Refreshing Performance – VW MK4 Upkeep and Upgrades

Have you noticed your car getting less responsive? Maybe it doesn’t turn-in like it used to, the engine doesn’t seem as snappy? Cars age like we do and things start to wear out. The beauty of a car, though (unlike us), is that parts are easily replaceable and upgradeable.

Our own VW MkIV was starting to feel a little rough, so we finally decided to do something. You may not have a MkIV (or even a VW, for that matter), but these repairs and improvements apply to just about any car.

First, the front suspension felt sloppy. It would vibrate at speed, wander as if the steering wasn’t properly connected and it didn’t feel “tight”. We had visions of replacing ball joints and tie-rods, but once we got it up on the lift, the prognosis wasn’t so bleak. The guys at VW Specialties in Huntington Beach helped us diagnose and remedy the problems.