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Golf Lowering springs Install Guide

Your Golf

Pick your year to see what fits.

Fixes the wheel gap
Hard$250–$4003–5 hrs
All Golf mods

Why do it

Drops the car and fixes the factory wheel gap.

Tools you'll need

Starting out? See our budget tool list.

Parts to buy

Double-check fitment before buying. We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Before you start

  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.

Steps

  1. Remove the front

    • Take off the front struts.
    Watch this step (on a Mk4 Golf) (0:00–2:27)

  2. Swap the front springs

    • Compress and swap them.
    Watch this step (2:27–6:10)

  3. Swap the rear springs

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (6:10–8:02)

  4. Remove the front

    • Take off the front struts.
    Watch this step (on a Mk4 Golf) (0:00–2:27)

  5. Swap the front springs

    • Compress and swap them.
    Watch this step (2:27–6:10)

  6. Swap the rear springs

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (6:10–8:02)

  7. Remove the front

    • Take off the front struts.
    Watch this step (on a Mk4 Golf) (0:00–2:27)

  8. Swap the front springs

    • Compress and swap them.
    Watch this step (2:27–6:10)

  9. Swap the rear springs

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (6:10–8:02)

  10. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (on a Mk5) (1:08–7:07)

  11. Remove the front

    • Take off the struts.
    Watch this step (7:07–12:21)

  12. Fit the front

    • Swap the springs and refit.
    Watch this step (12:21–16:19)

  13. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (on a Mk5) (1:08–7:07)

  14. Remove the front

    • Take off the struts.
    Watch this step (7:07–12:21)

  15. Fit the front

    • Swap the springs and refit.
    Watch this step (12:21–16:19)

  16. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (on a Mk5 GTI) (1:08–7:07)

  17. Remove the front

    • Take off the struts.
    Watch this step (7:07–12:21)

  18. Fit the front

    • Swap the springs and refit.
    Watch this step (12:21–16:19)

  19. Start the install

    • Remove and swap the front.
    Watch this step (on a Mk6 GTI) (0:00–1:26)

  20. Do the rear

    • Install the rear.
    Watch this step (3:02–4:40)

  21. Finish the front

    • Finish the front.
    Watch this step (4:40–7:13)

  22. Reassemble

    • Put it together.
    Watch this step (9:36–11:57)

  23. Start the install

    • Remove and swap the front.
    Watch this step (on a Mk6) (0:00–1:26)

  24. Do the rear

    • Install the rear.
    Watch this step (3:02–4:40)

  25. Finish the front

    • Finish the front.
    Watch this step (4:40–7:13)

  26. Remove the front

    • Take off the wheel and strut.
    Watch this step (on a Mk7 GTI) (1:43–7:53)

  27. Refit the front

    • Swap the spring and fit it.
    Watch this step (7:53–12:58)

  28. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (12:58–14:47)

  29. Remove the front

    • Take off the wheel and strut.
    Watch this step (on a Mk7 GTI) (1:43–7:53)

  30. Refit the front

    • Swap the spring and fit it.
    Watch this step (7:53–12:58)

  31. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (12:58–14:47)

  32. Remove the front

    • Take off the wheel and strut.
    Watch this step (on a Mk7 GTI, same layout) (1:43–7:53)

  33. Refit the front

    • Swap the spring and fit it.
    Watch this step (7:53–12:58)

  34. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (12:58–14:47)

  35. Remove the front

    • Take off the wheel and strut.
    Watch this step (on a Mk7 GTI, same layout) (1:43–7:53)

  36. Refit the front

    • Swap the spring and fit it.
    Watch this step (7:53–12:58)

  37. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (12:58–14:47)

How to know it worked

Did this guide work for you?

Safety first

  • Park on flat ground, set the parking brake and chock the wheels.
  • Never get under a car held up only by a jack. Use jack stands.
  • Let the engine and exhaust cool first.
  • Disconnect the battery before unplugging electrical parts.
  • Wear safety glasses.
  • If something doesn't match your car, stop and ask a shop.

Follow your part's instructions and your service manual's torque specs.

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