Jetta Project Car: Front Strut Replacement

In this video, I'm replacing the front struts in the Jetta. I found a couple shortcuts to make the job easier. And I made a little friend along the way.
If you liked the video, please leave a comment, or a rating. Not only does it help the channel, but it also helps you see more of the content you enjoy. 👍
If you like TDI Volkswagens, or VWs in general, stay tuned! I have more videos on the way.
This video uses royalty-free music, performed by XTaKeRuX and The Mini Vandals.
#mkIV #ALH #TDI #mk4

[@michaelblacktree]

This video was REALLY delayed! Work was busy, best friend in the hospital, shipping delays on parts... all kinds of fun stuff.

[@mry82]

"I made a rhyme" lol :) Hope your friend is alright!

[@michaelblacktree]

I scared him off before I got in the car. But here in Florida, those little lizards are everywhere!

[@cecilkindle6991]

Great videos, super helpful. Your filming style is one of the best. To the point, nicely spoken, excellent tips, torque specs and the ending of how it works now is the icing on the cake! Love the lizard intros.

[@michaelblacktree]

thanks!

[@claytonalexander4467]

If only everybody filmed like this guy.

[@michaelblacktree]

Hopefully some people can film better. Because I'm a novice. But thanks for the compliment.

[@92MJ_Berserker]

Detailed to the point with no unrelated filler material. I appreciate it. I've got a 04 Jetta coming in for some side work I'm doing and I feel much more confident knowing these tips/tricks. bonus points for the torque specs. well job sir.

[@michaelblacktree]

thanks!

[@bumpn86civic]

Thank you!!! I have been refreshing my old 03 gti vrs and the strut kit I got has deeper top bushings so it sat lower in the top hat! I've been searching for anyone else that had that xp and your note about the dust covers not fitting is exactly what I encountered. Great video thx again!

[@markschlechte6106]

Who can't relate to the comment about 'love it how and when a plan comes together', thanks for putting this up with clear steps and commentary. 👍👍

[@GenX-Gemini]

“I pity the fool” that can’t! 🤣

[@williamriedel1686]

Well done video, most of the other videos on this topic are vague about the specific difficulties of the right side. Thanks friend.

[@michaelblacktree]

Thanks for the compliment. It seems to be a common theme in YT videos. They make it look easier than it really is. I like to show my struggles, so maybe it'll help you.

[@musicologyfacts]

Awesome Video! This is exactly what I was looking for and the way you presented it was better than any video I saw. I have never replaced struts before. Do you have to have an alignment afterwards?

[@michaelblacktree]

Yeah, it'll need an alignment afterward.

[@davidriddle2891]

Great video, very useful. I just put Bilstein B4s on my son's 2003 Jetta MX4. I borrowed spring compressors from Advanced Auto since I wasn't installing full strut assemblies. The driver's side came off without issue (didn't have to remove anything other than the pinch bolt and sway bar link as your video showed). That passanger side axle definitely gets in the way, hits the frame way before you want it to; you just can't get the knuckle low enought. I decided to use the spring compressors on the passanger side before removing the strut assembly. Capturing 4 loops of the spring on each side compressed the spring enough to easily get the strut off without removing anything other than the pinch bolt and sway bar link. I just left the springs compressed on to reinstall which also made it an easy fit (although the new strut was significatly harder to compress than the old one; no doubt they needed to be replaced). I used many of your tips; thanks for the help.

[@Incindio13]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@chrstphrr]

Chock full of tips. I've done these a few times and you noted all the important parts with still photos, too. One thing I noticed -- the hub carriers had two styles, only noticeable in the bore where the strut fits into it -- one style is solid, in full contact with the strut, another is hollowed in the middle with two bands of contact top and bottom. The carriers with the solid style bore are much more stubborn to take off and go on, so use of a spreader tool (or a "spreader tool") and lube are *essential* for reassembly.

[@michaelblacktree]

That's interesting. The hub carriers on my car have the hollow part in the middle.

[@pafiro]

Redoing the whole front end of my 03 tdi, some useful tips in here! Thanks!

[@cr69w]

I’m hoping this works with my 2013 vw Jetta but great video overall! Cheers!

[@GenX-Gemini]

Excellent video!! Great information- clear, precise and no fluff to make it longer than it needs to be. Good job!! 👏

[@michaelblacktree]

thanks!

[@GenX-Gemini]

@@michaelblacktree what quick struts did you use? Where did you get them? Thanks for your time!

[@jeff0rapp]

Thank you for including the details! This helped a lot.

[@michaelblacktree]

happy to help

[@williamcox2996]

good job have 02 golf tdi.....getting old strut out of nuckle was a nightmare passenger side...driver side not bad...thx

[@billrbca]

great video, your manner of presentation is a great, showing each step over narrating rather that talking while wrenching

[@michaelblacktree]

Thanks for the compliment. This is something I often think about. Some people complain about voice-overs. They want the "talking while working" experience. But some people prefer the voice-overs because the narration is better. I try to strike a balance between the two.

[@stever4375]

great video 👍

[@michaelblacktree]

thanks!

[@la1negrita]

Thanks great tutorial 👍🏽 👌🏾 😀

[@1menwolfpack550]

So do to a fracture on my toe I paid a local mechanic to do this for me. Lower control arms and shock and struts. To be honest after this was done the car didn’t change a bit it felt as if nothing was replaced . The only thing I didn’t told him to change were the outer tie rods which need to be replaced. Could this be why the car feels the same way as before changing only the lower control arms, shocks and struts?

[@5Travelers_]

nice video I never needed that special tool 😅

[@tyueda4285]

One thing to note about this having just one this. The video mentions that the drive axle should be removed from the transmission, however all that NEEDS to happen is the drive axle coming apart from the wheel hub/knuckle/carrier what have you, which is a lot simpler than removing the axle from the transmission.

[@michaelblacktree]

I decided I would rather detach it from the transmission. But you can do what you want.

[@tyueda4285]

@@michaelblacktree right right. What I'm getting at is that you can easily do this job and just remove the 30mm 12point axle nut from the wheel rather than have to go through the pain of removing all 6 triple square nuts on the transmission side of the axle. Again, do it however you want, but boy do I avoid having to remove those axle nuts like the plague. :)

[@ichewtoast111]

nice

[@michaelblacktree]

thanks!

[@johnlaw7139]

I tried the 3/8 to 1/4 adapter and it wouldn’t fit even tried beating it in with a hammer😅 I ordered the tool:(

[@michaelblacktree]

sorry to hear that

[@williamcox2996]

have video on egr replacement ??

[@michaelblacktree]

Probably not. I think I replaced the EGR before I started doing repair videos.

[@gigadongle]

Jetta City

[@michaelblacktree]

I installed a fender liner from a City Jetta, to help cool the intercooler. I also put a fan in there. It does a great job of keeping the intake air temp under control.

[@willtoulan]

Do you have a link to the struts you bought?

[@michaelblacktree]

They're stock replacements. I got them from RockAuto.

[@MeepMeep88]

Must be nice working on a car with no rust under their.. lol lucky ass

[@yompyomp1]

Nice video 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾