Disassembling the shock absorber strut (VW Golf 3)

Removal the lower control arm

Completely unscrew the loose shaft nut and remove the washer.

Remove the brake disc from the wheel hub. It is secured with a separate screw.

Press the shaft out of the pivot pin or knock it out with a rubber mallet. If using a press, make sure that the wheel bearing housing is not damaged during this operation.

Remove the nut and screw that secure the wishbone to the underside of the steering knuckle.

Remove the wishbone. If necessary, insert a screwdriver into the slot in the steering knuckle to make it easier to open the steering knuckle.



The method of fastening the transverse lever is shown in the figure. The position of the rubber bushings is also visible here.

Removal the steering knuckle

Remove the nuts from both steering knuckle screws on the underside of the shock absorber.


Carefully knock out the screws. They may be very tight because their rods are pinched. If the screws need to be replaced, remember that they provide the correct wheel alignment.

Insert a screwdriver behind the mounting flange of the wheel bearing housing and press the housing out of the shock absorber.

Immediately check whether the screw threads have been damaged during knocking out. If this has happened, replace the screws, having first measured the camber.

Removal the wheel bearing

Note the ring bolted to the inside of the wheel hub that is associated with the ABS tachometer.



Place the wheel hub complete with bearing housing and mudguard under a press and carefully press out using a suitable press mandrel. If a two-arm puller is available, the surface journal can be clamped in the press wheel hub from the bearing journal.



Unscrew the mudguard.

Remove the snap ring located on the inside of the bearing housing, and then remove the outer snap ring.

Press out the outer bearing ring, positioning the bearing housing (swivel pin) on the press table so that the mounting flange faces upward.



The information is posted on this website (www.VWmanual.ru)

The inner bearing ring remains on the wheel hub; it must be removed using a suitable removal tool.
if necessary, unscrew the anti-lock braking device crown from the wheel hub; this is done only when replacing the wheel crown or hub.

Coil springs and shock absorbers

Using a suitable spring clamp, clamp the spring until all tension in the spring is released.

Remove the nut located in the middle of the upper bearing. This is a splined nut that needs to be removed with a special key (3078). If you cannot get this key, unscrewing the nut can cause serious problems.

Remove the upper shock absorber bearing. You can only replace the entire bearing assembly at once.

Remove the upper spring disc.

Remove the coil springs. There are different groups of tolerances for the dimensions of the springs. The springs themselves are marked with colored stripes. Therefore, when replacing the springs, you must select two of them with the same marking marks. In no case should you install the first springs you come across, since they are designed for a certain engine weight, gearbox, corresponding road stability, etc., parameters that vary for individual models.

Lower the elastic rubber pad from the piston rod of the shock absorber. Pay attention to how it is put on the shock absorber strut, as its ends are different.

Check the operation of the shock absorber. To do this, clamp the lower end in a vice and try to remove and insert the piston rod. The counteraction force should be the same throughout the entire working stroke. If the shock absorber was laid flat, before installation, clamp it in a vice and pump it to remove all the air from it. At the same time, slowly remove the damper and reinsert it until the counteraction becomes uniform. All the air must be released.