Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 TD, GTD, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 TDI, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.4, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.6, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.8, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.8, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.4, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.6, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 TDI … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock strut on VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 3 (1H1) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for GOLF III (1H1) and other VW models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

SKSA-0131215 STARK Shock absorber

23,92 GBP

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854S0556 RIDEX Shock absorber

23,92 GBP

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SKSA-0132745 STARK Shock absorber

23,92 GBP

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4010230 KRAFT Shock absorber

25,28 GBP

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SKSA-0131377 STARK Shock absorber

60,81 GBP

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Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Copper grease
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #17
                    
                      Drive socket # 10
                    
                      Drive socket # 17
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Shock absorber socket #DD5,2
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC recommends:

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Open the boot lid.
Step 2

Move the folding shelf and detach it from the retainers. By doing this, you will get access to the side trim plastic panels.
Step 3

Unscrew the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 4

Remove the side plastic cover.
Step 5

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 6

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket #DD5,2. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 8

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 9

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 10

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Golf 3
Step 11

Remove the wheel.
Step 12

Clean the shock strut fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Support the rear suspension beam. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 14

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a tap wrench.
Step 15

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 16

Remove the mounting from under the rear axle beam.

AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 17

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 18

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 19

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

AUTODOC recommends:
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 20

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Compress the spring.
Step 22

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket #DD5,2. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 23

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 24

Release the coil spring.
Step 25

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 26

Remove the spring.
Step 27

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 28

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 29

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 30

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 31

Compress the spring.
Step 32

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 33

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket #DD5,2. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 35 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 34

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

Decompress the spring.
Step 36

Remove the assembled shock strut.

Step 37

Treat the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 38

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 39

Support the rear suspension beam. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 40

Install the fastening bolt.

Step 41

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. VW Golf 3
Step 42

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a tap wrench.
Step 43

Tighten the lower fastening of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 nm torque.
Step 44

Remove the mounting from under the rear axle beam.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 45

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

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 47

Treat the surface where the wheel rim contacts the brake drum. Use copper grease.
Step 48

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 49

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 50

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 110 nm torque.
Step 51

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 52

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket #DD5,2. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 53

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 54

Install the side plastic panel.
Step 55

Screw the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 56

Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 57

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.

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