Worn dampers (shocks/struts) deteriorate slowly, so plenty of GTIs are driving on dead ones without the owner noticing.
Symptoms:
- Float or wallow over crests, a bouncy ride, nose-dive under braking.
- Clunking (worn top mount) or a knock over bumps.
- Uneven, cupped tyre wear.
Check: the old bounce test only catches badly-dead ones — better to look for oil weeping down the strut body and worn top mounts/bearings.
The fix:
- Replace in axle pairs, and do the top mounts and bump stops while the strut's out. OE-quality or a matched spring/damper kit; don't pair a stiff spring with a tired damper.
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