How to tell the back struts are toast...

[Patrick]

Went out and started the car after a gig last night about 1:30 am. Drove home with NO back suspension. Apparently my back struts have worn through and filled up with water.... Both are rock solid.  Glad it wasn't the fronts!  Guess what my project is THIS weekend.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Been there, and it makes things worse when your fronts are worn too, then it just nose bounces after every bump..

thank god its a VW and you can change the rear shocks by hand. the springs are tame enough to not need a spring compressor..

hope that its a mk2.. you can change out both rear shocks in about 32 minutes..

[Patrick]

Yeah, it's a mark 2 but it will take a LITTLE longer than that. Jetta, so you have to deal with the seat. Don't remember if I need my spring compressor or not, got cut down Passat springs...

Front ones don't take much longer when you have a spring compressor.

[R.O.R-2.0]

oh yea, see, when ive taken suspension out, ive either had a stripped out jetta, or a golf/GTI to take it out of.

it might take you 37 minutes then.. lol.

[RabbitJockey]

on my mk1 with bilstein sport struts/shocks and h and r springs i don't use a spring compressor

[theman53]

Is there an easier way to get the top nut off? It would take me an hour just to undo the nut from the top of one. The bottom is easy and I know you don't need a spring compressor. I know I don't have a spring compressor and I have done the rear shocks before.

[lovinthedeez]

Is there an easier way to get the top nut off?

yup, it's called a ratcheting box wrench

[Grey_Smoke]

yup, it's called a ratcheting box wrench

X2

[RabbitJockey]

i reach through the spring and hold the strut shaft, then hit it with an impact

[Patrick]

Normally an impact gun is all you need. I don't remember if I need the compressors on this car or not. It has passat springs in the back, minus a few coils to get the ride height close. I DO remember that full length passat springs require the compressor on this strut.

I've got a different spring in my wife's '91 golf, and I do know that one of the cars still needs a spring compressor. Just don't remember which one.

Mind isn't what it used to be, getting old I guess.

[theman53]

Is there a way to get the spreaker shelf out? I don't see an impact fitting in the space provided.

[DCC]

Is there a way to get the spreaker shelf out? I don't see an impact fitting in the space provided.

Both sides have a series of small 10 mm nuts (3-4 in each side, maybe?). They are a bit tricky to undo, but once undone, you'll have plenty of space to work.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Is there a way to get the spreaker shelf out? I don't see an impact fitting in the space provided.

you dont need an impact on the rear shocks.

only on the front struts. from my experiences atleast..

[RabbitJockey]

im pretty sure there is room for one in a rabbit, u might have to flip the seat up