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How to change front suspension strut on VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 1.2 TSI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 2.0 TFSI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 1.4 TSI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 1.6 TDI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 2.0 TDI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 2.5, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 2.0 TSI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 2.0 TDI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 1.4 TSI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 2.0 TDI, VW Beetle Hatchback (5C1, 5C2) 2.0 TSI … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      12-point socket 15/16”
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      XZN socket bit # 6 
                    
                      XZN socket bit # 14 
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 14 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Flat chisel
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Rubber mallet
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). Tip from AUTODOC:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Open the bonnet.

Step 3

Remove the windscreen wiper arm nut covers.
Step 4

Unscrew the fasteners of the windscreen wiper arms. Use a drive socket #14.
Step 5

Remove the wiper arms.
Step 6

Remove the cowl grille seal.
Step 7

Raise up and remove the cowl grille.
Step 8

Clean the fasteners of the shock absorber upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 9

Unscrew the upper fastening of the shock absorber strut. Use a drive socket #13.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). Tip:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 10

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 11

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW BEETLE (5C1)
Step 12

Remove the wheel.
Step 13

Remove the wheel rim cover.
Step 14

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 15

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 16

Loosen the wheel hub bolt. Use 15/16" drive 12-point socket.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). AUTODOC recommends:
Do not unscrew the fastener by more than 90 degrees.
Step 17

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 18

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW BEETLE (5C1)
Step 19

Remove the wheel.
Step 20

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 21

Clean the fasteners connecting the stabiliser link to the shock strut, and those connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 22

Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #18. Use XZN #6.
Step 23

Remove the level control system sensor from the suspension control arm.

Please note!
Some cars are not equipped with level control system sensors.
Step 24

Unscrew the nut and remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolt. Use a combination spanner #18. Use XZN #14.
Step 25

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 26

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 27

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use 15/16" drive 12-point socket. Use a tap wrench.
Step 28

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #16.
Step 29

Disconnect the spherical joint from the arm. Use a crowbar.
Step 30

Remove the drive shaft from the wheel hub.
Step 31

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 32

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 33

Compress the spring.
Step 34

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #18. Use HEX No.H6.
Step 35

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 36

Release the coil spring.
Step 37

Remove the spring.
Step 38

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 39

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 40

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 41

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 42

Compress the spring.
Step 43

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 44

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 45

Decompress the spring.
Step 46

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 47

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 48

Tighten the shock strut top mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 49

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). Tip:
If necessary, use a rubber mallet.
Step 50

Mount the drive shaft into the wheel hub.
Step 51

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 52

Screw in the fasteners of the ball joint lock plate (3 pieces). Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 53

Install and tighten a new bolt of the steering knuckle. Important! Be sure to use new fasteners. Use a combination spanner #18. Use XZN #14. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+90°

Please note!
The tightening torque is indicated for a steel steering knuckle.
Step 54

Secure the stabilizer link on the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #18. Use XZN #6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 55

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 56

Install and tighten the drive shaft bolt. Use 15/16" drive 12-point socket.
Step 57

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 58

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 59

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 60

Tighten the bolt connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Important! Be sure to use new fasteners. Use 15/16" drive 12-point socket. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+90°
Step 61

Install the wheel rim cover.
Step 62

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 63

Tighten the shock strut top mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 15 Nm torque.
Step 64

Clean the mounting seat of the cowl grille.

Step 65

Install and secure the cowl grille.
Step 66

Clean the pivots of the windscreen wiper arms. Use a wire brush. Treat the pivots of the windscreen wiper arms. Use copper grease.
Step 67

Reinstall the wiper arms.
Step 68

Tighten the fasteners of the wiper arms. Use a drive socket #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 10 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW BEETLE (5C1). Professionals recommend:
Make sure not to mix up the wiper arms on the driver's and passenger's sides.
Step 69

Install the cowl grille seal.
Step 70

Remove the jacks and chocks.

Step 71

Close the hood.

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