Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 55 1.3, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 75 1.6, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 45 1.0, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 64 1.9 D, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 55 1.4, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 60 1.4, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 100 1.4 16V, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 60 1.7 SDI, VW Polo Hatchback (6N1) 64 1.9 SDI … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a rear shock strut on VW POLO 6n1 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Polo Hatchback (6N1) and other VW models

Shock absorber

        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Petrol (55 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Petrol (75 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Petrol (45 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Diesel (64 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Petrol (55 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Petrol (60 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Petrol (100 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Diesel (60 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Polo III Hatchback (6N1) Diesel (64 hp)

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Tools you need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Combination spanner #16
                      
                        Combination spanner #17
                      
                        Drive socket # 7
                      
                        Drive socket # 16
                      
                        Drive socket # 17
                      
                        Torx bit T20
                      
                        Shock absorber socket DD#5,2
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. 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.
Please note: all work on the car – VW Polo 6N1 – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

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 fastener of the boot side lining.
Step 4

Detach the boot side lining.
Step 5

Fold down the backrests of the rear seats.
Step 6

Unscrew the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use Torx T20. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Remove the side plastic cover.
Step 8

Remove the shock strut mount cap.
Step 9

Clean the upper fastener of the suspension strut mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 10

Unscrew the top fastener of the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a shock absorber socket DD№5,2. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Unscrew the top fastener of the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket DD№5,2. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 13

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 14

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 15

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Polo 6N1
Step 16

Remove the wheel.
Step 17

Support the rear suspension beam. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 18

Clean the lower fastener of the suspension strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Unscrew the lower fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a tap wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Polo 6N1 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 20

Remove the support from under the rear axle beam.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Polo 6N1 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 21

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 22

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 23

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Professionals recommend:
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 24

Compress the spring.
Step 25

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 26

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket DD№5,2. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 27

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 28

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 29

Release the coil spring.
Step 30

Remove the spring.
Step 31

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 32

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 33

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 34

Compress the spring.
Step 35

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 36

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 37

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket DD№5,2. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.

AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 38

Decompress the spring.
Step 39

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 40

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 41

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 42

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Polo 6N1 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 43

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 44

Support the rear suspension beam. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 45

Tighten the lower fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 46

Remove the mounting from under the rear axle beam.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Polo 6N1. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 47

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 48

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 49

Treat the surface where the wheel rim contacts the brake drum. Use copper grease.
Step 50

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. VW Polo 6N1
Step 51

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 52

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 53

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 54

Tighten the top fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket DD№5,2. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.
Step 55

Tighten the top fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a shock absorber socket DD№5,2. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.
Step 56

Treat the upper fastener of the suspension strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 57

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 58

Install the side plastic panel.
Step 59

Screw the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use Torx T20. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 60

Attach the side lining of the boot.
Step 61

Screw in the fastener of the boot side lining.

Step 62

Return the seat to its original position.
Step 63

Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 64

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.

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