Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.4, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 D, 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) 2.0, VW GOLF III (1H1) 2.0 GTI 16V, VW GOLF III (1H1) 2.8 VR6, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.6, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 TDI, VW GOLF III (1H1) 1.9 SDI, VW GOLF III (1H1) 2.8 VR6 … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change springs on VW GOLF 3 1H1 Hatchback [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 (64 hp)
      
        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 (115 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Coil spring for Golf III Hatchback (1H1) Petrol (60 hp)

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. Tools you need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner
                      
                        Copper grease
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Drive socket # 10
                      
                        Drive socket # 18
                      
                        Drive socket # 21
                      
                        Drive socket # 22
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

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

Both coil springs of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right coil springs of the front 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

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean the fastener of the bracket that connects the brake hose to the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 7

Unscrew the brake hose fastening bracket from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Remove the bracket from the shock absorber strut.
Step 9

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 10

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Remove the fastening bolts (2 pieces).
Step 12

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 13

Lower the car.
Step 14

Open the bonnet.
Step 15

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

Step 16

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #22. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. VW Golf 3
Step 17

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 18

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. 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 19

Compress the spring.
Step 20

Unscrew the fastener of the shock strut mount.
Step 21

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 22

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 23

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 24

Release the coil spring.

Step 25

Remove the spring.

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

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 27

Compress the spring.
Step 28

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 29

Screw in the fastener of the shock strut mount.
Step 30

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 31

Decompress the spring.

Step 32

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 33

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 34

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 35

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.
Step 36

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 37

Close the hood.
Step 38

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 39

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

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 41

Install the fastening bolts (2 pieces).
Step 42

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 Nm torque.
Step 43

Install the bracket onto the shock absorber strut.
Step 44

Tighten the brake hose fastening bracket to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 45

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

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 47

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: coil springs – VW Golf 3. AUTODOC recommends:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 48

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. VW Golf 3
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 120 nm torque.
Step 51

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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