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How to change front suspension strut on VW Passat 3C B6 Variant – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.6 FSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 FSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.9 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI 16V, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.6, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TFSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 3.2 FSI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI 16V 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 FSI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.4 TSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.8 TSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.4 TSI EcoFuel, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 BlueTDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.6 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.8 TSI … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.6 FSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 FSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.9 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI 16V, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.6, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TFSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 3.2 FSI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI 16V 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 FSI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.4 TSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.8 TSI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.4 TSI EcoFuel, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 BlueTDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.6 TDI, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 2.0 TDI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (3C5) 1.8 TSI … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change a front shock strut on VW PASSAT B6 (3C5) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Passat Variant (3C5) and other VW models
Shock absorber
Alternative products

Wire brush
WD-40 spray
Brake cleaner
Copper grease
HEX bit no.H6.
XZN socket bit # 14
12-point socket # 24
Drive socket # 13
Drive socket # 16
Drive socket # 18
Drive socket # 19
Drive socket # 21
Wheel impact socket #17
Ratchet wrench
Torque wrench
Shock absorber socket
Pin punch
Tap wrench
Clip removal tool
Crow bar
Hydraulic strut spring compressor
Hydraulic transmission jack
Fender cover
Wheel chock
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Passat 3C5. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
- 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 – Passat Variant B6. Use the following procedure:
- Step 1Open the bonnet.
- Step 2Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
- Step 3Detach the windscreen washer nozzle hose. Use a clip removal tool.
- Step 4Remove the clips of the plastic cowl grille.
- Step 5Raise the wiper plastic cowl grille.
- Step 6Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 7Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 8Secure the wheels with chocks.
- Step 9Loosen the wheel hub bolt. Use drive 12-point socket #24. Use a tap wrench.
- Step 10Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
- Step 11Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
- Step 12Unscrew the wheel bolts.AUTODOC recommends:Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Passat B6 3C Variant
- Step 13Remove the wheel.
- Step 14Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 15Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 16Remove the stabilizer rod.
- Step 17Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut. Use a crowbar.
- Step 18Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 19Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #14. Use a tap wrench. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 20Remove the fastening bolt. Use drive 12-point socket #24.
- Step 21Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 22Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 23Disconnect the ball joint from the arm. Use a crowbar.
- Step 24Remove the drive shaft. Use a pin punch.Replacement: suspension strut – Passat 3C5. Tip:Make sure that the drive shaft is not unloaded (when the car is jacked).
- Step 25Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
- Step 26Remove the fastening bolt.
- Step 27Release 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 28Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 29Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
- Step 30Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.AUTODOC recommends:Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Passat Variant B6Step 31Remove the suspension strut.Step 32Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.Replacement: suspension strut – Passat B6 3C Variant. Tip from AUTODOC: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 33Compress the spring.
- Step 34Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 35Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 36Remove the top strut mount.
- Step 37Release the coil spring.
- Step 38Remove the spring.
- Step 39Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.AUTODOC recommends:Replacement: suspension strut – VW Passat 3C5. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
- Step 40Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.Replacement: suspension strut – VW Passat 3C5. AUTODOC recommends:Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
- Step 41Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
- Step 42Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
- Step 43Install the spring on the shock absorber.
- Step 44Compress the spring.Step 45Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
- Step 46Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #19. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.Replacement: suspension strut – VW Passat 3C B6 Variant. AUTODOC experts recommend:Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
- Step 47Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
- Step 48Decompress the spring.
- Step 49Remove the assembled shock strut.
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