OU51

I occasionally get a "crunch" noise coming from one of the front wheels (usually left) when pulling away from a stand still. I think this is when the ASR cuts in as it usually only happens in the snow or when trying to make a quick getaway in the wet. Does anyone elses VRS do this?

I would say not, as that ebay listing says they are compatible with 1.6 / 1.8 / 1.9TDi etc which all ride higher than the VRS. Also the 1.8T is (I think) the 4x4 version and again different from the 1.8T VRS. It's difficult because it seems even when proper garages do a search for parts even if they enter the reg number of a VRS, the search results give them the part number of non-VRS springs which is why it's sp easy to get the wrong ones by mistake (which is how I expect my car ended up with one side hiher than the pther when I bought it. To get around this I got a set of 4 H&R -20mm springs for the same cost of what would have been just 2 offical VRS ones. However I wouldn't recommend this as on my car at least they are too strong for the shocks which means when you hit a bump the front tends to bounce up too far which feel realy bad. Best to bite the bullet and get proper VRS ones from Skoda, or if you go aftermarket also replace the shocks too.

Do you mean you used non-OEM springs? If so that would explain it. Pretty much only official Skoda dealers (in the UK at least) can supply the correct VRS springs. A lot of other places will look up a part code but it won't be right for the VRS. If you look at my post #16 the front springs should have 4 yellow and 1 pink dot on them (like the lower one in the picture).

Just to add, if it's gone brittle be aware of the possibility of parts of it snapping off and falling down the metal tube into the engine when you try pulling it off.

Thanks guys - I'll try bleeding it again.

Just fitted the new caliper.... Good news is that the squeak has gone and the handlebrake lever feels much smoother to apply now. Only bad thing is that the brake pedal feels slightly softer now. I can still get the ABS to come on if I press it hard, but it's definitely not quite as firm as before. I did lose a bit of fluid when swapping the calipers but have bled it afterwards using an Ezi-bleed. The fluid was only changed about a year ago anyway and so there's not much difference in colour. I used about 100-150ml I'd guess and it was tricking out with no bubbles. I'll keep an eye on the fluid level over the next few days but should I be worried?

devonutopia, I doubt it. I removed my rear caliper just now with no wind-back (just had to wiggle it a little).

Another question has come to mind - what fluid would a Skoda dealer have used when they changed the fluid last ime - I'm guessing DOT4? I want to get the right type to top up with. Edit - actually ignore - I'd read on google not to mix 4 and 5.1 but I think they meant 4 and 5. I take it I can top up with dot4 OK?

Thanks guys, but the disks and pads were replaced less than a year ago so I hope I can keep using them.

Hi, I want to fit replacement rear calipers to my car tomorrow but I've never really done any work on brakes before so know pretty much nothing about how to do this. I found a post by Bowders http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/246642-what-size-flare-nut-spanner-for-rear-brake-calliper/?p=2894142 which helps, but I still have a couple more questions. I have a socket and spanner set but no specalist tools.... I take it I need to buy an ezi-bleed kit? I'm a bit worried if I disconnect the brake hose will the fluid come shooting out? As the replacement calipers are brand new will I need a wind back tool (haven't got one of those either)? Anything else I need to buy? If anyone has any other tips or picture/video guides that would be great too - thanks!

I've got the same problem I think on my car. A year ago the back left brake was squeaking when driving slowly and there was a lot more brake dust on the back wheels than the front. A garage changed the disks and pads and said to keep an eye on it. Things did get a bit better for a couple of months but now both back wheels have a lot of brake dust and the squeaking is back again. My hand brake lever does have a little slack but only for about a centrimetre. The first thing I did was fit the VW Sharon helper springs but this didn't seem to make any difference really. Now I've just got replacement calipers off ebay and will let you know if they sort out the problem.

Thanks Andy, while the oval shape looks great on Audi RS4s etc, I think it looks wrong having an oval shape in a rectangular cut out on the rear bumper on an Octavia.

Hi, could someone post a picture of the tailpipe design of the Milltek cat-back resonated exhaust (mil-SSXSK003), it's described as "Stealth" but I can't find any pictures. I think the Mk1 Milltek has a single oval pipe which I don't like the look of as much. I like the square OEM look of my current one but wouldn't mind a twin pipe design like the Mk1 Audi S3 or Mk2 VRS....

Thanks - after I posted this I found a couple of threads saying that the Eibach doesn't fit properly out of the box and that you need to modify it - so I was coming round to the R32 front / Neuspeed rear idea anyway.

Hi, I think I'm going to get an anti roll bar set for my Octavia VRS. I've seen an Eibach 22mm front & 25mm rear set for a good price. Does anyone here run this setup? If so how is the quality and ease of fitting? I'm hoping for less body roll and a little less understeer but not too much. My only worry is that fitting both front and rear may not improve the understeer? Or it looks like I could get an R32 front and Neuspeed rear for about the same price. Which would be better? Thanks.