Testing the shock absorber on the shock tester — VW
Testing the shock absorber on the shock tester on VW: factory workshop procedure. Full factory text, tools and checks.
Workshop procedure for VW — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📋 Procedure
Use the shock tester (shock absorber test unit) to check shock absorbers when installed. The insulating effect can be assessed through the movement of the indicator or print-out.
Special tools and workshop equipment required
Boge shock tester
or
Sachs shock tester V.A.G 1975
or
Maha insulating tester VAS 1990
Test requirements:
Temperature +10 ... + 40 °C
Driver in vehicle.
Tyre pressures OK.
Vehicle is centred and driven straight onto the wheel test plates.
Wheels in straight-ahead position.
Handbrake not applied, brake pedal not actuated.
Limit values
The condition of the shock absorbers can be evaluated as follows:
Insulating effect sufficient
or
Insulating effect insufficient
Notes:
Intermediate values for a lessened insulating performance cannot be read out.
Prediction of service life is not permitted.
Measured values obtained through working of the spring travel end stops are falsified.
The following values are only valid for the previously mentioned test rigs. If the given values are exceeded the shock absorber is weakened by more than 50% - the exchange is justified.
Front axle, TT Coupe FWD:
a = greater than 50: Insulating effect insufficient
a = smaller than 50: Insulating effect sufficient
Rear axle, TT Coupe FWD
a = greater than 54: Insulating effect insufficient
a = smaller than 54: Insulating effect sufficient
Front axle, TT Coupe 4WD
a = greater than 49: Insulating effect insufficient
a = smaller than 49: Insulating effect sufficient
Rear axle, TT Coupe 4WD
a = greater than 50: Insulating effect insufficient
a = smaller than 50: Insulating effect sufficient
Front axle, TT Roadster FWD
a = greater than 50: Insulating effect insufficient
a = smaller than 50: Insulating effect sufficient
Rear axle, TT Roadster FWD
a = greater than 54: Insulating effect insufficient
a = smaller than 54: Insulating effect sufficient
Front axle, TT Roadster 4WD
a = greater than 50: Insulating effect insufficient
a = smaller than 50: Insulating effect sufficient
Rear axle, TT Roadster 4WD
a = greater than 50: Insulating effect insufficient
a = smaller than 50: Insulating effect sufficient
TorqFix answers live for your specific car — tell it the engine code and it serves the matching sequence, torque figures and wiring for that exact variant.
Ask about my car →Other VW procedures
- Removing engine · 41 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
- Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
- Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures
- Removing and installing tensioning element for poly V-belt
- Removing and installing timing chain cover (left) – VW 3.0 TDI
- Removing and installing timing chain cover (right) – VW CASA
- Removing and installing temperature sender in front of particulate filters G506 and G498
- Removing and installing drive plate with overload protection · 1 torque figures
Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.