Hi guys, I thought I'd post this in here as it would get the most views. I accidentally drunkenly bought some coilovers last weekend (don't ask)and I wondered ifanyone in the Essex, Kent,Herts area would help me fit them or should I say fit them with me helping. I can offer beer tokens for your help and can travel any where in this area. I am eager to do a bit more on the car myself but lack the confidence to take on such a task on my own. Any offers of help would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Howard.

For a beginner its not an easy setup to fit.... I learnt this! Hardest part is splitting the hub and getting the standard front shocks out! Refit is simple!

Takes a bit of sussing out especially for a noob!

They're not Weitecs are they? AmD in Thurrock were doing supply and fit for £600 including 4wheel alignment, couldve just got the whole lot done there.

Have you got new topmounts and bolts to fit with them

For a beginner its not an easy setup to fit.... I learnt this! Hardest part is splitting the hub and getting the standard front shocks out! Refit is simple!

Takes a bit of sussing out especially for a noob!

Not if you buy the simple VW tool that seperate the shock( £10) used mine lots of times.

like this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Audi-Front-Shock-Absorber-Tube-Strut-Suspension-Spreader-Socket-Tool-/260985953479?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item3cc3f99cc7

I manufactured one from an 8mm allen key after a struggle lol

No I didn't buy Weitecs. I drunkenly put a low bid on some cheapo's on the bay and awoke the on Sunday morning to find it had been accepted lol. I have new top mounts, bearings and rear bump stops ready to go on. I take it that it would be easier to use new nuts rather than stripping them off the original struts in case any sheer etc. Does any one have a list of nuts that are needed?

And a morning bump for anyone to help

There's a thread somewhere I think either Bowders or Billy did it a couple of years ago, it lists everything you need (new nuts etc) and the order in which they fit on the new strut. Might be in the Octavia guides section

EDIT: Just found it, Bodge did it:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/134489-strut-shock-replacementrebuild-information/page__p__1684172__fromsearch__1&

Won't it be better to try and sell the cheap ones on hopefully for a profit and put the cash towards a better set?

I suppose it would, but I've got them now (they just arrived) and they don't look too bad and for the money I can't really complain. I have checked and they get reasonable reviews from other sites i've looked at. I won't mention the name so not to start a war on here lol.

Go on mention the name lol, its what works best for you that counts lol

Lol Raf. Well lets just say its not JOM ha ha. I know of a couple people that have them fitted on here and have no complaints for the money. If I can't find anyone willing to help on here then i'll just get my local garage to fit them for me. But just our of interest I phoned my local VAG (experts) and the chap asked me what coilovers were?!? So I explained and told him i'd supply all my own parts and that it was just a price for fitting I required. He still sounded confused but said he come back to me - TBH I don't hold out much hope lol.

It's just the same as having new OEM shocks and springs fitted front and back.

A place that does them all the time should be able to fit coilovers in under 40 mins per corner so just over two and a half hours in total, then it needs to have the wheels aligned so another 40 mins or so for that.

Depending on their hourly labour rates you're probably looking at £150-£170 or so for the fitting and alignment.

Well they just came back to me with 4 hrs labour @ £50.00 per hour + VAT lol.

Sounds about right. AmD do the fitting and alignment for £100+ VAT but I think thats only if you buy the parts through them as well. Worth a try though if your local place is a bit expensive.

http://www.amdessex.com/special.offers.cfm

I spoke to my trusted garage today and they said they could fit them for me for £160 which is good. But would still prefer to have a go with help myself. So an evening bump for tonight.

Rears are simple! Start with them!

Even if you can only fit the rears at least you'll cut labour charge in half

I haven't tried fitting a set to my Octavia yet, but having fit them to multiple Mk4 Golfs with very limited tools I really don't think you'd have too much of a problem mate.

The fronts can be irritating because of the way the shocks mount into the hub but all in all they're really not that hard to do. Me and a mate got a full set done in an evening. Just depends how easy any bolts etc are to free off!

I've just changed my shocks and springs all round. A basic but simple tip is : do front OR back in one go, as opposed to doing a side at a time.

what cheapies are they?@ alot of cheap coilovers do not have the vRS attachment for the droplinks. that aint raceland or gmaxx are they?

Yeah they are raceland. Why's that G?