Parts for your 2020 Volkswagen Amarok-Struts

2020 Volkswagen Amarok “Struts” – What’s actually fitted?

For the 2020 Volkswagen Amarok, traditional MacPherson struts aren’t used at either end. Technical sources including Volkswagen’s factory repair information (ErWIN/ELSA) and the Amarok Self‑Study Programme describe an independent double‑wishbone front suspension with a coil spring over a separate shock absorber, and a rear live axle with leaf springs and separate telescopic dampers. Major parts catalogues from suspension specialists also list shock absorbers (not strut assemblies) for this model year. So, while “struts” gets tossed around as a generic term online, the Amarok doesn’t run MacPherson struts.

Why no struts? The Amarok is a ladder‑frame ute engineered for payload, towing and off‑road work. A double‑wishbone front end with a separate damper handles higher loads and rougher terrain more consistently than a typical car‑style strut, and it allows better control of camber through suspension travel. Out back, leaf springs carry the load, with stand‑alone shocks managing damping—again, no strut design required.

What does that mean for servicing? Owners looking up “Amarok struts” are really chasing front or rear shock absorbers and related hardware. The focus should be on:

• Front coil‑over shock absorbers, upper mounts/top hats, control arm bushes and ball joints
• Rear telescopic shocks, leaf spring bushes, shackles and U‑bolts
• Sway bar links and bushes, wheel alignment, and tyre wear checks

Typical signs it’s time to replace shocks include oil seepage on the damper body, excessive bounce over speed humps, nose‑dive under brakes, rear squat when towing, knocking over bumps, or uneven tyre wear. On vehicles that tow or see corrugated roads, inspection every 20,000–30,000 km is wise, with many owners finding replacement somewhere between 80,000–120,000 km depending on use. Replace shocks in axle pairs, use quality hardware and new mounting bushes, and torque fasteners with the suspension at ride height to avoid preloading bushes. After any suspension work, a proper alignment helps keep steering feel tidy and tyres wearing evenly.

Bottom line: the Amarok doesn’t have struts. It uses separate shock absorbers designed for the ute’s workload, and keeping those fresh is the key to ride, control and tyre life.

• Does the 2020 Amarok have front or rear struts?
  No. It runs a double‑wishbone front setup with a coil spring over a separate shock absorber, and a rear live axle with leaf springs and separate shocks. There are no MacPherson strut assemblies on this model.
• If a workshop quotes “struts” for an Amarok, what are they actually replacing?
  They’ll almost certainly mean the shock absorbers and related mounts/bushes. On the front, that’s the coil‑over shock unit and top mount, on the rear, the standalone dampers. There’s no strut tube or strut top bearing like a passenger car.
• How often should Amarok shocks be replaced?
  Usage dictates timing. Inspect every 20,000–30,000 km, especially if towing or driving off‑road. Many utes need shocks between 80,000–120,000 km. Replace in pairs and book an alignment afterwards.