front shocks

**passat 130 tdi** · 12-12-2012,10:27 AM

when going through small potholes etc , the front end just kinda smacks through the floor,im also going through track rod ends at a rate of 2 every 6 months ,, could it be excess tyre wear or would the shocks need changed , cars done 121k on original shocks , they pass every mot , im guessing they have seen better days - also which shocks would people recommend fitting , monroe worth the money or gsf parts any good ????

is it an easy diy to change them over, i have done spring changes before , but seem to remember seeing a video of the passat shock needing to be lined up properly with a mark somewhere on the strut body !!!! ????

**smithy602179** · 13-12-2012,09:46 AM

try changing the drop links first or c links as some call them they are available from gsf or euro car parts but try and get the lemforder ones which are better quality . and a lot cheaper than shocks .

they are a 10 min job too but make sure you do the bolts up with the car resting on the ground

**passat 130 tdi** · 13-12-2012,09:55 AM

those ones that clamp up onto the antiroll bar ??

**smithy602179** · 13-12-2012,10:44 AM

no the ones that go between the bottom control arm and top arm . think your thinking of the antiroll bar bushes
ANTIROLL BAR LINK / DROPLINK, FRONT RH

the ones at bottom of picture that look like drawer handles are the d links

**passat 130 tdi** · 13-12-2012,12:20 PM

confused here !!! which ones in that picture do you recommend i change ??

**smithy602179** · 13-12-2012,12:58 PM

the links that look like a horseshoe at the bottom of the pic . They go on the control arms if you put your steering on full lock and look at back of wheel you should see them . They are the only links that go vertically all the others go horizontally

**OddBallBoy** · 13-12-2012,01:05 PM

Are the links you're talking about not what links the bottom arm to the anti roll bar?!
All the other link arms arms are well known for wearing on passats as well - get into each joint with a pry bar and look for excessive movement. There will always be some movement of the rubber bush where the bolts go through but there should be no up and down movement on any of the ball joints.

**passat 130 tdi** · 13-12-2012,01:07 PM

do they not fasten to the anti roll bar though at one end ? this is what threw me - anyhow , i ordered 2 lemforder ones at a good price off ebay . thanks for your help m8.