 Gently guide the axle into...  Gently guide the axle into the spindle, then retighten the three lower ball-joint bolts, the tie-rod end, sway bar end-link and reinstall the brake caliper before refitting the wheel |  Now you're done with the front....  Now you're done with the front. Look how much nicer that is! Let's finish the rear so we can take it for a spin... |  With the car safely supported...  With the car safely supported on jack stands and the rear wheels removed, remove the upper strut mount bolts. These are inside the trunk on most VWs but the Mk5s have them inside the fender wells, and it's much easier this way. To remove the upper strut bolts, we lazily used the air-impact gun again. Note, never install the bolts with an air-impact gun, the chances of cross-threading are too great |
 Like the front, you'll need...  Like the front, you'll need to remove the sway bar end-links. Hold the end-link with an Allen or Spline socket while removing the bolt |  With the sway bar disconnected,...  With the sway bar disconnected, we couldn't remove the rear spring. You must first disconnect either the lower spindle from the lower control arm or use a spring compressor as we did. You then have access to the lower shock mount |  Go ahead and remove the long...  Go ahead and remove the long bolts while supporting the shock with your other hand. Now gently guide the shock assembly out of the well |
 Like the front, re-use the...  Like the front, re-use the stock upper shock mount on the KWs. The easiest way to remove the upper mount is with an air gun since the strut will want to spin if you use a wrench. Move the upper strut mount onto the KW damper and tighten the upper nut. Note, the KWs have two upper nuts, the second is a jam-nut that needs to be tightened against the lower one |  Don't forget to re-use the...  Don't forget to re-use the black dust boot before guiding the assembly back into the well. Begin reinstallation by tightening the lower shock mount |  Without the stock rubber piece...  Without the stock rubber piece on top (visit KW's website for a detailed shot), guide the KW spring and upper perch into the lower A-arm and upper mount |
 Reconnect the swing arm end-link...  Reconnect the swing arm end-link and tighten the upper strut mount bolts before you're done. Damn, that looks good! |  |  Before and after. Our TDI...  Before and after. Our TDI went from "4x4" to "slammed" in a few hours. Note, the coilovers are only halfway down in this photo, meaning we could go much lower! |