Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) 2.5, VW Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) 2.0 TSI, VW Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) 2.0 TFSI, VW Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) 2.0 TDI, VW Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) 1.6 TDI, VW Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) 1.4 TSI, VW Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) 1.2 TSI … 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 Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) and other VW models

Shock absorber

        Shock absorber for Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) Petrol (105 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) Petrol (160 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) Diesel (105 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) Diesel (140 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) Petrol (200 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) Petrol (210 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Beetle Convertible (5C7, 5C8) Petrol (170 hp)

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). Tools you might need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #14
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Drive socket # 16 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Drive socket # 21 
                      
                        Torx bit T25
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Shock absorber socket DD№5
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Vice
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). AUTODOC recommends:

Both shock absorbers of the rear suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock absorbers of the rear suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.

Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Make a mark on the camber adjustment bolt.
Step 8

Unscrew the arm fastening to the beam. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 9

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 10

Unscrew the fastener connecting the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Remove the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar.
Step 12

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 13

Remove the spring.
Step 14

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 15

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Unscrew the lower fasteners of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17

Clean the fasteners of the locker. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 18

Unscrew the wheel arch cover fasteners. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 19

Remove the wheel arch cover.
Step 20

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7)
Step 22

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 23

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 24

Remove the protective cap of the shock absorber mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 25

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 26

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD#5. Use a drive socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 27

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). 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 28

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 29

Screw the shock strut piston rod upper fastening. Use a combination spanner #14. Use a shock absorber socket DD#5. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 30

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 31

Treat the shock absorber rod fastener. Use copper grease.
Step 32

Install the protective shock absorber mounting cap.
Step 33

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 34

Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and secure it.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). Tip:
To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber cautiously tight when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 35

Screw the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #16.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). Tip from AUTODOC:
Install the shock absorber mount using the center hole as a guide.
Step 36

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.+45°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 37

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 38

Install the wheel arch cover to its mounting seat.
Step 39

Install and tighten the wheel arch cover fasteners. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 40

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 41

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 42

Support the stub axle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 43

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 180 Nm torque.
Step 44

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 45

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 46

Clean the coil spring mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 47

Install the coil spring together with the rubber mounts into the mounting seats.
Step 48

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack. Use a crowbar.
Step 49

Install the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar.
Step 50

Screw in the fastener connecting the control arm to the rear subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 51

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7) – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 52

Support the stub axle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 53

Tighten the arm fastening to the beam. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 95 Nm torque.
Step 54

Tighten the fasteners connecting the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 55

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 56

Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 57

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 58

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – VW BEETLE Convertible (5C7). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 59

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 60

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 61

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 120 nm torque.

Step 62

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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