Not sure if this is the right place to ask, just been told my Octavia has a small fracture in one of the rear springs. Due to paranoia i would like this sorted ASAP, my usual garage can't do anything until a week friday. Can anyone recommend someone in either Cheltenham or Chester?

do it yourself its a 20 min job buddy

i might consider but for the following. I probably haven't got the right tools, and have time issues.

mate jack car up on axle stands

undo 15mm lower shoch bolt rear beam will drop slightly so have a jack under it spring pull out put new one in. push the beam up so the shock lines up bolt in wheel on job done easy

might have a look tomorrow, i don't have axle stands but can be sorted reasonably cheaply.

Looking at the crap pictures in the haynes book, am i right in thinking that nothing is really holding the spring in? just the weight of the car when it is on the ground and the shock holding the beam on so when you raise the car the the spring doesn't fall out?

Looking at the pictures, am i right in thinking that either undo the bolt or compress the spring? both will work?

yep only the weight of the car holds it in. spring compressor would be easy as you dont have to undo anything 10 min job buddy

replace both springs buddy always as a pair