How to replace the rear shock absorbers of a Volkswagen UP

Let's see how to replace the rear shock absorbers of a Volkswagen UP: first of all, we need to get the right tool, which is the LS Tool 150.9435 that we can find on Amazon with the code B001NYX79S at a price of 13.30 euros, with free one-day delivery for Prime customers.

We will then find the pair of rear shock absorbers on auto-doc. It with the EAN code 3322938320621 at a price of 46.99 euros + 9.95 euros for delivery charges: we loosen the wheel nuts and lift the rear part, resting it on two jack stands.

We flip the rear seat and remove the plastic panel from the side trunk, unscrew the two Torx T25 screws and remove the panel. We unscrew the upper nut of the shock absorber with the special key and with a second key we unscrew the nut, then unscrew everything by hand.

From under the car, we use a 16 socket to unscrew the nut at the base of the shock absorber, holding it steady with a fixed key. We remove the shock absorber downwards, remove the bushing and cut the top part of the dust cover. We activate the new shock absorber by pressing the bar several times, mount the new clamp, insert the lower support, mount the bushing.

Now we insert the shock absorber from below, passing its rod through the hole in the wheel arch. We insert the lower pin into its housing, screw in the lower fixing screw.

From inside the trunk, we insert (in order) on the shock absorber rod: the spacer; the bushing; the washer. We screw the new nut by hand.

We use a jack to slightly lift the suspension arm to bring it to normal driving height. This way we will avoid damaging the bushings.

Now we tighten the upper and lower nut with the torque wrench. We reassemble the plastic panel.

We can move on to the shock absorber on the other side.