Merkur front hubs with Volkswagen struts

[GPz11]

So I’ve just ordered up the KYB agx adjustable struts since I’m running Scorpio hubs on my XR.

Are folks just running the VW bump stops?

Also did I read correctly that the Jetta struts use a 14mm top nut and the XR is 12mm? Guess I’ll have to drill out the upper nut of the Godfrey camber/caster plates.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I believe that's correct that the VW strut top is threaded for a 14mm nut.

There's only 3 or 4 people for have used the VW strut in a XR, so the knowledge-base is small. Shouldn't be an issue using the VW bump-stops.

What are you planning to do for a spacer with the Scorpio knuckles?

[my8950]

I am wondering if this is for coil overs only? Many of the photos from the original post are MIA now, and I see some that are on coil overs.

[GPz11]

I saw the difference is only a few mm so I'll get some shim stock from work.

Yes, I am running coil overs too

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I am wondering if this is for coil overs only? Many of the photos from the original post are MIA now, and I see some that are on coil overs.

I don't see any reason why the stock VW spring setup wouldn't work. I think it may actually provide a little more clearance than the stock XR setup; not as much clearance as any coil-over would provide obviously, but just a couple mm more than stock.

[my8950]

I am wondering if this is for coil overs only? Many of the photos from the original post are MIA now, and I see some that are on coil overs.

I don't see any reason why the stock VW spring setup wouldn't work. I think it may actually provide a little more clearance than the stock XR setup; not as much clearance as any coil-over would provide obviously, but just a couple mm more than stock.

Thanks for that...I'll be checking it out I think.

[brokencase]

GPz11 -

For the benefit of the Scorpio owners (of which I am one)...Please let us know how you made out.

[GPz11]

Please just remember I'm putting these on a highly modified XR, not a Scorpio.

I did bring in a dozen donuts to the boys in the back to get the spring perches machined off since they arrived yesterday. The upper bearings also arrived.

Need to get these installed along with a oil cooler before the 24th since I'm doing my first track day for the car.

[GPz11]

So for folks who are running coil overs with this swap, did you start with golf coil overs?

Pulled my struts off and will need to modify the upper spring perch and the upper nut for the Godfrey plates. This is because the diameter of the XR strut rod is smaller than the VW strut rod.

Also need to trim down the upper plate on the strut to allow the coil over sleeve to slide down.

[GPz11]

Installed but need a Cobra brake caliper before I can do a test drive.

I did use a thin piece of .023" shim stock to make up the difference in diameter.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I did use a thin piece of .023" shim stock to make up the difference in diameter.

Thanks for posting the pics and offering up the shim thickness. Did that thickness seem about right?

[GPz11]

I’m sure you could go a little bit thicker but it was enough to allow the strut to slide in without too much issue and still tighten up.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I’m sure you could go a little bit thicker but it was enough to allow the strut to slide in without too much issue and still tighten up.

The beauty of the pinch-bolt design is that it takes away the requirement to be ultra-precise there. A tiny bit of slop there would be no big deal and make future disassembly easier.

[my8950]

So when swapping struts on the front, is it necessary for an alignment each time here? I don't recall doing alignment on the last car I swapped, but that was about 15 years ago...

[GPz11]

Well, the correct answer is yes, everytime you make a change to the front suspension, you must align it.

However, I probably won't unless there is an issue.

Damn car has already had 2 alignments this year.