How do you replace rear shock absorbers on a mark IV golf GTI?

You basically lift up the car, remove the rear wheels , get a portable lift that can sustain the rear axle , and remove the two screws that hold the shock absorber in place.

That's how i did mine , but i work in a garage , so i had everything i needed.

I guess you should also be able to do it with the car on the ground , by simply using two hydraulic lifts, one to lift the car, and one to hold the rear axle. You need to do one wheel at a time , even if you do it on the ground or in a garage.

The rear shock absorbers on the mark 4 are easy to replace, among the easiest i've ever done.

The story changes drastically if you need to replace the front shock absorbers , and for that , i suggest you to have the job done at a garage you're familiar with.

You could also do it yourself , but you need a lift like those you see in a garage, because you need to lift up the car, and loose a bit the sub frame to successfully remove the shocks( if you don't do that, the axle will hit the sub frame, and you won't be able to lower enough the suspension knuckle to remove it from the shock absorber).