how far do i go

[crunchynutter]

Hi guys
Ive got a 2001 Passat 1.9 tdi sport,
i noticed a rattling from the rear end and after a quick look the
"cup" that holds the spring to the shock absorber has rotted away,
now, do i just replace the shock and re-use the old spring, replace both the spring and shock and should i just to be safe replace both sides or wait for the other side to fail.
Any thoughts

[passat 130 tdi]

springs are best changed in pairs so they say , if the old 1 is still good , i'd reuse it. i personally have changed just 1 spring without any issues later.

[crunchynutter]

Thanks
As the spring is ok i was going to re-use it this time just to keep the rear end even, assuming they are a pair, and just replace the shock, then when the time comes replace both springs together.

[snapdragon]

I'd reuse the springs and replace both dampers, it's not a bad job, New SACHS or Bilstein OEM ones are about £40-50 each. Give it a good jetwash a few days before, and then get a spray rust preventer aerosol LIDLS do a good one and clean everything up and coat it with this while you're up there. It is best to replace the bolts or at least use blue Loctite.

[crunchynutter]

Thanks for the replies guys
Think i'll do as snapdragon suggests & keep the springs just replace the shocks.
One other thing, are the sport shocks the same as standard ones, i think ride height is governed by the springs

[b197ony]

well ive just fitted tdi rear shocks on my b5 1.8 turbo and the ride height hasnt changed at all even though the cars lowered about 60mm

[snapdragon]

One other thing, are the sport shocks the same as standard ones, i think ride height is governed by the springs

The 4 cylinder sports suspension dampers are the same as all 6 cylinder dampers. The 4 cylinder standard suspension ones are different to the above. However, they do fit each other, and some makes like KYB Kayaba don't distinguish.

I would probably try Kayaba ones if I do mine again, one of the SACHS ones from GSP is leaking after only 3 years.