How to change the shock absorber on a T6

[@michaelgoodwin593]

Just want to say thanks for an excellent video.

[@peterodriguez4642]

Excellent tutorial! Thnx!

[@justkampers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tommalschaert8482]

Hello, thank you for the tutorial, it’s very useful! I see 3 parts on top, a rubber mount, a bearing and a plate, which should I order before the job? Thanks!

[@Stephenpikeman]

Excellent video. I need to replace my broken front spring on my 2018 camper (only done 21K miles (80% motorway) Now I know how. So you don't need a special strut socket and a hex socket / allen key, just a long socket? Regards Stephen Ah, didn't watch it long enough lol.

[@leored79]

For desinstallation, just a Socket will do, especially if you are throwing away. For Installation, you should stop the shock shaft from spinning whilst tightening, which can happen. In this case a 21 mm spanner or better ratchet spanner or, even better, ratchet spanner with a hinged head, will do, with a 7 mm inbus bit to hold the top of the shock shaft....if you cant get enough purchase on the nut on the airbox side, you may have to remove it, which is quickly done....

[@GB-ud5xp]

Great tutorial thank guys. Just I would like to know what is the part the bearing sits on?? Is that necessary or can the bearing fit straight into the spring then the top mount

[@justkampers]

Hi, that's the dust cover between the top of the spring and the bearing, not totally necessary so the bearing can fit directly to the spring.

[@Theshakaarmy]

You don't need to remove the plastic scuttle where the wiper blades are. There are 2 metal panels that unscrew and allow you access to the top mounts. 1 behind the air filter and 1 behind the battery.

[@justkampers]

Hi Rob, you are right. Removing the scuttle makes it easier for access.

[@johnmetrac2898]

Yeah your right I seen so many of there videos on t5/6 front suspension there is 2 inspection panels, no need to remove wipers !!

[@robhamilton5057]

great vid.

[@leored79]

This is basically how VW says to do it on erWin. You could leave the knuckle/brakes on and try to muscle in the new shock assembly from the top / push up from below using a jack..however, there is a danger of getting it wedged if not aligned properly. Also, the bottom of the knuckle may have some surface corrosion on the inside, making it difficult to seat the shock properly (the last cm, where he hit it with a mallet); this happened to me recently whilst installing bilstein B6 (which are a few tenths thicker), the shock would not seat. Problem was the corrosion on the inside, after grinding it down gently with wire disc, went in a treat....

[@justkampers]

Yeah we agree, we did actually clean up the hub before fitting the shock. Well spotted!

[@derekcjohnstone8927]

Hi Great video. I would like to know the workshop time they should charge for this job. I've been quoted £285(inc) labour by my local VW Vancentre. This seems excessive. Where are you? Could you do the job for me?

[@justkampers]

Hi, workshop time can vary, as it's usually a couple of hours per side hope that helps. Unfortunately we are not a commercial garage so would be unable to carry out the work for you. Many Thanks

[@wintrmute]

After swapping in new shock absorbers and new top-mounts, I noticed that there is a small gap between the ~7cm giant rubber-backed washer at the very top of the strut, and the vehicle body. (This is the giant washer that goes under the very top nut on the strut) Is it normal for there to be a few mm gap there? It doesn't seem right to me..

[@justkampers]

Hi, when the van is on the ground it is normal to have a small gap, hope that helps! :)

[@wintrmute]

@@justkampers thanks - that's reassuring!

[@chrissmith6478]

Very helpfull video

[@justkampers]

We're glad we could help!

[@andrewborrell6373]

Alot of amatures put copper slip on brake shoes. makes em feel good. in reality jet washing and winter weather grease gone in secounds.

[@mcjjordan]

Dont use the nut that comes with the new damper - thats just to protect the thread from damage

[@justkampers]

Hi, yes you are quite right we used a new lock nut.

[@MartsTravel]

Thats a T5.1 , not a T6, i know its not the job your doing but those discs need changing too.

[@ShaneMitchinson1]

I take it you didn't watch the video then?

[@MartsTravel]

Yes he said it was a T6 when it isn't.

[@ShaneMitchinson1]

@@MartsTravel he changed the discs at the end