Been reading about the defcon bushing mod and have a question: does the change really decrease understeer (defined as a reduction in the tire slip angle), or does it just give more precise steering? My biggest complaint with my 2001 TT is that the steering doesn't seem precise. It's not loose or slow in its rate , but more like mushy and slow to respond, and the defcon mod sounds like it might fix that. (I swear that I can feel it compressing that big rubber bushing before the steering responds.) However, I don't really want less understeer in it; I was surprised (did not lose control, tho) once by significant trailing throttle oversteer on a cloverleaf ramp, and I don't think I would want to do anything to increase that tendency near the limit or in bad weather. For people who got the mod, how has it changed the handling of the car near the limit? Do you feel it has a greater tendency to step out when you lift the throttle near the limit?

It seems to me that for the most part of it a stiffer bushing would not decrease understeer, that the main handling effect would be to make the control arm more direct in making the rest of the car follow the steering input. OTOH, I could also see how the stiffer bushing under certain circumstances could give the weight of the car more immediate leverage against the control arm and therefore the front tires.

I think the TT tightens up pretty well cornering with some throttle, so I don't want a dramatic handling change, just more precise steering.

The infamous 2000 TT suspension recall is context for this.

 

The idea behind the recall 'fix' was to put a more compliant bushing in to create more understeer, and I'd say a byproduct of that is a more mushy feel to the steering, by association.

I don't have the defcon sleeves, but I do have full poly bushings. You'll see similar results, maybe a little less than what I've got out of it, but along the same lines.

I've noticed increased tire life, and a more crisp feel, and a little less understeer (related just to the bushings) I also have a pretty solid coilover setup, and a pretty solid swaybar to figure into the equation.

I'd say go for it, I've never heard a complaint.

 

Everyone's interpretation of the change in the feeling of the car is different. For me, I notice a reduction in understeer, and much more responsive steering input. Not sure what that means to you, but I like the reduction in understeer. I hated the "plow" I used to have, and love the more neutral handling I have now. If you find the understeer to be affected too much, you can dial some back in with a smaller/weaker rear sway bar, tire pressure changes, or front sway bar changed, and still have the improved steering response provided by the DEFCON system.