Volkswagen Mk7 GTI Suspension Guide: Mk7 GTI Suspension Problems, Diagnostics, & Upgrades

► In this FCP Euro Volkswagen Mk7 GTI suspension guide, our resident Volkswagen expert, Nathan Brown, educates us on common Mk7 suspension issues, how to diagnose them, and the best Mk7 GTI suspension upgrades available.
All of the potential failure and weak points that exist within the suspension of a Mk7 GTI are covered along with what's needed to fix them. Whether you're looking to purchase a Volkswagen Mk7 GTI yourself, or are simply looking to learn more about the one you own, Nathan has you covered.
Read more on our blog: blog.fcpeuro.com/
Index:
00:00 - Intro to the MK7 GTI Suspension
01:27 - Front Suspension Overview/Common Problems
11:23 - Front Suspension Diagnostics/On the lift
20:29 - Rear Suspension Overview/Common Problems
27:28 - Rear Suspension Diagnostics/On the lift
Shop Some Of The Parts Mentioned In This Video:
Bilstein Strut Replacement: www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Koni Strut Replacement: www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-s...
034 Adjustable Control Arms: www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Front Strut Mount Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Front Ball Joint Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-b...
Tie Rod Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-t...
Powerflex Suspension Handling Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
034 Sway Bar End Link Upgrade: www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Powerflex Camber Adjustable Control Arm Bushing : www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
034 Subframe Locking Collar Upgrade : www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-s...
Sachs Shock and Strut Assembly Front/Rear: www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-s...
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[@FlyingStuff]

I’ve never owned any car that has more stupid suspension noises/stupid issues than my Mk7. Their biggest and really only downfall in my opinion. Great Video.

[@draza3083]

As of the last 12 months or so, I couldn't agree more. Once you start hearing noises. Game over, it's a slippery slope.

[@wesstewart102]

Agree on the video and the assessment of the car. Wait until the oil intercooler leaks coolant into the lubrication system and your engine blows. The engine will sound like a can full of marbles. Got that replaced and now the suspension sounds like the can of marbles. This car has been dealer-maintained to the letter and yet at 97K it's ready for the scrap heap. My 2009 Pontiac G8 GT has 197K and is still going strong. One failed cam follower and one fuel injector failed in all of that time.

[@john_dee1431]

Learned a lot watching this. Thanks.

[@Werewolfmage]

I just used powerflex bushings on my b7 passats front control arms. what a difference. my old bushings were smoked. 129k miles and i will be honest .. they were screwed at 90k. i had a shake at 80 mph that felt like a out of balance tire. no more shaking and crisp responsive steering. i also used whiteline adjustable ball joints and replaced the tie rod ends and give her a alignment after i was done. thank goodness i work in a shop lol

[@MattPayne1]

For me on my 2017 Golf R the driver side front endlink started making a lot of pops/noises at 35k. So glad its fixed. Took a little to troubleshoot the cause.

[@e46Kyle]

Exactly what I’m experiencing. Thought I was going nuts trying to get mechanics to hear the clatter coming from my front suspension. Now almost positive it’s worn end links, but will replace the top strut mounts while I’m at it.

[@e46Kyle]

Suspension school crash course! Love how rationally you walk us through everything. Also like hearing that I don’t have to switch to adjustible end links if I mildly lower my Rabbit.

[@seano51]

Very informative! Thank you!!!

[@manniekerr1511]

Great video, very informative thanks!

[@hubbajohn]

Thanks for the info !!!!!!!

[@MotanyaneMathumetse]

best suspension video, do you have for Mk7 6?

[@debrajohnson4689]

best suspension video.

[@fcpeuro]

Thanks Debra , glad you enjoyed it! We have a few more MK7 Diagnostics videos coming out soon, so stay tuned.

[@kennethmchugh7213]

Outstanding overview. Thanks.

[@fcpeuro]

You;re pretty outstanding yourself Kenneth!

[@mikejames3263]

I significantly dropped my alltrack, and since, have a terrible squeak from the front oem sway bar bushings. Can they be replaced without removing the whole bar? In other words, is it similar in procedure to an mk4, for example?

[@ivancheung7457]

Best Video ever.

[@normandserrano2196]

Nice video! Didn’t realize GTIs/Rs in the US come with Damptronic MONROE shock absorbers used on entry level European Golfs, euro performance versions get Bilsteins B4s and Bilstein Damptronic variants. Also, what strut mounts do you guys recommend? Noticed you have Lemforders and Sachs.

[@fcpeuro]

Oh that's interesting! We've had great luck with both Sachs and Lemforders!

[@rogerea337]

The golfs in USA are assembly in México, sachs is the supplier. I have installed Racingline springs on OEM struts on a 1.4 tsi and I am looking for information to see if change them for bilstein B6 or B8.

[@mattcoady8171]

Nice video! What kind of camera do you use out of curiosity?

[@fcpeuro]

Thanks Matt, we use an FS5, and A7RIII.

[@slr004]

Very good video! I guess yours is a 2021 GTI. I have a '19 rabbit in cornflower blue too. I had an accident in which I hit the curb with the rear wheel. This definitely makes me understand how the whole thing works and the parts I need.

[@scampbell6008]

I believe the one in the video is a rabbit, I have a 21 SE in corndog blue and the 21s all have a sunroof as far as I can tell. You can see the front of the roof is blue on this one.

[@tengokgosidee4741]

I have 2017 vw jetta mk7 i have changed the shocks and the sway bars but the clucking sound is there what might be the problem

[@334trax2]

My car pushes, understeer of course FWD. I have APR coilovers but they don't have adjustable camber. I was told to get control arms you mentioned. I'm trying to get more speed through corners in track. If I get different coilovers, what is the best coilovers for track events with camber adjustments? I do not mine a stiff hard suspension. I have videos on track with car pushing in corners.

[@fcpeuro]

The Bilstein Clubsport Kit comes with adjustable camber plate top hats that will allow for you to dial in some negative camber.

[@334trax2]

@@fcpeuro thanks

[@peterpabian]

Sweet.

[@tsvetelinnizamski]

Does mk7 golf suspension and passat 3g b8 are the same? Can i use golf front lower arms on passat?

[@rickhenry9869]

why would you? Just buy the correct parts for your vehicle.

[@victorchen8484]

Install the TTS ball joint on the Golf for better geometry?

[@fcpeuro]

We've heard the same thing but have not tested swapping over some TTS suspension parts. We hope to put it through its paces before deciding for ourselves!

[@Zharsergey]

Need TTS control arms too then.

[@victorchen8484]

@@Zharsergey whiteline has this kit now, without the need of tt control arm

[@enriquetorres3179]

How would I fix a adaptive suspension damper warning light

[@aaronhernandez1141]

Are you on coilovers?

[@debrajohnson4689]

hate that damn clunking noise!

[@fcpeuro]

It is a miserable reminder that VW doesnt always love you 😥

[@danielcofield7195]

Has anyone here had their DCC re calibrated after replacing your struts or springs?

[@waltermercado2573]

Where can I buy that t shirt

[@dirk5950]

The 034 bearings are rubbish though. Why would you recommend them?

[@infraaa_]

What’s wrong with them?

[@334trax2]

@@infraaa_ I saw videos of 034 bushings low miles falling apart.

[@JamieMacFan1]

I have 20k miles on my 19’ rabbit gti, 17k of those on racingline sport springs/h&r sway bars and upgraded endlinks. All of a sudden I’m getting this hollow knocking sound(does not sound like metal on metal) at low/medium speed over any little bump coming from the rear. Almost sounds like a golf ball is in my boot lol. Driving me nuts and I Cannot pinpoint where it’s coming from. Any ideas?!

[@BetterThanBreadFilms]

Endlink bolts into control arm was my issue with that sound. Tightening a bit more fixed the issue for me.

[@rmc5278]

did you get anywhere with the noise coming from rear ?

[@MarkJCarruthers]

034 paid advertisement?

[@fcpeuro]

Surprisingly no ^.^ They were partners of the Motorsports program in the past (not for 2020), but we have worked closely with them over the past years.

[@rmc5278]

that rear multi link suspension is a joke .