Hi all,

One of my springs unfortunately snapped on my 2005 1,9tdi and I planned to replace both springs and shocks. Can someone please guide me to how I can do this in the most efficient way?

Thank you.

Ola.

1) Buy a good set of spring compressors, and make sure you understand how to use them.

2) Jack car and support on axle stands.

3) Remove strut.

4) Use spring compressors to release pressure on top mount.

5) Remove top mount and spring.

6) Release old spring from compressors.

7) Place compressors on new spring, and compress until you can refit top mount.

8) Release compressors, ensuring that spring is correctly seated both ends.

9) Reinstall strut.

10) Repeat 2 .. 9 for other side.

11) Drive about 500 miles to settle the springs, then get a full geometry check.

This isn't compusory, but you may with to fit new top swivels at the same time, since you may need to do most of this to replace them anyway.

Hi Ken,

Thanks for input, but the puzzling bit is your point 3. How to remove the strut??

Br.

Ola

Google it mate, i did mine on monday and just had a look for strut removal on mk5 golf and plenty came up.

You need to aware of a few tools u need to have before you start or the car will be in the air with you running about trying to get the right tool -

To open the hub at the bottom and there is a hub spreader tool available which i have in the garage somewhere but couldnt find the thing on monday so used a medium gorilla bar which works just as easily.

You need an m14 spline bit (most sets only go up to m12) and can get 2 which fit a 10mm socket for £3 on fleabay.

The top of the strut you need a 7mm allen key (goes in the centre of the thread, like on control arm and ARB link) and also a 21mm socket spanner as a normal 21mm spanner wont catch it. Now seems simple but it aint cos you cant use a normal 21mm socket as cant get the allen key in and most socket spanners are 20mm and 22mm on the other end. Can possibly use a 21mm spark plug socket as you can put a spanner on the outer edge of it or as i did, dig about the imperial toolbox and found a spanner that was ever so slightly bigger than 21mm, but did the job . There are strut top sockets available but lucky i worked it out.

To remove the axle bolt you might need a 'damn i cant remember the spline socket size sorry' if its a newer car otherwise it will be a large approx 27mm socket.

Other than that fella a 3/8 and 1/2 drive socket set, jack, torx set, couple of allen keys, hammer, wd40 (careful not to get on the discs/pads) will do the job. Give yourself plenty of time as could spend an hour on a part on one side and 10 mins doing it on the other.