I think it looks like you are missing the washer (item 21 on the vagcat drawing) that sits on the top step of the damper rod, just visible in your 1st picture.
The lower top bush then sits on this washer, passes under the turret, then the upper top bush/washer/nut assembly tightens down on top of this.
At the front, have you correctly torqued the nuts with the weight of the car on the ground?