Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 TD, GTD, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 TDI, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.4, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.6, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.8, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.8, VW GOLF III (1H1) 2.0, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.4, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.3 … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 3 (1H1) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for GOLF III (1H1) and other VW models

Shock absorber

        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Diesel (75 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Diesel (90 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (55 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (75 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (75 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (90 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (115 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (60 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (54 hp)

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. List of the tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Combination spanner #21
                      
                        Drive socket # 10
                      
                        14.5-mm strut nut socket
                      
                        Drive socket # 18
                      
                        Drive socket # 21
                      
                        HEX bit No.H6.
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. 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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Use the following procedure:

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 a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 6

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 7

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Clean the fastener of the bracket that connects the brake hose to the shock strut. Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Unscrew the brake hose fastening bracket from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Disconnect the brake hose mounting bracket.
Step 13

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 14

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 15

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 16

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 17

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Golf 3 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 18

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 19

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. 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 20

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Compress the spring.
Step 22

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a 14.5-mm strut nut socket. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 23

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 24

Release the coil spring.
Step 25

Remove the spring.
Step 26

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 27

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 28

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 29

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 30

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 31

Compress the spring.
Step 32

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 33

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a 14.5-mm strut nut socket. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 34

Decompress the spring.
Step 35

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 36

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 37

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 38

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 39

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Do not tighten it.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 40

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 41

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 42

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 43

Screw in the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 44

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 95 Nm torque.
Step 45

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 46

Clean the brake hose mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 47

Secure the brake hose fastening bracket.
Step 48

Tighten the brake hose fastening bracket to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #10. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 13 Nm torque.
Step 49

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 50

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 51

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 52

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 53

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 54

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 55

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 nm torque.
Step 56

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 57

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 nm torque.
Step 58

Treat the upper fastener of the suspension strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 59

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 60

Close the hood.

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