Replacing MKV Jetta Rear Coil Springs

It's time for another repair on my TDI that I'm desperately trying to hold together until the Volkswagen announcement.
I noticed one day a loud metal clunk/rattling noise coming from the back of my car. I initially thought it was an impact socket set I keep in the trunk, but after emptying it all out the sound stayed. I decided to do some investigation. When I jacked up the car I found the rear left spring had broken and the rubber isolator perch that sits against the car had fallen off. Thus, a repair was born.
I bought my springs from idparts.com. I was surprised to find that most local auto shops did not carry springs for my car so I pretty much had to buy them online. They're pretty reasonably priced and come in a set of two. It's probably best to replace both sides at the same time.
If you use the method I show in this video this repair requires very minimal tools:
19mm Socket
19mm Combination Wrench
1/2" Torque Wrench
Floor Jack + Stands
Optional: Punches and a Hammer (You could probably improvise something here)
If you have any mechanical inclination at all, don't pay a shop to do this repair. It's extremely simple.
Torque Spec for Lower Control Arm Bolt: 90Nm + 1/4 Turn (I just did 60 lb-ft in the video because I like living on the edge?)
If you have any questions about the procedure or anything else, post in the comments and I'll try to help where I can!

[@bxl181]

Tnx for the video. Successfully replaced broken rear springs on a UK Passat B6 SE estate at considerable saving to VW stealer prices using 'standard' rated springs made by Sachs. Your video seem to suggest you tightened the old bolt to 60Nm, but you also briefly mentioned 56lbft (75Nm) and 90Nm. We originally reused the old bolt and tightened to 60Nm as per your video, but upon rechecking after a week's use and further research, it would appear to be too low. As we had previously noted the nylon insert within the lock nuts were worn, we decided to replace with new nut & bolt bought from VW. We since learned the tightening torque is 90Nm+90degree angle (Golf V, Passat B6 etc) with the new nut & bolt. The 90 degree angle required quite some effort to apply when using a 18" long handled wrench.

[@shawnkennedy9414]

Great video, thanks for posting this. You are really good at giving info and demonstration without over doing it . Hope you do more .

[@disiegfr]

Good video. Getting ready to do this on my 2006 Jetta. The Bentley manual I have says to use a spring compression tool but your way clearly works also. FYI: your comment about tightening the arm while under load: the manual says to return the rear axle to "curb weight position" which it defines as 380mm (14.9") from center of wheel hub to lower edge of wheel well opening. Doing it this way relieves undue stress on the rubber suspension parts, or so it claims. So, use your jack and a tape measure...

[@firworks]

That makes a lot more sense than trying to tighten it with the wheel on it! Thanks for the info.

[@Matt463634]

Does 380mm apply to the GTI as well? (Which has lower factory ride height)

[@curran3112]

4-year-old video but super help full. Thanks for showing everything with great viewing angles

[@Bandicoot9]

08 Jetta Wolfsburg here, my spring snapped in the same exact place down to the mm. It snapped about 15 minutes after parking I heard it happen. First for me. Thanks, very helpful.

[@CharlesReiche]

Broke a spring today, found this video and springs at the dealer. Not the best price but in stock and ready to go. This is easier than doing breaks or an oil change. Thanks for the video.

[@Big_Ben1988]

There's nothing easier than oil change on my wife's Jetta. The oil filter sits right on top of the engine, and there are no plastic covers on the oil pan.

[@sadiebrunick9797]

Thanks for the great video. Great to know I won’t need any specialty tools for this project. Really clear and thorough!

[@vladorlovsky6623]

Great video. Thank you very much! I bought 2 replacements springs for my 2000 Jetta and was going to take it to the shop to have them do it. After watching how simple it is I am going to replace them myself.

[@firworks]

How'd it go? Was it an easy swap? I'm not sure if the 2000 is going to be exactly like this as this video was filmed on a newer Jetta but it's probably a similar process.

[@jamesadelmann4506]

The best video on how to do spring replacement . Thanks, James A.

[@hamilton5071]

This was extremely helpful. I was pissing around with spring compressors today for about 2 hours trying to get them to work and finally gave up. I will try this tomorrow. Thanks!

[@firworks]

It's a pretty simple job to do. However, one warning I wish I had put in the video. Don't try this if you have a tiny trolley style floor jack. Mine is a 4 ton capacity jack that weighs like 105 lbs. Another guy said he did this and it knocked over his jack. I would think any normal size non-travel/portable floor jack will work. Good luck and glad it helped!

[@hamilton5071]

FirworksYT yeah i have a bigger 3 ton jack. Thanks!

[@hamilton5071]

I finally got around to doing this today and your technique worked like a charm. I didn't even have to hammer out the bolt. Just kept spinning it with my impact and it came right out. Thanks again for the the video!

[@DGR33]

Thanks for posting this video. We just discovered my son's 2006 Jetta has a broken rear spring. The is a great help.

[@firworks]

Glad to help! Hopefully it's as easy for you guys as it was for me. I was kinda surprised how quick it went. Only snag I ran into was I accidentally left the pin punch in the arm after driving out the bolt and couldn't figure out why the arm wouldn't drop. Doh!

[@pumper34x]

Excellent video! Straight forward without all the BS extra chatter. Good job👍

[@danunger8959]

Awesome video. Watched a few months back, ordering my springs tonight !

[@firworks]

Good luck! You'll be surprised what an easy repair it is. Just make sure your floor jack is heavy enough that it won't get knocked over as you lower the spring.

[@joeayres795]

Thanks for the video. I really thought i was going to need a new spring compressor for the job.

[@firworks]

Glad it helped! I too was planning to buy a compressor after watching some other videos and then I got the idea to try it that way and it worked!

[@James-fo8rf]

I’m going to test out your video! I need to perform some emergency repairs! Your video was great 👍. But the golf mk5 in the uk required 18mm socket and spanner. 19 mm was too big.

[@rupedog]

After hours faffing trying and failing with spring compressors, so glad to.find this vid. Brilliant. And more detail than autodoc one of same technique....though their newer one the remove the bolt the other end of the arm (one that adjusts camber)...but they have a car lift. This hub carrier bolt way for the ground based mechanic!

[@natashap203]

I have an 07 Fahrenheit and I noticed one side is sitting slightly lower so I’m thinking I need new coils. Now I know how much I should expect to pay so thanks for the video!

[@bisque]

How did you jack it up to get the stand under the lifting point? Really good video BTW!

[@garethevans177]

Thank you mate. It’s good to have some knowledge before going in to do something. Good to know it’s so simple to do 👍

[@CarlosMUrbaez]

thanks for the video, I wasted half day trying to compress those darng coils. I will re do this job next weekend.

[@firworks]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

[@knk7289]

i appreciate you and for making this. great video sir

[@zeroskate10]

Great vid thanks man. Looks easy and I’m going to go try that out 👍

[@benjones4365]

Great video. How do you do it when the bolt is rusted in the bush and will not come out?

[@mikewhite3682]

Thanks Bud! That was sooo much easier.

[@KellyRicketts]

Thanks Bud. Helpful

[@Wiliuz]

Nice work. Probably need a decent trolley jack. When i took the bolt out, i think i tried to lower it too quick and the coil spring forced its way down and came out. I was lucky it did not hit me

[@firworks]

Yeah you have to be careful lowering as those springs are pretty strong. The jack I used in the video weighs 105lbs. It's a HF 4-ton floor jack.

[@Davisiseverywhere]

Newbie here. I want to perform this fix but I am curious to know if I do need new spring pads how do I align the spring properly? Since I wouldn't have the pre-made indent from the old spring. Also, would a alignment be needed after this job? great video overall! It is extremely useful!

[@firworks]

Unless your spring pads are cracked or fell out and you lost them I wouldn't think they need to be replaced. The ones on mine (2010) were in great shape beyond having the indent from the spring. Also I don't know that the orientation matters so much with new pads, but I put mine in the same way as the old ones so they fit in the groove rather than making a new indent in the pad and possibly shifting or causing the pads damage. As for an alignment I would not expect this would have any impact on your alignment. Your car was aligned for factory springs and then slowly sags over time as the springs get old. If anything it might actually put it a little closer back to in factory alignment, provided you didn't have an alignment done recently with worn springs and you buy the OEM springs. Good luck on the replacement! It's a surprisingly simple job.

[@ckoschnick]

Great video, very helpful!

[@DM-vl6kl]

Thanks for the video definitely helped me!

[@davidpierce2075]

Thanks for the good video.

[@410dash]

Thanks !! The only thing I would do differently would be put my torque wrench on the nut instead of the bolt end, good job !

[@Bigassstuckindevesti]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you...

[@rupedog]

Vw workshop manual states that bolt is 90Nm +90 degrees further...and always renew bolt and nut!

[@omermohammad3362]

Thanks

[@chrisbehl2295]

Thanks for the demo. When this was completed, was the alignment affected at all?

[@z8294]

yes, always get an alignment after changing any suspension

[@alhamilton1806]

Nice job...I will tray it...thanks

[@juliatroy7657]

It is a torque to yield nut.

[@shaagealgareb9189]

Very good job.....

[@alhamilton1806]

Nice video,goos job,,will tray it this week

[@rupedog]

Easy to get to bolt to torque if u jack under where the spring is...then ur jacks not in the way.

[@joshkeefe5110]

great video! Is the process the same for front spring replacement? If I have access to a lift, am I able to do this in the same manner (or do I need to have compression on the spring)? thanks!

[@firworks]

No the front uses a strut so it'll be different. If you are going to only replace the spring you'll need a MacPherson strut compressor (get a clamshell style not a dual threaded rod style) and I really wouldn't recommend it. As long as you can find a decent quality "quickstrut" which is the complete new assembly it's so much easier and usually not that much more expensive. I never replaced them on my Jetta but it's going to generally be: Support the vehicle by it's body. Remove the wheel. Remove the caliper, bracket and rotor. Loosen a pinch bolt or two that secure the strut to the control arm. There'll probably be brake line brackets or speed sensor harness brackets that you'll need to remove and hang out of the way, should be pretty obvious. Go up into the engine bay and loosen the strut cap bolts that will be poking through directly above the wheel (this might require the removal of a cover). Do not loosen the large center nut/bolt on the strut. If you can pull it down far enough try to pull the control arm down while you maneuver the old strut out, it should just take getting a bit physical to wrestle it depending on how far you can get the control arm to come down. You might have to disconnect the sway bar link or tie rod end but you shouldn't have to touch the lower ball joint/remove the knuckle or the control arm bushings. The new strut will likely be taller so it'll be a bit harder to get it in there but again just get physical trying to pull down on the control arm and you can probably get it in there without disconnecting stuff. Also one other thing you can do to get some more room is remove the axle nut and push the CV out of the knuckle which will let it tip forward but you risk dinging up a speed sensor tone ring so I'd probably just leave it be. Again I haven't replaced them on a Jetta but it's pretty similar for most FWD cars. Also you'll most likely want to get an alignment once you're finished with the struts since on most cars there's usually a slot or asymmetrical nut or bushing on the pinch bolt that allows for you to set the front end camber. Chances are you won't put it back in exactly the same orientation and position. Not positive if the VW is that way but it's pretty common.

[@rupedog]

Is torque 60nm or 90nm?! That's a huge difference!

[@josephwaldron6542]

Very very helpful bro

[@Evander42117]

Where do you recommend buying OEM spec springs?

[@alehksaj6635]

that bolt you took out to release the control arm, I've seen other videos saying that you should replace that and put in a new one, is that really necessary?

[@firworks]

I would maybe replace them if you were planning the job ahead and knew you wanted to do it this way. I believe idparts should have those so if you're buying the springs you might as well grab them anyhow. I initially was going to follow the other instructions I found online and remove the shock and then realized I could do it a much simpler way on the spot. I don't foresee any issue reusing them once here though. The bolts were in great condition. There's a lot of discussion online and fighting about which bolts are torque to yield and whether they can be reused and I'll leave that up to all the forum warriors to convince you one way or another. I did reuse mine and when I inspected the suspension right before doing my TDI buyback they were tight after almost a year and 15K miles since the repair.

[@alehksaj6635]

FirworksYT my 06 mk5 GTI has 138k on it, it has eibach lowering springs but I don't know how long ago they were put in. I need to replace my springs anyway so I should probably replace the bolt on both sides.

[@richt1907]

Pretty easy thanks man.

[@dammit2hell1]

Thanks man 👍

[@nebilex9113]

Where did you get the springs from? Is it oem or did you get lowering springs?

[@firworks]

I got them from idparts.com. Since my car is a TDI that website specializes in all parts for turbo diesels. However, it can be a good place to get parts for any Jetta that has a TDI counterpart as the suspension, brakes, and many other parts are the same. I've never purchased from them before but I would also consider ecstuning.com who seems to have a very good selection of OEM and performance parts for VWs. The springs I put on were OEM made by Suplex. If I were keeping the car longer I probably would have "sprung" for the Tiguan springs to actually get a small lift. Where I live Snow is common in the winter and while the Jetta does very well in the snow, it's pretty easy to get too deep where the snow is up under the body and then the wheels are in the air. It's not going anywhere in that case. I would actually say though that replacing the springs on these cars is so easy, that I could see someone keeping lowering springs on it in the summer, and lifting springs in the winter.

[@CarlosMUrbaez]

I've the 05 2.5 jetta, bought the coils from autozone

[@Power5]

@@CarlosMUrbaez how much? In stock or order item?

[@ShaneMiller1]

Any tips for front springs ??

[@digitalmixer]

How do you know if you have to change the shocks or spring my Passat I feel every bump does that mean I have to change the springs or the shocks or both

[@hcooC]

Cheers 🍻

[@kelchnerguitarist]

If this guy was big enough into dogecoin back 5 years ago to wear a dogecoin t-shirt he’s fuckin rich now

[@rdeleonxl]

Any insight on the front springs? same process?

[@Power5]

My rear right is broken as well. What is part number? Did you buy OEM or aftermarket spring?

[@firworks]

I bought them from ID Parts. They were SUPLEX branded which I think is probably the OEM for Volkswagen. www.idparts.com/rear-springs-pair-a5-jettamk6-jetta-wirs-p-4363.html The OEM part number listed on there is 1K0511115BH so you could search for that if you don't want those ones.

[@boristheblade0075]

Really good helpful vid ,Can you do this procedure on a 2006 volkswagen golf/rabbit ? Be greatfull for a reply as i have a broken coil spring on passenger rear 🙈😡

[@firworks]

I'd like to help but I don't own a 2006 VW Golf nor do I know anyone with one. Looking at pictures though, it appears to be nearly identical to the Jetta shown in this video. Just lay down on the ground at the rear and see if the actual rear arm looks to be visually close to what you see in the video and I suspect you could replace it the same way.

[@princenyc9271]

would i have to do this if i wanted just to change the rear shocks

[@firworks]

I don't think dropping the rear arms will matter for replacing the struts. You can see that they are attached to the hub / knuckle which is in turn connected to the arms. You'll probably need to do something similar to this though with a floor jack lifting from underneath the arm to align things up when you are mounting the new strut. Without the strut on the rear hub and arm will fall down to their lowest position.

[@shanescott6550]

It makes it easier to get the rear shock off if you remove the spring. This way you are not trying to get the lower shock nut off through the spring on an angle using a socket. You can do it using a wrench but much easier using an impact gun.

[@andrewbolton621]

Great video ! Just curious if anyone knows. One of the videos I watched mentioned that the car would need an alignment after replacing the springs ...is that true ? Thanks ! :)

[@Big_Ben1988]

Your best bet is to get alignment check shortly after doing any kind of suspension work.

[@hardbodyfitness1]

What yes your jetta

[@breakstuffinc]

Most helpful, thanks!

[@squadmeta]

Always replace the nut (and preferably the bolt)

[@crawfordtaylor4575]

One side of my 99 vw beetle is sagging.

[@johnnyversaci7091]

My friend has a 2014 jetta and all 4 of his springs are broken. How the fuck is that possible? Because vw is trash that's how