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How to change front suspension strut on VW Fox Hatchback (5Z1, 5Z3, 5Z4) – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Fox Hatchback (5Z1, 5Z3, 5Z4) 1.2, VW Fox Hatchback (5Z1, 5Z3, 5Z4) 1.4 TDI, VW Fox Hatchback (5Z1, 5Z3, 5Z4) 1.4, VW Fox Hatchback (5Z1, 5Z3, 5Z4) 1.2 … 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

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Fox Hatchback (5Z1, 5Z3, 5Z4) and other VW models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Drive socket # 12 
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      XZN socket bit # 12 
                    
                      12-point socket # 30
                    
                      HEX bit no.H6.
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Pin punch
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). AUTODOC recommends:

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.
Please note: all work on the car – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3) – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.

Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.

Step 3

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 6

Unscrew the hub lock nut. Use 12-point socket No.30. Use a tap wrench.
Step 7

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 8

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 9

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 10

Remove the wheel.
Step 11

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12

Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Detach the brake hose from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #12.
Step 15

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use XZN #12. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a tap wrench.
Step 16

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.Wear protective goggles.
Step 17

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #13. Use a tap wrench.
Step 18

Disconnect the spherical joint from the arm.
Step 19

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use 12-point socket No.30.

Step 20

Remove the drive shaft. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.

Step 21

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 22

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 23

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 24

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 25

Unscrew the upper fastening of the shock absorber strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3) – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 26

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 27

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). 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 28

Compress the spring.
Step 29

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 30

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 31

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.
Step 32

Release the coil spring.
Step 33

Remove the spring.
Step 34

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). 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 35

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 36

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 37

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 38

Compress the spring.
Step 39

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 40

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 FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 41

Decompress the spring.
Step 42

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 43

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 44

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Do not tighten it.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 45

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 46

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 47

Install the fastening bolt. Use a drive socket #18.
Step 48

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 49

Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 50

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 51

Mount the drive shaft into the wheel hub.

Step 52

Clean the ball joint mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 53

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 54

Screw the fasteners of the ball joint. Use a drive socket #13.
Step 55

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 56

Tighten the ball joint fastener. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 57

Screw the nut of the drive shaft. Use 12-point socket No.30.
Step 58

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Use a drive socket #12.
Step 59

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 60

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 40 Nm torque.
Step 61

Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 62

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 63

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3). Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 64

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. VW FOX (5Z1, 5Z3)
Step 65

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 66

Lower the car.
Step 67

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 15 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 68

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 69

Screw the wheel hub lock nut. Use 12-point socket No.30. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.+45°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 70

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.

Step 71

Remove the jacks and chocks.

Step 72

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 73

Close the hood.

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