Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.9 TDI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.6, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.9 TDI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.9 SDI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.4 16V, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.8, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.8 T, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 2.3 V5, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 2.0, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.9 TDI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.6 16V, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.9 TDI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.9 TDI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 2.3 V5, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.9 TDI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.8 T GTI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.6 FSI, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.6 … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock absorber on VW GOLF 4 (1J1) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW Golf 4. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Vice
                    
                      Locking pliers
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW Golf 4. Tip from AUTODOC:

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 Golf 4. 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 Golf 4. Professionals recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6.1

Clean the shock absorber fasteners.

Step 6.2

Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Support the rear suspension beam. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 8

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use a tap wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Golf 4
Step 9

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 10

Remove the mounting from under the rear axle beam.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Golf 4 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 11

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 13

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 14

Remove the protective cap of the shock absorber mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 15

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

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a combination spanner #16. Use locking pliers.
Step 17

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW Golf 4. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 18

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 19

Screw the shock strut piston rod upper fastening. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 20

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 21

Install the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.
Step 22

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23

Treat the shock absorber mounting seats. Use copper grease.
Step 24

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

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW Golf 4. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber cautiously tight when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 25

Screw the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #16.
Step 26

Support the rear suspension beam. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 27

Install the fastening bolt.

Step 28

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21.
Step 29

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 30 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 30

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 40 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 31

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 32

Remove the mounting from under the rear axle beam.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – VW Golf 4. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 33

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 34

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW Golf 4. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 35

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. VW Golf 4
Step 36

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 37

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 nm torque.

Step 38

Remove the jacks and chocks.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Need New Tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) model

Golf 4 tyre size

How to change front suspension strut on VW Golf 4 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 3.31 MB
How to change front coil springs on VW Golf 4 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 3.2 MB
How to change rear coil springs on VW Golf 4 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.61 MB
How to change front brake pads on VW Golf 4 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.64 MB
How to change rear brake pads on VW Golf 4 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.39 MB
How to change rear brake discs on VW Golf 4 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.86 MB

How to change front suspension strut on VW Golf 7 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 4.14 MB
How to change rear shock absorbers on VW Golf 7 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 2.75 MB
How to change front suspension strut on VW Golf 5 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 4.1 MB
How to change rear shock absorbers on VW Golf 5 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 3.28 MB
How to change front suspension strut on VW Golf 6 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 3.49 MB
How to change rear shock absorbers on VW Golf 6 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 2.67 MB

Unlock your car maintenance assistant!

Track expenses, manage logs, schedule replacements, and more.

Cold starts | 5 mistakes that wreck your car

14K views

Published on: 23/10/2025
Why Is the Windscreen Washer Not Spraying? Solution

8K views

Published on: 25/04/2025
5 easy car repairs you can do without a garage visit

6K views

Published on: 09/10/2025
Transform Your Old Engine Valve Cover: Quick Polishing Tips for a Shiny Finish | AUTODOC Tips

13K views

Published on: 30/11/2023