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) 1.9 TDI 4motion, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 1.8 4motion, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 2.0, VW Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) 2.3 V5 4motion, 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 a front shock strut on VW GOLF 4 (1J1) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) and other VW models

Shock absorber

        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Diesel (90 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Petrol (100 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Diesel (110 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Diesel (68 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Petrol (75 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Petrol (125 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Golf IV Hatchback (1J1) Diesel (90 hp)

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. Tip:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Combination spanner #22
                      
                        Drive socket # 13 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Drive socket # 21 
                      
                        HEX bit no.H7.
                      
                        12-point socket # 30
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Shock absorber socket
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Flat Screwdriver
                      
                        Pin punch
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Hammer
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. AUTODOC experts recommend:

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.

Step 3

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #22. Use HEX No.H7.
Step 4

Clean the wheel hub fastener. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 5

Loosen the fastener of the driveshaft. Use 12-point socket No.30. Use a tap wrench.
Step 6

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 7

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 8

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 9

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 10

Remove the wheel.
Step 11

Disconnect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable from the shock absorber strut. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 12.1

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle.

Step 12.2

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #13. Use a tap wrench.
Step 14

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use 12-point socket No.30.
Step 15

Treat the splines of the driveshaft CV joint. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Remove the drive shaft. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 17

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 18

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a tap wrench.
Step 19

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 20

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 21

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Golf 4 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 22

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 23

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
VW Golf 4 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 24

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 25

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
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 26

Compress the spring.
Step 27

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 28

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 29

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 30

Release the coil spring.
Step 31

Remove the spring.
Step 32

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. Professionals recommend:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 33

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 34

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 35

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

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 37

Compress the spring.
Step 38

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 39

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 40

Decompress the spring.
Step 41

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 42

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 43

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. VW Golf 4
Step 44

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 45

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 46

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 47

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 48

Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 49

Treat the splines of the driveshaft CV joint. Use copper grease.

Step 50

Mount the drive shaft into the wheel hub.
Step 51

Screw the fasteners of the ball joint. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 52

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 53

Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 54

Screw the nut of the drive shaft. Use 12-point socket No.30. Use a tap wrench.
Step 55

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 56

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 57

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 58

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 4. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 59

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 60

Lower the car.
Step 61

Tighten the drive shaft nut. Use 12-point socket No.30. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 200 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 62

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 63

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a combination spanner #22. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 nm torque.
Step 64

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 65

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 66

Close the hood.

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