I have an 02 Passat SE estate, and I think the shocks are due for a change? It has done 120k and I can find no evidence in the history file that they have ever been changed. Fully loaded I keep scraping the mud flaps and if I attach our caravan it just sinks (I've weighed the car at a weigh bridge and it is a good match for the car etc).
The car will mainly be used for towing, can anyone recommend a beefier set up please? I want to keep the ride height etc but want to be able to keep it more level when loaded.
Are you sure it's not the rear coil springs that have weakened by any chance? There is a method to check to see if the rear shocks are worn and that is firstly have the rear of the car unloaded. Go to each of the rear corners of the car and push or pull down as hard as you can. The car should go down, then up and firmly rest without any bounce at all. If the car goes down then up and back down then this is a bounce and confirms that the rear shock absorbers need replacing. Even if just one is worn you have to replace them as a pair. You can also test the front shock absorbers by the same method as well. It is quite an easy job to replace the rear shocks (not the front as they are more difficult) if you have the tools and are mechanically minded.
Shock absorbers don't generally cause the rear to be low, they will cause excessive bounce. Weak springs would be the more likely cause. The first sign of worn shock absorbers is an oily film around them. They usually become weak because the oil inside them has started to leak out and this is normally evident by a "wet look" on the sides of them. This is often evident even before the "bounce test" and what most MoT inspectors will look for.
Just get some heavy duty springs fitted they are cheap enough just undo the shocker at the bottom and push the suspension arm down and remove and refit the new ones
Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 21/2/2012
Just get some heavy duty springs fitted they are cheap enough just undo the shocker at the bottom and push the suspension arm down and remove and refit the new ones
Thanks Bob,
I've contacted the makers of MAD suspension spring helpers today for some advice.
My Brother has a passat of the same vintage and has the same problem, the car has been like that since new so it is not the springs, I would suggest fitting spring assisters, I fitted them to my omega as I had the same problem, the car is now fine and tows level and not a big expense, I think that it is a design problem with the cars having a long overhang behind the rear wheels, no big problem with the omega as its rear wheel drive, but my brother does get some wheel spin if the roads are wet and he sets off a bit sharp.
I don't know if you can still get these Monroe air levelling shockers
Basically you fit these shockers and in the boot you have a valve you attach an air line and pump them up
I had a set around 20 years ago worked really well attach caravan pump rear of car up to normal height back then they whee around £80 for a pair but well worth it
My 57 plate B6 model sags at the rear with the van on.The jockey wheel has grounded once on a bumpy country lane. Even with the van virtually empty when collecting it from storage the car sags. I make sure the nose weight is correct and the car tyres inflated to correct towing pressure and dont have any problems apart from front wheel traction on damp roads.
Quote: Originally posted by baggins33 on 20/2/2012
We had that problem and after much research found that the se had lower suspension that all other Passats..
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Topic: Passat shockers.
