Side Bars for Volkswagen Golf Mk6

Side bars are braces fitted in pairs, one on each side of the underbody. Rear side bars tie the rear suspension or subframe mounts to the floor ahead of them, while longer side and floor bars run along the floor between the axles.

Under braking, acceleration and cornering, the rear suspension pushes and pulls on its mounts in several directions at once. Where those mounts sit on thin floor panels, the metal around them flexes, so the rear wheels steer slightly and toe changes with the load. A bar from each mount to a stiffer part of the shell gives the load a second path, so the mount moves less and the rear behaves more consistently.

Longer side and floor bars also stiffen the shell between the axles, helping the sills and floor resist twisting. Because the bars come in pairs, both sides of the car are treated alike.

Points to check in each title:

• Type: rear side bars act at the rear mounts, while side and floor bars run further along the floor. Some titles call the rear type rear/side braces.
• Point count: pairs of 2-, 3- and 4-point bars are listed. More points spread the load across more of the floor.
• Vehicle: rear suspension designs differ between versions of one model, so match the chassis code, engine and years in the title.
• Other braces: side bars pair naturally with lower and mid braces, which complete a load path from front to rear.

Side bars run close to brake pipes, fuel lines, the fuel tank and handbrake cables, so check every gap before final tightening. Fit one side at a time, using the fixings the instructions call for, and tighten each bolt to the torque in the workshop manual.

On a lowered car the bars can become the lowest point at the rear, so take care over ramps and kerbs. Grit and road salt collect along the sills, so inspect the bars and bolts at each service and after any grounding.