FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Rear Suspension (FWD)



Shock absorber/spring, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required





^ Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383A





^ Shock absorber set T10001

Removing spring





- Disconnect connector - 1 - from speed sensor.
- Unclip speed sensor wire from bracket.





- With vehicle standing on its wheels, remove bolts - 1 -. If necessary, lift vehicle until bolts are accessible.
- Raise vehicle to working height, thus relieving tension off coil spring.
- Remove spring.

Installing spring
- Check whether lower spring plate (zinc) is damaged.
- Replace if necessary.
- Install spring together with upper spring plate.

Note installation position.





End of spring - arrow - must lie against stop on spring plate.





- Use transmission jack V.A.G 1359/2- to press rear axle upward.
- Bolt shock absorber to body. Tightening torque: 30 Nm plus an additional 90°1/4 turn.

Use new bolts!

Removing shock absorber





- With vehicle standing on its wheels, remove bolts - 1 -. If necessary, lift vehicle until bolts are accessible.
- Raise vehicle to working height, thus relieving tension off coil spring.
- Remove hexagon bolt - 2 - securing shock absorber to axle.





For ease of illustration the procedure is shown with the wheel removed.
- Remove shock absorber.

Installation is carried out in reverse order.

The vehicle must be standing on its wheels when tightening the bolt connections with bonded rubber bushings.
Otherwise, the bushing would be subject to torsion and its service life shortened.