VW Rear Shock Bolts - Are they stretch type?

[tunnie]

I can see one rear shock is leaking a bit, so time to replace the pair for the MOT which is due soon.

The VW parts dept wanted £110 per shock, but looking under the car I can see a Sachs label on the shock itself, so just ordered a pair of Sachs from ECP for £110 delivered. 

But the VW dealer mentioned bolts, 2 for the top 1 for the bottom. Looks dead easy to swap these out looking at How2's, but none appear to mention if the bolts stretch or not, I asked dealer he could not confirm. If not damaged, can I reuse?

Only £10 for the set from VW, so will probably get them anyway, as I will get the fuel filter from them as well. (also assuming new bolts don't come with new shocks)

[Doctor Gollum]

Reminds me of a post not so long ago about how you expect to get another 40k from them

One bolt at the bottom, two at the top and remove. Swap top mount to new shocks and refit.

Bottom bolt has less than perfect access and check the rear discs whilst you're there

[Kevin Wood]

Tunnie hasn't hypermiled it to the moon and back yet. Rear disks will be as new.

[Doctor Gollum]

Tunnie hasn't hypermiled it to the moon and back yet. Rear disks will be as new.

I wouldn't bet the inside of the rear discs on that... There's also an access issue for the rear caliper bolts...

That said it will probably go into a garage to be done anyway

[Kevin Wood]

Tunnie hasn't hypermiled it to the moon and back yet. Rear disks will be as new.

I wouldn't bet the inside of the rear discs on that... There's also an access issue for the rear caliper bolts...

That said it will probably go into a garage to be done anyway

Yes, otherwise some German software will detect that he's been spannering, and cause it to self-destruct.

[henryd]

I can see one rear shock is leaking a bit, so time to replace the pair for the MOT which is due soon.

The VW parts dept wanted £110 per shock, but looking under the car I can see a Sachs label on the shock itself, so just ordered a pair of Sachs from ECP for £110 delivered. 

But the VW dealer mentioned bolts, 2 for the top 1 for the bottom. Looks dead easy to swap these out looking at How2's, but none appear to mention if the bolts stretch or not, I asked dealer he could not confirm. If not damaged, can I reuse?

Only £10 for the set from VW, so will probably get them anyway, as I will get the fuel filter from them as well. (also assuming new bolts don't come with new shocks)

I've always reused the bolts with a new dab of loctite

[Doctor Gollum]

Think the Seats ones came with a new lower bolt and top mount nut

Top mount to body bolts were reused

[LC0112G]

Three rules of thumb :

1) If the OEM torque spec is X Nm + Y Degrees, then chances are the bolt is being tightened past yield (AKA a stretch bolt)

2) Take a new bolt and the old one and hold them so that the threads engage in each other for the full length. If they don't 'fit snugly' along the full length then the bolt has stretched

3) If the bolt is in a safety critical, expensive if it fails, or in a PITA location, probably best to use new ones.

[tunnie]

new shocks being delivered today, so will inspect when home to see what's in the kit. Have a busy Sunday planned as also decided to put new rear discs and pads on the VW as well, as it's rare I can get a full day for car work.

The 3.2 might get a check over as well   

[henryd]

new shocks being delivered today, so will inspect when home to see what's in the kit. Have a busy Sunday planned as also decided to put new rear discs and pads on the VW as well, as it's rare I can get a full day for car work.

The 3.2 might get a check over as well   

The vw  rear caliper frames are done up FT from factory with loctite,spline bit from memory but use a good one

Also does yours have leccy  handbrake?,I  know you've got Vcds but you'll need Caliper wind back tool if it doesnt

[tunnie]

Yes got VCDS to back off the calliper, also bought M16 spline thingy.

Shocked arrived today, only new top bolt. Will reuse others.

[tunnie]

Access does look tight to these, but apart from that all looks straight forward.

[henryd]

Access does look tight to these, but apart from that all looks straight forward.

Much better on a ramp or pit but yes they are awkward