Home › VW Jetta › Lowering springs

Jetta · Handling

Jetta Lowering springs Install Guide

Your Jetta

Pick your year to see what fits.

Fixes the wheel gap
Hard$250–$4003–5 hrs
All Jetta 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.

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. Remove the caliper

    • Take off the caliper.
    Watch this step (H&R on a VW Jetta) (3:01–5:18)

  11. Undo the ball joint

    • Free the joint and axle.
    Watch this step (5:18–8:22)

  12. Remove the strut

    • Take it out.
    Watch this step (8:22–10:39)

  13. Swap the spring

    • Compress and swap it.
    Watch this step (10:39–13:40)

  14. Refit the strut

    • Fit and torque it.
    Watch this step (13:40–17:30)

  15. Do the rear

    • Lower the arm and swap the spring.
    Watch this step (17:30–20:00)

  16. Remove the caliper

    • Take off the caliper.
    Watch this step (H&R on a VW Jetta) (3:01–5:18)

  17. Undo the ball joint

    • Free the joint and axle.
    Watch this step (5:18–8:22)

  18. Remove the strut

    • Take it out.
    Watch this step (8:22–10:39)

  19. Swap the spring

    • Compress and swap it.
    Watch this step (10:39–13:40)

  20. Refit the strut

    • Fit and torque it.
    Watch this step (13:40–17:30)

  21. Do the rear

    • Lower the arm and swap the spring.
    Watch this step (17:30–20:00)

  22. Remove the caliper

    • Take off the caliper.
    Watch this step (H&R on a VW Jetta) (3:01–5:18)

  23. Undo the ball joint

    • Free the joint and axle.
    Watch this step (5:18–8:22)

  24. Remove the strut

    • Take it out.
    Watch this step (8:22–10:39)

  25. Swap the spring

    • Compress and swap it.
    Watch this step (10:39–13:40)

  26. Refit the strut

    • Fit and torque it.
    Watch this step (13:40–17:30)

  27. Do the rear

    • Lower the arm and swap the spring.
    Watch this step (17:30–20:00)

  28. Do the rear

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

  29. Remove the front

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

  30. Fit the front

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

  31. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (H&R on a 2019 GLI) (2:30–7:05)

  32. Take apart the front

    • Remove the parts in the way.
    Watch this step (7:05–12:14)

  33. Remove the strut

    • Take it off.
    Watch this step (12:14–16:18)

  34. Swap the spring

    • Swap it.
    Watch this step (16:18–21:50)

  35. Reinstall

    • Refit the strut.
    Watch this step (21:50–26:14)

  36. Do the rear

    • Fit the rear springs.
    Watch this step (on a 2021 Jetta S) (2:45–4:43)

  37. Do the front

    • Swap the front.
    Watch this step (4:43–7:15)

  38. Finish

    • Final torque.
    Watch this step (7:15–10:13)

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.

Lowering Spring install guides for other cars

More Jetta mods