Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 55 1.3, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 75 1.6, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 45 1.0, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 64 1.9 D, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 55 1.4, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 60 1.4, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 100 1.4 16V, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 60 1.7 SDI, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 64 1.9 SDI … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on VW POLO 6n1 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Polo Hatchback (6N1) and other VW models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      Drive socket # 21
                    
                      Drive socket # 30
                    
                      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 Polo 6N1. AUTODOC experts recommend:

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 Polo 6N1 – 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 upper fastener of the suspension strut 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.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Polo 6N1
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

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 12

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 13

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 14

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 15

Unscrew the top fastener of the suspension strut.
Step 16

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 17

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. AUTODOC experts recommend:
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 18

Compress the spring.
Step 19

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 20

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

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 22

Release the coil spring.
Step 23

Remove the spring.
Step 24

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 25

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 26

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 27

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 28

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 29

Compress the spring.
Step 30

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 31

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 32

Decompress the spring.
Step 33

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 34

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 35

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 36

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 37

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.

Step 38

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

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Polo 6N1 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 39

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 40

Screw in 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 41

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 95 Nm torque.
Step 42

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 43

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat the steering knuckle fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 44

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

Step 45

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 46

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 47

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. VW Polo 6N1
Step 48

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 49

Lower the car.
Step 50

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 51

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 52

Tighten the top fasteners of the suspension strut. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 53

Treat the upper fastener of the suspension strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 54

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 55

Close the hood.

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