The existing height setting will affect how easy it is to get them out to adjust them, normally it’s a two man job as you need to remove the wheel the remove the bolt out of the bottom of the shock to allow the lower arm to drop (don’t need to remove wheel if you are on a ramp as you can access from underneath) this is where it takes two people, one person to lean on the end of the lower arm to drop it as far as possible while the second person gets under to tackle the spring/adjuster
Ok thanks, I’ll have a look underneath next weekend
I know I’ve read this on here somewhere but I’ve done a search and can’t find it. Can anyone tell me how many turns of the rear adjusters on B14s per cm of height change?
Getting a new front CV boot fitted at a local VW independent tomorrow and I’ve asked them to drop the rears and do another alignment as well. Trouble is when I spoke to him on the phone he didn’t seem to have come across them before so I want to give him as much info as possible as I want this sorting once and for all, struggled to find the time to get this done or find someone to do it.
Getting a new front CV boot fitted at a local VW independent tomorrow and I’ve asked them to drop the rears and do another alignment as well. Trouble is when I spoke to him on the phone he didn’t seem to have come across them before so I want to give him as much info as possible as I want this sorting once and for all, struggled to find the time to get this done or find someone to do it.
Adjusting B14 Rear. This might help. I did mine on a ramp but if you can get both back wheels in the air at the same time it is really easy.
Brilliant thanks, I knew I'd seen it somewhere but couldn't find it. I'm not doing it myself but I'll pass that info on to the garage that is. It's there at the moment and I must admit I'm a bit apprehensive, they call themselves VW specialists and even mention transporters but when I rang the guy that I spoke to had never heard of Bilstein and said he'd never come across a transporter with aftermarket suspension
I explained where the adjusters are and what needs doing but he said it might need special tools. I told him it didn't but he didn't look convinced. I have half a feeling that I'll go back for it and he'll say he didn't have time (it's in for other work too) or that he's done it when he hasn't - and I'll know cos I've measured it to the mm. Fingers crossedBrilliant, they've just rung me and said everything is done but they haven't done the shocks cos they need a special tool. They haven't looked to see if this is the case but said that there's a special spanner for unlocking 2 rings at the top of the shocks and they don't have it. I've told them again and they're going to have a look, but I think they just can't be @rsed. I'm at a loss to know where to go, VW won't do it, I'm not going back to THQ and it seems it's beyond a VW independent too
Brilliant, they've just rung me and said everything is done but they haven't done the shocks cos they need a special tool. They haven't looked to see if this is the case but said that there's a special spanner for unlocking 2 rings at the top of the shocks and they don't have it. I've told them again and they're going to have a look, but I think they just can't be @rsed. I'm at a loss to know where to go, VW won't do it, I'm not going back to THQ and it seems it's beyond a VW independent too
Why would you not take it back to THQ? Was there a problem?
Yes. And it's too far away.
Hmmm ok thanks. I was thinking of taking my van to them.
solows?
Check your cv boots lad after you’ve had them done
To be fair the job is easier with the 'C' spanners that you will have received with the B14s. Also if they don't know what they are doing they could damage the rings and you would be worse off. Where in North Lincs are you because someone should be able to recommend a garage locally. They don't even need to be a VW specialist in my opinion.
Van having 14's fitted! It's on 20's but can anyone please recommend best setting?! I don't want to scraping the floor but would like reasonably low! Any advice welcome!
You're right, I have found the C spanners you mentioned when I got back. They didn't have them and didn't want to attempt it without, and also said they have no idea how to make it level with front so I told them not to bother with the alignment either. I just assumed that any garage that advertises they do all sorts of work on VWs to have them. At least they did the CV boot. I don't know whether I'll try someone else or just leave it, I'm getting a bit weary of it now. I'm just East of Doncaster, which is where I work and where the garage is located.
@andys honestly this is a job you can have a go at yourself if you have a decent jack and a mate. Do as @Pauly says regarding jacking the van up removing the wheel then the bottom bolt to release the shock, I have found the easiest way is to remove the adjuster and spring then adjust it off the van. This is were your mate comes in as you will need someone to put there weight on the hub to get it low enough to remove the spring, I use a bar through the hub and the heaviest mate you’ve got to stand on it. As mentioned you need a decent jack and preferably some axel stands as you have to get under the van to remove the spring and wouldn’t go anywhere near this with the factory jack. I would say the whole process is a couple of hours work max.
Thanks for the idea, but I haven't got a decent jack or axle stands and have a gravel drive, and I just don't want to attempt it. I want to be able to just leave it somewhere while I'm working but if I don't get chance to have it done soon I'll just leave it as it is, I don't have the time and the van will be going in the summer.
