Volkswagen Passat TDI 1997
Strut Job
By Mark Seltzer


Work Area

Car is jacked up.and on jack stand.

tire has been removed. I have used jackto keep the wheel upfrom falling when the shock is removed

Prep for removal.

Removal of bolt.
It isn't a big deal removing with a torx wrench.
Replacing the bolt should be done with caution and a "special tool" since you want to tighten and prevent the inner shaft from moving.
To do this I used an allen wrench with an 18mm socket and a vice grip around the socket.

Remove the bottom two bolts torx wrench and socket.I needed to use a blow torch to losten the bolt.

Removed shock.

Shock off car

Use a spring compressor to remove spring. you don't want to loosten with preasure on the strut.

Tighten the spring like so. I used a 3/4th socket here.

I haven't shown the process for putting the spring on the new shock, but its basically the reverse.

Tighten the bolts. and you are good to go.

Here are the four bad struts.

Car is back in business. :w