How to Install Shocks on a 2001 Beetle
If your road experience is not as smooth as it once was, or you have started to hear thumping noises going over bumps, you may need to replace your shocks or struts. The 2001 Volkswagen Beetle only has shocks in the rear as part of the strut assembly. The MacPherson assembly in the front does not offer shocks as a separate part. If the bounce test only yields a problem in the rear, the shocks may be all you need to change. Installing shocks is simple with the right tools.
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Things You'll Need
- Tire iron
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Coil spring compressor
- Socket wrench set
- Torque wrench
Instructions
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1
Loosen the nuts holding the rear wheels on with a tire iron. Slide a car jack under the rear frame of the car and lift it. Place jack stands under the frame and let the rear end of the car settle on top of the stands.
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2
Remove the nuts holding the rear wheels on and pull the rear wheels off the Beetle. Set them and the nuts aside. Pull the liner in the wheel well out also.
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3
Compress the coil spring in the strut assembly with a spring compressor. Use a socket wrench to loosen and remove the bolts from the upper side of the shock absorber, which is right next to the spring coil. Unbolt the lower side of the shock and pull it out of the wheel well. Note how the shock was oriented so you can replace it with the new one.
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4
Hold the replacement shock in the same place and oriented the same way as the old shock. Hand-tighten the lower bolt. Torque the upper bolts to 35 foot-lbs. and add an extra 45-degree turn to each.
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5
Put the spring coil back in place and remove the compressor from it. Pop the liner back into the wheel well.
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6
Set the rear wheels back on the studs and put the lug nuts on. Torque the lug nuts to 89 foot-lbs.
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7
Lower the rear end of the Beetle with the floor jack, and torque the lower shock absorber bolt to 17 foot-lbs., once it sits completely on the ground.
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Tips & Warnings
Different manufacturers have different instructions for their spring compressors. Follow the instructions for the compressor you use on your coil springs.
References
- Photo Credit yellow car image by JoLin from Fotolia.com
