› Forums › Repairs & Technical › Repairs & Technical for Golf & Passat cars › Rear Struts for mk2 golf syncro – can you use mk1
Someone told me you could use mk1 golf rear suspension on a syncro – can this be right?
Not really as this happens, its caused by the tyre rubbing on the spring perch when cornering.
Also the Golf 1 shocks are not stiff enough to damp the extra weight of the Golf 2 Syncro rear end, I fitted a spacer ring to stop the rubbing, but the Golf 1 shocks are not up to the job.




Golf 1 on the left, G2 Syncro on the right, notice the spring perch hight difference.
Thanks for this Chris
I reckon i’ll go for some standard struts then – as one rear has failed on the MOT.
Is it just as easy to change as normal mk2 rear suspension?
I think you’ll find the shocks from a Scirocco are the same length at the syncro, might be cheaper than getting them from a vw dealer.
Sorry Mikes, but I just checked in ETKA & the Scirocco shocks P/N 171 513 033P or P/N 171 513 033R are also listed for a Golf 1
& strangely enough for a 1979 to 1984 Jetta Syncro?
but as we all know the Syncro models did not come out till 1986 with the Golf/Jetta 2 platform!
looks like someone goofed in ETKA, lol.
I had the same issue with tyres rubbing on rear shocks as I used mk1 golf shocks on the back. I have just replaced them with a set made for the syncro off ebay. They cost £66 with free delivery and were gas shocks. Fitted them yesterday and all seems fine. They are still listed on ebay here.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180491402659
Matt