TY for the nice comment! I coincidentally just had to do this job again because the shock bearing failed causing the spring to break. Having done this job twice on this car, here are the latest tips i can offer: 1) replace everything while you have it apart, not just the strut like I show in this video, 2) get an alignment afterwards, 3) if you choose to replace the axle, be sure to buy or make an axle puller before you start, 4) treat all fasteners with penetrating oil at least once at least a day in advance, 5) make your own spreader tool out of a 1/2" to 3/8" socket adaptor. Use an angle grinder to shave down the high points of the 3/8" side until it fits effectively in the collar and more-importantly stays in the collar while you hammer it loose or wiggle it back into place.
that was the best video ever on how to i did it without the video up to the wedge trick u showed me great .it works perfect please send me a link to anyother rabbit videos thank u so much cheers.pete
Pete Higgins TY for the nice comment! Here's a link to my VW Golf/Rabbit playlist. VW Golf/Rabbit/Mk5 (2004-2008): th-cam.com/play/PLP7V88DSkOz4W0ODwV-BN7GCTF9QnWhCb.html
great instructional video. camera angles are awesome and narration is clear and concise. one question: where can I get a pair of those sweet ass garage overalls?! I need a pair BAD!
Good point. In retrospect, I wish I would've changed the ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar linkage, dust boot, bump stop, and upper bearing while I had everything apart too. I wound up doing this job again last week because one of the upper bearings failed and caused the spring to crack. This job is such a PITA that you may as well replace everything while you are down there and...to your point...get a pro alignment done after you've got all of the new components installed. TY!
I actually replaced the suspension on this car with those exact same Rock Auto parts last year after an accident cracked the spring on the strits installed in this video. So far they are working great and I can't complain about the $75 price tag.
@@hanoihancock I'm looking to go with a complete strut kit after the recommendation from my mechanic and seeing that if I'm smart, I should replace the bearing and coil spring anyways. Are the FCS struts still working great? There doesn't seem to be a lot of options like KYB in the strut plus kits for these cars.
Thanks for posting .I did this on my 2005 Toyota Matrix . No need to disconnect the axel and ball joint . Now I have to do it on my 2008 Rabbit - both springs are broken on the bottom - shocks a fine . It looks like more trouble :) . Can you do it without disconnecting the axel at list? Why do you need new axel bolt and collar bolts ? Can you reuse them with Loctite ?
I don't see any way to get enough room to install new struts on this car without removing the Axle. Maybe if you compressed the spring, installed, and then removed the spring compressors? All of the bolts are designed to be one-time-use (stretch when torqued to spec). I doubt they'd fail immediately if you reused them, but...it's no more work to use a new bolt, and they're cheap, so why not follow factory recommendations? If I were to reuse the bolts, I definitely wouldn't use Loctite. The torque specs would be thrown off.
Like any car, it has it's share of issues. Humble Mechanic has a nice video that shows 5 common failures. th-cam.com/video/aLzL-43ddHg/w-d-xo.html Still, I'm happy with mine too.
i have a 07 rabbit with 142k now, got it with 125k, and when i say i street race through corners with this thing i mean it. complete stock everything, from factory and its held up to what everyone says they dont. even on shitee tie rods, control arms, even axels mines still rippin. maybe thats me and my car just allows my driving lol even put in a beanfield at 30-40mph and reversed right back out in 2inchs of mud lmao. the 4.o of hatchbacks
lana antonoff A garage will probably charge around $350 to put in a cheapo replacement part that will fail in 2 or 3 years. If you request a premium part like a remanufactured axle from Raxles, tack another $100 on to the $350 for a total of $450.
This procedure may be similar on 2003-2009 Golfs and Rabbits which make up the 5th generation or "MkV". Because I don't own each MkV model I can't say with 100% confidence that this procedure will work on other years or other models. The Eos and Touran also shared the same MkV platform.
no way, cv axles bolt needs a special torque about 200nm+180° turn for hex or 12point WITHOUT ribs (in your case) and i know this cheap wrench torque cant do this, no offense. Instead you need 2 news bolt 12 point WITH ribs who only need 70nm+90° turn. edit: ahah my bad good job. i wasnt even listening.
@@hanoihancock Okay thank you. Also, I went to pick up some axle bolts from my local VW store for my 2007 rabbit but the bolt head isn't a hexagonal pattern, but a 12 point pattern. Should I use the new ones I picked up if they fit?
Oops! I should've watched a few more minutes to realize that I picked up the exact same bolts as the new ones you put in place. My bad! Also, do you still vaguely remember what the torque specs were for the axle bolt, 3 bolts at the bottom, the knuckle bolt, and the steering tie rod bolt?
This man deserves all the praise, very efficient and basically the only one doing actual videos on this Rabbit.
TY for the nice comment! I coincidentally just had to do this job again because the shock bearing failed causing the spring to break. Having done this job twice on this car, here are the latest tips i can offer: 1) replace everything while you have it apart, not just the strut like I show in this video, 2) get an alignment afterwards, 3) if you choose to replace the axle, be sure to buy or make an axle puller before you start, 4) treat all fasteners with penetrating oil at least once at least a day in advance, 5) make your own spreader tool out of a 1/2" to 3/8" socket adaptor. Use an angle grinder to shave down the high points of the 3/8" side until it fits effectively in the collar and more-importantly stays in the collar while you hammer it loose or wiggle it back into place.
Was able to replace my struts because of your excellent video, Thank You!
TY for the nice comment!
Smart dude! he knows what he's doing.
TY for the nice comment!
This is excellent. Thank you.
TY for the nice comment!
make more videos, i love it no fluff just what to do
@@itsahudak9196 TY for the nice comment!
Was looking for a video for replacing springs. This is awesome. Thank you so much. Very detailed and to the point.
Timur S TY for the nice comment!
Excellent explanation, convinced me to pay someone else to do this for me.
Glad to be of service...even if it didn't result in you doing the work. I've done this job on this car twice now. It truly is a PITA.
that was the best video ever on how to i did it without the video up to the wedge trick u showed me great .it works perfect please send me a link to anyother rabbit videos thank u so much cheers.pete
Pete Higgins TY for the nice comment! Here's a link to my VW Golf/Rabbit playlist. VW Golf/Rabbit/Mk5 (2004-2008): th-cam.com/play/PLP7V88DSkOz4W0ODwV-BN7GCTF9QnWhCb.html
great instructional video. camera angles are awesome and narration is clear and concise. one question: where can I get a pair of those sweet ass garage overalls?! I need a pair BAD!
LOL! TY for the nice comments! I think my coveralls are from Blain's Farm & Fleet...or Mill's Fleet Farm...can't remember.
GREAT VIDEO THANK YOU!
NP!
Nice video. Very thorough.
TY for the nice comment!
Hey man love the videos. Do you have, or know of any good vids for coolant heater installation or anything similar? Cold up here in Canada.
Thanks!
Front alignment too bro,, always a good idea. Im sure it will change once you move the ball joint
Good point. In retrospect, I wish I would've changed the ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar linkage, dust boot, bump stop, and upper bearing while I had everything apart too. I wound up doing this job again last week because one of the upper bearings failed and caused the spring to crack. This job is such a PITA that you may as well replace everything while you are down there and...to your point...get a pro alignment done after you've got all of the new components installed. TY!
any clue how to replace an axel shaft seal?
great video
MeVsMe TY for the nice comment!
do have video to change brake :)
Are both struts the same (universal) or they are left and right ? I got two complete struts FCS 3335576 from Rock auto and they are the same.
Yup. They are the same...no left/right versions.
I actually replaced the suspension on this car with those exact same Rock Auto parts last year after an accident cracked the spring on the strits installed in this video. So far they are working great and I can't complain about the $75 price tag.
@@hanoihancock I'm looking to go with a complete strut kit after the recommendation from my mechanic and seeing that if I'm smart, I should replace the bearing and coil spring anyways. Are the FCS struts still working great? There doesn't seem to be a lot of options like KYB in the strut plus kits for these cars.
@@bigwetbutt Yup. The FCS struts are still going strong.
@@hanoihancock Good to know, they are cheap enough, but the job looks annoying.
Thanks for posting .I did this on my 2005 Toyota Matrix . No need to disconnect the axel and ball joint . Now I have to do it on my 2008 Rabbit - both springs are broken on the bottom - shocks a fine . It looks like more trouble :) . Can you do it without disconnecting the axel at list? Why do you need new axel bolt and collar bolts ? Can you reuse them with Loctite ?
I don't see any way to get enough room to install new struts on this car without removing the Axle. Maybe if you compressed the spring, installed, and then removed the spring compressors? All of the bolts are designed to be one-time-use (stretch when torqued to spec). I doubt they'd fail immediately if you reused them, but...it's no more work to use a new bolt, and they're cheap, so why not follow factory recommendations? If I were to reuse the bolts, I definitely wouldn't use Loctite. The torque specs would be thrown off.
@@hanoihancock Thank for the knowledge.
I found one video- without removing the axel. Its not the best quality but very helpful as well.th-cam.com/video/M-VzZELFy_o/w-d-xo.html
It look like this was for the City Jetta . Anyhow- Ill try . If not Il have to buy bolts and torque wrench :)
ok i own 2.5 standard ... i this as much of a great car as I think it is ... i love mine
Like any car, it has it's share of issues. Humble Mechanic has a nice video that shows 5 common failures. th-cam.com/video/aLzL-43ddHg/w-d-xo.html Still, I'm happy with mine too.
i have a 07 rabbit with 142k now, got it with 125k, and when i say i street race through corners with this thing i mean it. complete stock everything, from factory and its held up to what everyone says they dont. even on shitee tie rods, control arms, even axels mines still rippin. maybe thats me and my car just allows my driving lol even put in a beanfield at 30-40mph and reversed right back out in 2inchs of mud lmao. the 4.o of hatchbacks
How much does it coast fix/replace an axle. Got an accident and my right front side of my 2007 rabbit is bent :(
lana antonoff A garage will probably charge around $350 to put in a cheapo replacement part that will fail in 2 or 3 years. If you request a premium part like a remanufactured axle from Raxles, tack another $100 on to the $350 for a total of $450.
Dropping the sway bar link is plenty to swap these out no reason to take all extras off
what kind of struts did you use? O.e.m or aftermarket?
Parts and part #'s from Partsgeek.com below.
2008 Volkswagen Jetta Bilstein Strut Assembly - Front
Bilstein W0133-1926415
2008 Volkswagen Rabbit Bilstein Shock Absorber - Rear
Bilstein W0133-1951733
Why not the 2009?
This procedure may be similar on 2003-2009 Golfs and Rabbits which make up the 5th generation or "MkV". Because I don't own each MkV model I can't say with 100% confidence that this procedure will work on other years or other models. The Eos and Touran also shared the same MkV platform.
no way, cv axles bolt needs a special torque about 200nm+180° turn for hex or 12point WITHOUT ribs (in your case) and i know this cheap wrench torque cant do this, no offense. Instead you need 2 news bolt 12 point WITH ribs who only need 70nm+90° turn.
edit: ahah my bad good job. i wasnt even listening.
a man who admits his mistake i respect.
Are the axle bolts really one time use or can I get away with reusing them?
They're really one-time use. I mean. If you re-use the original, I suspect it won't fail immediately, but when it does, it will be catastrophic.
@@hanoihancock Okay thank you. Also, I went to pick up some axle bolts from my local VW store for my 2007 rabbit but the bolt head isn't a hexagonal pattern, but a 12 point pattern. Should I use the new ones I picked up if they fit?
Oops! I should've watched a few more minutes to realize that I picked up the exact same bolts as the new ones you put in place. My bad! Also, do you still vaguely remember what the torque specs were for the axle bolt, 3 bolts at the bottom, the knuckle bolt, and the steering tie rod bolt?
@@krystian2978 Both work, but...I believe the torque spec is different depending on hex or 12-point, so double-check that.
More I watch videos on how to do it more complicated it gets I don’t know why