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) 1.6, 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, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 SDI … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

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

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

Coil spring

        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Diesel (75 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Diesel (90 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (75 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (75 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (90 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (60 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (101 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Diesel (110 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Diesel (64 hp)

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. Tools you'll 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: coil springs – VW Golf 3. Tip from AUTODOC:

Both coil springs of the rear suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right coil springs of the rear suspension.
Please note: all work on the car – VW Golf 3 – 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 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.

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
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.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Golf 3 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing 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.

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. 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 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: coil springs – 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

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 28

Install the dust boot and bump stop on the shock absorber.
Step 29

Compress the spring.
Step 30

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 31

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: coil springs – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 32

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 33

Decompress the spring.
Step 34

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 35

Treat the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 36

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 37

Support the rear suspension beam. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 38

Install the fastening bolt.

Step 39

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 40

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a tap wrench.
Step 41

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 42

Remove the mounting from under the rear axle beam.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Golf 3 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 43

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 44

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 45

Treat the surface where the wheel rim contacts the brake drum. Use copper grease.
Step 46

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 47

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 48

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 49

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 50

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 51

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 52

Install the side plastic panel.
Step 53

Screw the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 54

Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 55

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.

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