Volkswagen Golf / Golf GTI / Golf Variant. Manual - part 816

– Remove the bolts -1- for upper strut mount and remove shock

absorber mount.

Installing

– Position the suspension strut so that the arrows -1- are always

inside.

– One of the two arrows -1- on the spring plate -2- must point in

the direction of travel.

– Insert the suspension strut and fasten the bolts -1- to the body.

– Place the -VAS6931- under the -T10149- and secure the

wheel bearing housing.

– Untie the wheel bearing housing from the subframe.

– Remove the nuts -arrows-.
– Remove the wheel bearing housing with the ball joint from the

control arm.

– Lower the wheel bearing housing -1- using the -VAS6931- in

the direction of the -arrow-.

– Push the wheel bearing housing with the -VAS6931- upward

and install it on the suspension strut at the same time.

– Re-bolt the ball joint to the control arm and push the wheel

bearing housing upward again until the end position on the

suspension strut is reached.

– Remove the -3424- .

– Insert the new bolt with tip facing the direction of travel.
– Fasten the wheel bearing housing with the new nut -arrow- to

the suspension strut.

Further installation is the reverse order of removal. Note the fol‐

lowing:

– Tighten nuts -arrows-.

Note

♦

Tighten the nuts -arrows- in curb weight position. Refer to

⇒ “3.8.1 Wheel Bearing in Curb Weight, Lifting Vehicles with

Coil Spring, Front Axle”, page 6

 .

♦

The level control system sensor lever must point toward vehi‐

cle exterior.

♦

The thread on the vehicle level sensor must be installed into

the exterior hole in the control arm. The tab on the vehicle level

sensor bracket must lock into the inner hole in order to assure

a correct installation position.

– For vehicles with a level control system sensor, perform the

basic setting for the wheel damping electronics using the Ve‐

hicle Diagnostic Tester.

Tightening Specifications
♦ Refer to

⇒ “3.1 Overview - Suspension Strut and Upper Control Arm”,

page 44

♦ Refer to

⇒ “4.1 Overview - Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint”,

page 54

♦ Refer to 

⇒ “2.1 Overview - Subframe”, page 16

♦ Refer to

⇒ “2.1 Overview - Front Level Control System Sensor”,

page 277

♦ Refer to 

⇒ “6.2 Overview - Drive Axle”, page 80

♦ Refer to

⇒ “1.1 Wheel Bolt Tightening Specifications”, page 286

3.3

Suspension Strut, Servicing

Special tools and workshop equipment required
♦ Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm - VAG1332-
♦ Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Tensioner - VAG1752/1-
♦ Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Retainer w/Inserts -

VAG1752/4-

♦ Spring Compressor Kit - Strut Clamping Block - VAG1752/20-
♦ Shock Absorber Set - T10001-
♦ Shock Absorber Set - Socket - T10001/5-
♦ Shock Absorber Set - Extension SW7 - T10001/8-
♦ Shock Absorber Set - Reversible Ratchet - T10001/11-
♦ Ratchet (commercially available)
♦ Torque Wrench 1332 Insert - Ring Wrench - 21mm -

VAG1332/7-

Caution

This procedure contains mandatory replaceable parts. Refer

to component overview prior to starting procedure.

Mandatory Replacement Parts
♦ Nut - Shock Absorber
– Remove the suspension strut. Refer to 

⇒ page 45

 .

Removing Spring
– Clamp the Spring Compressor Kit - Strut Clamping Block -

VAG1752/20- -4- in a vise.

– Tighten the suspension strut in the Spring Compressor Kit -

Strut Clamping Block - VAG1752/20- -4-.

– Pretension the coil spring using the Spring Compressor Kit -

Spring Tensioner - VAG1752/1- until the upper axial groove

ball bearing is free.

1 - Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm - VAG1332-
2 - Shock Absorber Set - Extension SW7 - T10001/8-
3 - Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Tensioner - VAG1752/1-
4 - Spring Compressor Kit - Strut Clamping Block -

VAG1752/20-

5 - Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Retainer w/Inserts -

VAG1752/4-

6 - Shock Absorber Set - Socket - T10001/5-
7 - Shock Absorber Set - Reversible Ratchet - T10001/11-

WARNING

First pre-load spring far enough so that tension is relieved on

upper spring plate!

– Make sure the coil spring fits correctly inside the Spring Com‐

pressor Kit - Spring Retainer with Inserts - VAG1752/4-

-arrow-.