Hello everybody! Car covered 96,000 odd miles now and I've got a knocking in my passenger side shock absorber so am looking to replace the pair.

Looking in a parts book we have there are only parts for the normal models listed, ie, the vRS isn't listed specifically. So can anyone in the know or with experience confirm that the part number 6Q0 413 031 BJ (Shock Absorber - Front) is used by both the normal 1.9TDI hatchback AND the vRS?

Thanks in advance!

Part numbers on ETKA only differ in the last letter and this is probably because the vRS is a later model.

It doesn't even differ between MPI/SDI etc so I would be confident to say the shocks would be fine to use off a TDI - Obviously not the springs.

That's good news for me selling my Koni FSD's...

Part numbers on ETKA only differ in the last letter and this is probably because the vRS is a later model.

It doesn't even differ between MPI/SDI etc so I would be confident to say the shocks would be fine to use off a TDI - Obviously not the springs.

Thanks Jason!

We're buying new but just wanted to make sure that the part number was right! I personally think getting second hand shocks is a false economy, especially when the RRP of these items is about £40 a side. £80/£100 for new front shock absorbers is completely reasonable and in fact pleasantly cheap if you ask me!

Edited 5 December, 201015 yr by yegnold

The shock absorbers are unique to the vrs,its classed as having "sports" suspension from the factory,not many companys list a seperate shocker for it,i got my Boge/Sachs ones from GSF at Newcastle,think they were around £32 for the rears & £45 for the fronts each.

I've gotta knock... How do you know when a shock's past its best, because I rammed the side in question up a kerb once.. wonder if it's prematurely aged it (70k) and that's the knock I'm getting.. Hmmm

The MoT test doesn't look at noises, so I don't know how 'terminal' knocking actually is:

http://www.ukmot.com/MOT%20test/Shock%20Absorbers.asp

To answer my own question, The guy at TPS said that the vRS ones are indeed different (?!); pleasantly surprised though in that they were actually cheaper than the standard ones (explain that...!)

ap0gee sir, as well as knocking and a bit of free play in the passenger side one, my car bounces very very slightly a second time after the return from the push down when bouncing the car (on both sides). Compared to the parent's Limited Edition vRS, which doesn't bounce at all after the return from the push down. Can only assume that the shocks are tired and need replacing anyway. They have after all done 96k on country roads that aren't the smoothest in the world...

Seems fair enough, Ed - I got new springs AND dampers at around 80k for that reason - I would have just got springs otherwise...