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How to change front suspension strut on VW Polo 9N – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 16V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.9 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 16V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.2 12V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.9 SDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.2, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 16V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 FSI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.9 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.8 GTI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.6 16V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.2, VW POLO (9N_) 1.2 12V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 16V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.9 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 16V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.2 12V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.9 SDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.2, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 16V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 FSI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.9 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 TDI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.8 GTI, VW POLO (9N_) 1.6 16V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.2, VW POLO (9N_) 1.2 12V, VW POLO (9N_) 1.4 … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change a front shock strut on VW POLO 4 (9N) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for POLO (9N_) and other VW models
Shock absorber
Alternative products

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
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 9N. 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 Polo 9N – should be done with the engine switched off.
Carry out replacement in the following order:
- Step 1Open the bonnet.
- Step 2Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
- Step 3Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 4Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 5Secure the wheels with chocks.
- Step 6Unscrew the hub lock nut. Use 12-point socket No.30. Use a tap wrench.
- Step 7Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
- Step 8Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
- Step 9Unscrew the wheel bolts.Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 9N. Tip:To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
- Step 10Remove the wheel.
- Step 11Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 12Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 13Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 14Detach the brake hose from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #12.
- Step 15Unscrew 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 16Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.AUTODOC recommends:Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 9N. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.Wear protective goggles.
- Step 17Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #13. Use a tap wrench.
- Step 18Disconnect the spherical joint from the arm.
- Step 19Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use 12-point socket No.30.Step 20Remove the drive shaft. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.Step 21Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
- Step 22Remove the fastening bolt.
- Step 23Release 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 24Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
- Step 25Unscrew the upper fastening of the shock absorber strut.AUTODOC recommends:VW Polo 9N – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
- Step 26Remove the suspension strut.
- Step 27Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 9N. 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 28Compress the spring.
- Step 29Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 30Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 31Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.
- Step 32Release the coil spring.
- Step 33Remove the spring.
- Step 34Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.AUTODOC recommends:Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 9N. 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 35Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
- Step 36Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
- Step 37Install the spring on the shock absorber.
- Step 38Compress the spring.
- Step 39Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
- Step 40Tighten 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 Polo 9N. AUTODOC experts recommend:Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
- Step 41Decompress the spring.
- Step 42Remove the assembled shock strut.
- Step 43Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
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