Is the rear suspension the same on 4x4 Octavias (not Scout) as it is on regulars? I noticed that the rear of my 4x4 seems to sit lower than it does on pictures I've seen of them on the internet. The wheels look closer to the arches than I think they should be. The reason I ask is because the rear suspension was changed shortly before I bought the car and it may be possible that the parts from the regular Octavia were fitted, if they are different. It would certainly also explain the extra wear on the inside of my rear tyres.

Or I could just be imagining things

Photos may be useful for comparison purposes.

Yes, I will add some when I get it back from its service.

No its not the same as a standard Octavia - It is raised by 23mm and the same as the Scout (the additional height on the Scout of 17mm over and above that on the 4x4 is from a greater wheel radius as a result of a larger diameter wheel and tyre combination).

whe I bought mine I understood the rear at least was "heavy duty"

whe I bought mine I understood the rear at least was "heavy duty"

That's what I thought. The ride height just doesn't look right to me. 23mm missing seems about right.

I had a look on Euro Car Parts and they don't seem to distinguish between the 4x4 and FWD Octavia's as far as the suspension parts are concerned.

Pics tomorrow.

Just got it from Dealer (January 2012)

Fully loaded

Edited 16 November, 201213 yr by Yorkshire

That does appear to sit considerably higher than a standard octy estate.

You can spot the 4x4 Octy's a mile off with their jacked up suspension, well before you can read the 4x4 badge on the boot.

There are quite a few around where I live, they do look a little odd with their 16" alloy wheels and are always filthy!

I can hear the 'vRS gang' now! Being able to get your fingers between the tyre and the bodywork is classed as a punishable offence

4x4 sits higher than normal car.

Scout has "rough road package" - heavier suspension, protection of handbrake cables etc...

In Europe the 4x4 and rough road package can be specified seperately on most models. In the UK they both come on the Scout.

Not great pics, but a couple of 4x4 models with 15" wheels, which I agree do look a little bit odd.

I had MAD Helper Springs fitted to the rear on mine but they only come into play under load, which wasn't the case in this pic as both the boot and roof box were empty.

Another with winter wheels/tyres, but same size as the summer fit...

Edit: The wear on the inside of your rears may be resolved by a lazer geometry wheel allignment.

Edited 17 November, 201213 yr by Rab-k

Thanks all, picture as promised:

Yeah, yeah, sucky trims. Winter steels.

I had a chat about it with the place that did my service, a Skoda specialist and they said its not possible that I've got the wrong shocks on as the suspension setup for the 4x4 is different to the regular. Though he did agree it didn't look quite the same as the 1.9 4x4 Octavia he had in his forecourt.

In any case, I've got the car booked in for 4 wheel alignment at ABC Car Services, which I found recommended on these forums.

Edited 17 November, 201213 yr by Huskoda

It is the springs you need to be asking about ..........

No its not the same as a standard Octavia - It is raised by 23mm and the same as the Scout (the additional height on the Scout of 17mm over and above that on the 4x4 is from a greater wheel radius as a result of a larger diameter wheel and tyre combination).

Every day a school day... although (sad as I am) I checked and the diameter of the 205/60 R15 on the 4x4 (627.0mm) is 29.8mm less than the diameter of the 225/50 R17 on the Scout (656.8mm), which by my calculations means the Scout sits 14.9mm higher than the 4x4, and not 17mm as stated in the brochure. Unless the extra 2.1mm comes from somewhere other than the larger tyre/wheel combo?

Not that I'm complaining, tyres for the Scout cost 50-100% more than those for the 4x4!

You can spot the 4x4 Octy's a mile off with their jacked up suspension, well before you can read the 4x4 badge on the boot.

I can hear the 'vRS gang' now! Being able to get your fingers between the tyre and the bodywork is classed as a punishable offence

Can just squeeze my little finger in front of the tyre when turned in! And the tyres were only £100 each when I got them. Seem to last OK, but tread is deep and diameter nominally 677.7mm.. Not even sure they would fit on a Superb Outdoor which has no height advantage, although its the front that's the constraint on the Octavia.

4x4 sits higher than normal car.

Scout has "rough road package" - heavier suspension, protection of handbrake cables etc...

In Europe the 4x4 and rough road package can be specified seperately on most models. In the UK they both come on the Scout.

Again not always the case from what I understand - my 4x4, when checked using the options decoder, has the Rough Road Package and is a UK car...???

It also has quite a lot of underbody protection along it;s length, inlcuding of the cables etc.

However, it was a dealer ex-demo so IS specced up quite considerably!

Thanks all, picture as promised:

Yeah, yeah, sucky trims. Winter steels.

I had a chat about it with the place that did my service, a Skoda specialist and they said its not possible that I've got the wrong shocks on as the suspension setup for the 4x4 is different to the regular. Though he did agree it didn't look quite the same as the 1.9 4x4 Octavia he had in his forecourt.

In any case, I've got the car booked in for 4 wheel alignment at ABC Car Services, which I found recommended on these forums.

Mines a 2.0PD so proabbaly not a fair comparison but I could measure the centre of wheel to arch distance for you if you like as it's give a guide (maybe get one of the guys on here to do the same with a 1.9?)

Mine is a 2.0 PD, the indy had a 1.9 in his forecourt, so yes, that would be appreciated. Ill get my measurements up.

And I meant springs when I said shocks in 12

Ok, measuring the distance from the centre of the rear wheels to arch:

Left 382mm, right 377mm.

Ok, measuring the distance from the centre of the rear wheels to arch:

Left 382mm, right 377mm.

Hi there,

That does look low compared to mine... Measurements below for front and rear from rear arch to centre of wheel for my 4x4 2.0PD 07 plate on 16" 205/55/16 Apollons:

Front Left: 411mm

Front Right: 413mm

Back Left: 420mm

Back Right: 415mm

They might be slightly out as I measured quickly late last night but they aren't 40mm out and I little in the boot but a pretty full tank of fuel. The 40mm difference is is

Thanks. That does kinda show its way out. Im the same as you, with a clear boot (all tools in the side pockets) and a near full tank of fuel.

So now what. Get the springs replaced? Should I even care (other than the wheel alignment I'm getting done).

You planning on going up farm tracks, or venturing out if more than 6" of snow on the roads? If not, then I wouldn't bother TBH.