MK3 Jetta/Golf : How To Install Rear Coilovers

I have finally installed my Tuning Art rear coilovers into my MK3 Jetta VR6. I will be replacing the stock rear shocks rubber mounts with the (22-902) polyurethane rear shocks rubber mounts that I have purchased from www.Mjmautohaus.com . The polyurethane rear shocks rubber mounts can be purchased separately for 24.95 + free shipping within the 48 US states. I am replacing the rear shocks rubber mounts with polyurethane because they're way better when it comes to performance wise and usually last longer than OEM rubber.

Here are some pictures I took to provide a guide for anyone that is planning to upgrade their mk3 Jetta/golf on how to remove the rear stock suspension system and install rear coilover suspension system.

First, prepare the following interior removal of the interior panels are required to have proper access to the rear strut nut on the rear strut tower for MK3 Jetta's, skip the following steps for MK3 Golf as these does not apply to them. The pictures are provided by a member Draggingframe of www.Jettajunkie.com

draggingframe said:
Take off the pillar that has the front shoulder belt portion of the seatbelt coming through it. It's fairly simple, they just kind of snap in place on the rubber. Once it's off, there will be two screws. One that holds the front pillar, one that holds the rear pillar.

Take the screw out for the rear pillar, there will be about 3 clips holding the trim to the roof of the car. Just pull gently on the trim, they will pop out.

There are 3 more massive metal clips that hold the trim to the side of the car (all of those 3, are where the rear shoulder belt portion of the seatbelt comes out of the trim). Pull them off (it will feel like they are going to break, but it won't)

Now do the above on the other side of the car..

There is a hook like thing in the middle of the deck, use a flat head to pry the cover off it, and it will have a bolt under it.

If your deck has speakers in it, get under from in the trunk, and there's 4 7mm bolts that hold them in. (I think they were 7mm) remove them unhook the wiring from the speaker, and push the speakers up through the top.

If it doesn't have speakers, or you have already removed them.. and removed rear pillars, and the hook like thing in the middle, it should slide right out. It may have some clips toward the bottom (3 or 4, I don't remember), that you should be able to see by lifting the material that hangs down off the deck behind the seats.

Second, prepare the following required tools at the pictures below to perform the proper removal/installation.

Tools 1

-Floor Jack
-Jack Stand x2

Tools 2

-Air Ratchet
-Wrench Drive
-Torque Wrench
-Adjustable wrench
-17mm Medium Socket

Tools 3

-Air Compressor (125 PSI or more required and more gallon the better)

Purchase

-Anti-seize Lubricant

Here's a picture of my rear stock suspension with the stock height. Again, the tires are so distant from the quarter panel fender which is 1 7/8 inch away in height.

Step 1
Slightly loosen the lug bolts then jack up the car. once the car is suspended on the air, place the jack stands to replace the floor jack. Then unbolt the lug bolts and remove the wheels. Never ever use floor jack as a jack stand!

Step 2
Lightly loosen the bolts on both side of the rear beam axle that's holding the rear strut assembly together with a 17mm socket. Then jack up on of the rear axle beam under where the rear strut bolt is located to raise the shocks and relieve the pulling pressure of the gravity.

Step 3
Fold down all the rear seats to locate and have better access of the rear strut tower.

Step 4
Remove the rear strut tower rubber cover on both sides.

Step 5
Unbolt and remove the 17mm nut securing the huge round metal washer cover for the top rear rubber mount. Then unbolt and remove the 17mm nut securing that larger protruding washer facing down of the top rear rubber mount along with the rear top rubber mount on both sides, then the smaller protruding washer is under the rear top rubber mount follows facing up.

Here's a picture of how the rear top rubber mount with the large protruding washer was removed, notice the large protruding washer is facing downwards.

Here's a picture of the smaller protruding washer was removed facing up.

Step 6
Unbolt and remove the bottom bolt of the rear strut assembly connected to the rear beam axle on both sides, then let the rear beam axle hang down by releasing the floor jack. Once the axle is hanging down, remove the stock rear strut assembly by pulling it down. The bottom rear rubber mount should fall off with the rear strut assembly or it will be stock on the bottom strut tower that should be removed. The rear strut assembly should now be out and its ready for rear suspension upgrade.

MK3 Jetta/Golf : How To Install Rear Coilovers

masterkdrifter

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