VW Golf Shocks and Struts

Wondering if it's time for new VW Golf shocks for your A4 or A5 chassis? Is it necessary to replace my VW Golf shock mounts, stops, and boots too? This post also provides you with a basic description of front and rear VW Golf shock suspension set-ups and explains the difference between Factory VW Golf Comfort suspension verses Factory VW Golf Sport suspension options.

The VW shock replacement information on this page applies to the following VW Golf models:

  • 1999-2006 VW Golf Shock Absorber (US) A4 chassis (aka Mark IV).
  • 2006-2009 VW Golf Shock Absorber (US) A5 chassis (aka Mark V).

Is It Time for New VW Golf Shocks?

Warning Sign - Effect of rough roads on VW shocksAccording to a 2009 AASHTO summary report, only 1/2 of US major roads are said to be in good condition with more than 60% of roads in major cities in poor condition. This translates into an estimated $335 in vehicle maintenance and operation costs each year and up to $746 in major cities.

Bad road conditions may be out of our control, but you can be more prepared for them by replacing your worn out VW Golf shocks. The importance of new shocks goes beyond mere comfort. Worn shocks can affect steering, tire wear and your VW ’s Golf responsiveness.  New VW Golf shocks and related suspension components (i.e. ball joints etc.) can improve your vehicle's ability to maintain traction, help it respond to quick turns, and emergency stops. 

VW Shock Absorber

It's easy to tell when your brakes or wipers need replacing. Determining if your VW Golf shocks need to be replaced isn't as simple. There is no "replace them every x amount of miles" service interval standards here. Customers in need of VW Golf shock replacement often notice a soft spongy ride feeling around 90,000 miles. Although this soft feel may not seem that bad, it indicates that the VW Golf shocks have already begun to lose their ability to dampen. In our own VW service shop, experience has shown that between 90,000-130,000 miles you'll begin to see a considerable deterioration in ride quality. When going over a bump a good VW Golf shock should compress and spring up / rebound only once. Whereas, a worn out VW Golf shock compresses and rebounds several times, causing a bouncy springiness. Due to this loss in dampening performance a worn out VW Golf shock begins to significantly increase the wear on the related suspension components (control arms, mounts etc.) quickly reducing their service life. Why? To reiterate... instead of 1 compression, the shock is compressing 3 or 4 times before it brings the wheel back into control. This is serious, due to the complexity of the 24 moving hemi / ball joints and bushings that make up the front suspension. Customers seem to stretch their VW Golf shock replacement out a little longer than other scheduled maintenance. Do you really want to run the risk of wearing out all these suspension components or your whole front end? As you can see, it's very important to install a fresh new pair of shocks in your Golf when you reach this high mileage.

This spongy feeling and slow bump recovery time is one of the first signs that you're in need of new VW Golf shocks. Other symptoms include bald patches on your tires, tire cupping, excessive shock oil seepage, vehicle pulling, poor steering response, or sharp knocks, such as when going over railroad tracks.

Is It Necessary to Replace the VW Golf Shock Mounts, Stops, and Boots Too?

VW Shock Labor CostThe importance of servicing your VW Golf suspension the correct way cannot be overstated! In this economy many are trying to save wherever possible. However, think carefully before cutting corners in this department. When replacing VW Golf shocks in our own service facility, we've seen that other suspension parts (i.e. VW shock mounts, stops, boots, and hardware) show significant signs of wear or have already begun to deteriorate and are not reusable. Many customers who've replaced only their VW Golf shocks, have found that they're still experiencing similar suspension problems as well as random front end suspension noises. This may be because other worn shock related components can simulate the same symptoms as bad shocks (see below section regarding the complexity of diagnosing VW suspension system noises). Why go through the significant labor to replace the VW Golf shocks only to realize a failure in one or more of the related items, consequently needing to redo your suspension job again? Many wish they would have spent the extra money up front than face this labor intensive job again. Consider the following:

VW Golf Bump Stops and Dust Boots

Usually when an VW Golf shock begins to go bad the seals start to seep oil. This shock oil leaks onto the bump stop eating away at the rubber foam material, affecting its density and ability to perform its job properly. If the bump stop isn't replaced, your new shocks have the chance of bottoming out, causing internal shock damage and premature failure. Replacing the stops helps protect new VW Golf shocks from bottoming out when hitting potholes and rough roads. Leaking shock oil can also get onto the dust boots. Over time this eats away at and weakens the rubber causing it to deteriorate and eventually rip. Ripped dust boots allow road grime and dirt to contaminate the shock causing scarring of the shock shaft and seals, resulting in premature shock failure. Replacing the boots protects new VW Golf shocks (shock shaft and seal) from dirt and dust, ensuring their long lifespan.

VW Golf Shock Mounts

Nearly all Golf models that we've had in our facility for shock replacement needed new shock mounts. VW Golf shock mounts are made of a rubber material and with age, collapse and deteriorate. This is especially noticeable in the front of the car since it supports the engine and endures the brunt of road impact. Worn VW Golf shock mounts often cause a conspicuous clunking noise when going over bumps. Play at the top of the spring perch while the suspension is loaded (not un-sprung) may also be evident.

VW Golf Shock Suspension Set-up

The VW Golf shock absorbers are a substantial part of the suspension system. VW Golf shocks go beyond providing mere comfort. Shocks affect other related suspension components, along with steering, tire wear and responsiveness.

Front VW Golf Shock Set-up:

The VW Golf shock mounts, shock bump stops, shock dust boot / sleeves, upper strut bearings, and strut nuts/bolts make up the front suspension. 

Rear VW Golf Shock Set-up:

VW Golf models have rear shock mounts, shock bump stops, and shock dust boot / sleeves and strut nuts/bolts that make up the rear suspension.

Factory VW Golf Standard vs Factory VW Golf Sport Suspension

What do I have? How can I find out? Starting around 1999 it became common for VW Golf models to be offered with two suspension options from the factory. A 'Standard' comfort suspension systems (stock ride height), or a 'Sport' suspension system (lowered ride height). Some customers have contacted their dealer with their VIN to find out what type of suspension corresponds with their vehicle. Only an authorized VW dealer can access the bill of material info, which reveals what suspension was used on your VW Golf. Blauparts is an independent VW parts specialist and doesn't have access to this bill of material info. Therefore, we cannot determine or confirm your VW Golf suspension setup.

FACTORY VW Golf Standard Suspension

(1) Vehicles with 'Standard' comfort suspension have a stock or normal looking ride height and are equipped with shock absorbers that are valved to yield a standard softer ride quality.

FACTORY VW Golf Sport Suspension

(2) Vehicles with 'Sport' suspension from the FACTORY, have shorter springs that results in a slightly lowered vehicle stance of approximately 1” along with shock absorbers that have been valved to yield a slightly firmer ride.

BLAU® S4 Shock Features:

1) BLAU VW shock absorber kits make shock installation easier because they include the necessary related components (i.e. mounts, stops, boots) and assembly hardware that is commonly needed for successful VW shock replacement.

VW Shock Accessories

2) BLAU VW shock absorber valving is designed specifically for each individual vehicle application.

3) BLAU VW shock absorbers feature both Japanese mono tube and twin tube designs. These designs allow for a free floating shock shaft piston with chambers inside the shock separating the oil from a high-pressure gas charge. You can expect reduced body roll when cornering and excellent dampening characteristics while you conquer demanding road conditions.

4) BLAU VW shock absorbers are filled with Nitrogen gas, delivering superior performance. Nitrogen gas lessens aeration of the shock's dampening fluid. This maintains continuous shock dampening performance, reducing shock fade, resulting in less tire wear and longer suspension component life.

Set of VW Struts

5) Unlike other popular name brand struts and shocks, BLAU VW shock absorbers are filled with a long life, multi viscosity oil containing Mos2 moly lubricant. Mos2 helps resist fluid breakdown and maintains year round shock fluid performance under all weather driving conditions. Mos2 greatly reduces wear on all internal shock components, extending the shock life for years of great shock performance.

6) Advanced internal self-lubricating shock components from Japan result in less shock shaft friction combined with a Fluon banded shock shaft piston, increasing VW shock life and improving dampening sensitivity.

7) BLAU VW shocks meet/exceed the quality of original equipment.

Owners can expect a better ride quality when comparing our shocks to VW Bilstein Touring Shocks, VW Boge Shocks, and VW KYB Shocks.

Proper Fitment Of BLAU® Shocks on VW Golf Models

PLEASE NOTE:  BLAU® VW Golf shocks are NOT intended or designed to be used on vehicles equipped with AFTERMARKET lowering sport springs (i.e. H&R, Eibach or others). These spring kits tend to lower the vehicle too much which makes them dimensionally not compatible with BLAU's VW Golf shocks. We've received many telephone calls from customers who ask, “If my vehicle is lowered just a smidgen more than 1 inch will your shocks work?” Our answer is, “No.” Do not purchase our shock kit if your vehicle is lowered even a little over an inch.

BLAU's VW Golf shock absorber kits are designed to replace worn out shocks on vehicles with a stock 'Standard' suspension system having a stock ride height or a FACTORY equipped 'Sport' suspension system which has lowered the vehicle approximatel 1".

VW Golf models with 'Standard' suspension system or FACTORY equipped 'Sport' suspension system have great over-all ride characteristics. Thus, BLAU® VW Golf shocks have been engineered to provide similar stock OE type ride characteristics, only slightly stiffer. As a result of BLAU® shocks being gas charged, a firm ride is achieved without the harshness that is often associated with some sport suspension upgrades. BLAU® VW Golf shocks supply the perfect amount of firmness to help you "Feel The Road".