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How to change front suspension strut on VW Golf 6 – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.6 MultiFuel, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 R 4motion, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.2 TSI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 GTi, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.4, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.6, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.4 TSI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.4 TSI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 TDI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 TDI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 TDI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.6 BiFuel, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 GTi, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.6 TDI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 TDI 4motion, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 TDI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.2 TSI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.0 R 4motion, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.6 TDI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 1.8 TSI, VW GOLF VI (5K1) Blue E-Motion, VW GOLF VI (5K1) 2.5 … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on VW GOLF 6 (5K1) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for GOLF VI (5K1) and other VW models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      12-point socket # 24
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      XZN socket bit # 6 
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Flat chisel
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. 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 6. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 3

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 4

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 5

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 6

Remove the wheel.
Step 7

Remove the hub bearing protection cap.

Please note!
Some cars are not equipped with wheel hub caps.
Step 8

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 9

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 10

Loosen the wheel hub bolt. Use drive 12-point socket #24. Use a tap wrench.
Step 11

Remove the cowl grille seal. Raise the wiper plastic cowl grille.
Step 12

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Golf 6
Step 14

Remove the wheel.
Step 15

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 16

Clean the fasteners connecting the stabiliser link to the shock strut, and those connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use XZN #6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use drive 12-point socket #24.
Step 19

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 21

Disconnect the spherical joint from the arm. Use a crowbar.
Step 22

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 23

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. Tip from AUTODOC:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 24

Remove the drive shaft from the wheel hub.
Step 25

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 26

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 27

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. Professionals recommend:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is not released from load.
Step 28

Unscrew the upper fastening of the shock absorber strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Golf 6
Step 29

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 30

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. 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 31

Compress the spring.
Step 32

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 34

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.
Step 35

Release the coil spring.
Step 36

Remove the spring.
Step 37

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 38

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 39

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 40

Compress the spring.
Step 41

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 42

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 43

Decompress the spring.
Step 44

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 45

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 46

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. VW Golf 6
Step 47

Install and tighten a new bolt of the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 48

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
Step 49

Mount the drive shaft into the wheel hub.
Step 50

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 51

Tighten the ball joint fastening nut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 52

Secure the stabilizer link on the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use XZN #6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 53

Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut. Fasten the brake hose on the strut.
Step 54

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 55

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – VW Golf 6. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 56

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 57

Lower the car.
Step 58

Tighten the shock strut top mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 15 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 59

Install and secure the cowl grille.
Step 60

Tighten the bolt connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use drive 12-point socket #24. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 61

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 62

Install the hub bearing protection cap.
Step 63

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 64

Close the hood.

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