Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Passat (A32, A33) 2.0 TDI … 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 Passat (A32, A33) and other VW models

Shock absorber

Shock absorber for Passat NMS (A32, A33) Diesel (140 hp)

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). Tools you need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Combination spanner #21
                      
                        Drive socket # 16 
                      
                        Drive socket # 17 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Drive socket # 21 
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Hammer
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Shock absorber socket DD №6
                      
                        Vice
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). Professionals recommend:

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 PASSAT (A32). 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 PASSAT (A32). 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

Clean the exhaust system fastener. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Remove the exhaust system fastener. Use a crowbar.
Step 12

Remove the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar. Use a hammer.
Step 13

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 14

Take out the spring.
Step 15

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

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #16. Use a tap wrench.
Step 17

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

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock absorber when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 18

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 19

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 20

Remove the protective cap of the shock absorber mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 21

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 22

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 23

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). Tip from AUTODOC:
Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary. Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 24

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 25

Screw the shock strut piston rod upper fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 26

Treat the shock absorber rod fastener. Use copper grease.
Step 27

Install the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.
Step 28

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 29

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 30

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts. VW PASSAT (A32)
Step 31

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 32

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #21. Use a combination spanner #21.
Step 33

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 34

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 180 Nm torque.
Step 35

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW PASSAT (A32) – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 36

Install the coil spring together with the rubber mounts into the mounting seats.
Step 37

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 38

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 39

Install the fastening bolt.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Adjust the position of the alignment bolt according to the mark.
Step 40

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 41

Tighten the fastener connecting the control arm to the rear subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 95 Nm torque.
Step 42

Clean the exhaust system fastener. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 43

Install the exhaust system fastener.
Step 44

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
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: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 47

Install the wheel.

Replacement: shock absorbers – VW PASSAT (A32). AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 48

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

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 nm torque.
Step 50

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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