reason on the A2 the inboard extrusion (which would go in the middle of the spring to help seat it) has an extension welded to it. This increase in height means when you go to fit the adjuster, it'll just sit on top of that cup and the bolt isnt long enough to attach it. I cut the cup down so that the adjuster could sit flat on the face of the spring seat, which is better for spreading the load. It was an absolute pain in the arse!
And now its fitted?
Well as per my previous posts, the rear does sit a bit too low even when all the way up. Could be related to my angle grindering, or could be just that the springs are for a car with a lighter rear end? either way, something to fix.
The ride is acceptable, not too crashy for a budget kit! If you're looking to save money, and go in with your eyes open, the JOM kit is very good I think.
For those who can't be bothered to watch 20 minutes of bleeping and angle grinding, I'll write up my thoughts too....
The JOM Blueline Kit:
I've owned a few sets of cheap coilers over the years. TA Technixx, unbranded, FK's. I have to say the JOMs look the best out of the box, nicely designed with decent looking bump stops and dust covers too!
One thing to remember is that like all these coilover kits is that they're not specifically designed for 1 car. They take advantage of the fact most modern cars share platforms, and therefore are designed to fit more than one vehicle. In this case, our cars share a platform with various other VAG models (Seats, Skodas, VWs, full list on JOMs Website). For the most part, this isnt actually an issue. They'll use a spring rate that works across the board for that particular kit, for example, which isnt ideal but... its £220 for a full suspension kit!
Fitting:
Time for the fun part, fitting! Obviously if you're fitting coilovers, you may as well have a refresh while you're there. Very important to consider this as your £220 mod will soon become a £300-400 mod! Top mounts are the obvious one, but you MUST and I repeat MUST Replace the lower bolts which clamp the front struts to the hubs. I detailed the reasons why in a previous video on my channel (Audi TT, similar setup).
Fronts are traditionally, the worst to do. And when I say Traditionally, I mean on FWD VW platform cars. This is primarily due to the pinch bolt and clamp which clamps the shock to the hub. You'll need to have a breaker bar to crack the old bolt off, no doubt. Furthermore, you'll need to have a tool which can help split the hub. I've done it without a few times and, its not fun. Even with a massive wedge in there (Hardened steel, its bloody strong!) You're going to be drowning it in your favourite release fluid while you smash the living bejesus out of the hub.
Immediately, the A2 comes into its own becoming increasingly difficult over anything I've done before when you get to the top mounts. All the bolts are completely inaccessible on the drivers side. On the passenger side, they're tight but doable. I ended up using a 1/4" ratchet, and a lot of pressure on my fingers. Which led to pain for several days... no joke!
Then comes the rear, which on most FWD cars is SUPER easy. With the car on axle stands, I have a jack support under one of the cups on the beam. Once its all undone you can lower the beam and undo everything. The top mount fixing for the shocks is a bit inaccessible, I actually cut the arch liner for easier access for future changes.
The ONLY modification I needed to do, was to the rear beam. Where the adjusters sit there is a spring cup. For some reason on the A2 the inboard extrusion (which would go in the middle of the spring to help seat it) has an extension welded to it. This increase in height means when you go to fit the adjuster, it'll just sit on top of that cup and the bolt isnt long enough to attach it. I cut the cup down so that the adjuster could sit flat on the face of the spring seat, which is better for spreading the load. It was an absolute pain in the arse!
And now its fitted?
Well as per my previous posts, the rear does sit a bit too low even when all the way up. Could be related to my angle grindering, or could be just that the springs are for a car with a lighter rear end? either way, something to fix.
The ride is acceptable, not too crashy for a budget kit! If you're looking to save money, and go in with your eyes open, the JOM kit is very good I think.
Cheers! I certainly feel like I’m on the home stretch now. Which is good as… funds are very tight!
As @dj_efk alluded to I have an order down for an Up! GTI in a few months. So it’s either a deadline for finishing the A2, or the Range Rover to sell. In my head that means complete both!
Jobs left on the A2, as far as I can remember…
Mechanical/Electrical issues:
Pretty sure that’s it…. Wow when you write it down it’s actually quite a bit
As @dj_efk alluded to I have an order down for an Up! GTI in a few months. So it’s either a deadline for finishing the A2, or the Range Rover to sell. In my head that means complete both!
Jobs left on the A2, as far as I can remember…
Mechanical/Electrical issues:
- Get @timmus to (re)fit a DIS cluster
- Fix the drivers door switch
- Fit the near side wishbone I have for it, and probably new bush on that dammed aluminium carrier thing
- Upgrade the shifter mech bush (the little plastic b****r)
- Give the car a good 2 or 3 stage polish to remove the automatic car wash scratches that are all over it, as well as the weird pattern in the roof lacquer.
- Respray the rear corner where there’s a small scuff.
- Refurbished the wheels
- Find missing centre caps
- Redo the headlining… on a budget! (Oh just can’t WAIT to scrape all that adhesive).
Pretty sure that’s it…. Wow when you write it down it’s actually quite a bit
Proghound
Admin Team
Jason, if your plans involve @timmus then you are hopefully aware that he's going to be within easy reach of your location in a few weeks during a residency at my place in Leighton Buzzard. I'd suggest you book him up as slots are going fast.
I may also be able to help with the centre caps. I have four that are varying degrees of good/reasonable, although none of them is perfect. Or if you wanted to strip the chrome rings off them and go for all-grey which is at least uniform and untarnished, I have a fifth one I've already done that to and could part with three of the others. Drop me a PM for details/pictures.
I may also be able to help with the centre caps. I have four that are varying degrees of good/reasonable, although none of them is perfect. Or if you wanted to strip the chrome rings off them and go for all-grey which is at least uniform and untarnished, I have a fifth one I've already done that to and could part with three of the others. Drop me a PM for details/pictures.
Last edited:
Thought I’d quickly run the polisher over some sections tonight to see what I have to work with.
This is how bad the paint is all over….
Not sure why that’s rotated, but essentially it’s been through a fair few automatic washers. That, and the rear doors are covered in sun cream hand marks burnt into the paint! Last but not least, the roof has some very odd markings all over it.
So, I tried the rear quarter and a patch on the roof…
And on the roof, you can see in the foreground where I’ve polished it and then in the background how it was before….
Anyways. Now I know there’s paint underneath I need to do the whole car! Soon….
This is how bad the paint is all over….
Not sure why that’s rotated, but essentially it’s been through a fair few automatic washers. That, and the rear doors are covered in sun cream hand marks burnt into the paint! Last but not least, the roof has some very odd markings all over it.
So, I tried the rear quarter and a patch on the roof…
And on the roof, you can see in the foreground where I’ve polished it and then in the background how it was before….
Anyways. Now I know there’s paint underneath I need to do the whole car! Soon….
Last edited by a moderator:
CrispyEdd
Member
Nice work, difference huge.
Car is transformed. 
CrispyEdd
Member
Nice one, thanks for doing these videos. Think your talk on price rising is correct, definitely a grand more on average than last year. Shame in a way as stops a lot of people getting on ladder, but obviously good news for the dedicated restorers.Did a talky video summarising A2 ownership of anyone is interested
VLOG: Living with an Audi A2! What its like to own, fix, and modify!
When's the UP! arriving?
Thanks!
Yeah the advantage is that they’re now being looked after and appreciated more by us enthusiasts.
The Up! Is due September time. Build date is week 27 so it’s moving fast. Got some car shuffling to do!