How to replace beetle rear shock absorbers

Tools Needed: 17mm spanner & socket, breaker bar, WD40, jack & axle stands

Parts Needed: 2 Replacement shock absorbers
Time taken: 15- 30mins per side

*NB* Shock absorbers must always be replaced in axle sets and never singularly. If only 1 fails you still need to replace the other side also.

With the car in gear and front wheels chocked, loosen the wheel bolts and raise the rear of the car. Make it safe by supporting it on axle stands placed under the main chassis rails that run either side of the gearbox. NEVER work under a car supported only by a jack - too many people have been seriously injured /died risking it.
Remove the road wheel. You will then see the shock (this is the cylinder running vertically). It should be held in by a 17mm nut and bolt at the top and a 17mm nut and bolt at the bottom, as shown in the pics (but sometimes different bolts have been used).
Using the spanner and the socket, or the socket of a breaker bar if necessary, undo the top and bottom nuts and bolts & remove the old shock.
Compress and fully expand the new shock absorber a couple of times to prime it. Fit the bottom nut and bolt noting that the bottom half of the shock goes into the wider top half.
If the shock will not stretch to reach the top bolt hole (it probably won't if it's a swing axle car), place the jack under the axle and lift the it up until it is possible to get the bolt through.
Tighten all the bolts fully, replace road wheel and do the other side.