My Octavia 2 is desperately in need of new rear shockers before its MOT later this month.

I was hoping to take a wheel off and have a look what sort of a job it is, but came home today and the water company have dug up the footpath and I can't get into my drive.

 

I need to order them asap if I am going to do the job myself, so could anyone advise if it is straightforward. Do they run inside the coil springs, or separate to them and is it worth replacing the top mounts at the same time? (It has done 110k miles)

 

It is only used for normal commuting etc, so I was looking at the KYB gas replacements if anyone has an opinion on these.

 

Many thanks. 

Edited 3 April, 201412 yr by DaveCH

the rear shocks are really easy to do but you need to remove the spring to access the shock absorber bolt, no need to change the rear mount as it doesn't really move but you may want to inspect your bump stops and these are worth replacing if they look a bit crumbly

 

1. Remove the rear wheel.

2. Put a jack under the control arm below the spring. Wind it on slightly to support the arm. Don’t jack it up so it starts to support the car!

3. Remove the 18mm bolt on the outermost side of the control arm. 

4. Undo the jack. This will completely release the control arm and allow you to take the spring out with ease.

5. Remove the 21 mm bolt holding the bottom of the stock strut to the hub.

6. Remove the 2 No. 16mm bolts at the top of the strut and then remove the strut.

7. Undo the original top mount bolt by holding the strut spindle with some grips and using a deep socket.

8. Assemble the new strut with the original top mount.

9. Fitting is the reverse of the removal. 

Edited 3 April, 201412 yr by wiilydog

I have just replaced mine they don't run in the springs but you will have to remove the springs to get the lower bolt out.

 

edit, as above!

Brilliant.

 

Many thanks .

I have just replaced mine they don't run in the springs but you will have to remove the springs to get the lower bolt out.

 

edit, as above!

No you don't.

 

IIRC, you undo the bolt but leave it in the damper, then compress, extend or twist the damper so the bolt isn't obstructed by the spring.

I tried that but the bolt hit the spring before it was fully undone at least 10mm thread still to undo. 

I tried that but the bolt hit the spring before it was fully undone at least 10mm thread still to undo. 

How odd.

 

I have Koni yellows on the rear & just undo the bottom bolt so I can compress & adjust.  /shrugs shoulders & scratches head

Well, I followed Wiilydog's instructions and it was pretty easy, until 2 bolts to go and.............................................................................................

 

It all went wrong..........................

I managed to damage the threads on the 21mm bolt holding the bottom shock absorber mount to the hub arm.

 

Right I thought, new bolt and a tap to clean out the threads. £3 new bolt, £10 for a tap.  Good theory, but now I have a broken tap stuck in the hub arm. I can't believe I sheared off a steel tap with a 10ml spanner!

So it looks like a new hub now. (Why didn't I just let the garage do it?)

Skoda part is £250 after discount, but there are used items about.

Does anyone know if any of the Audi/VW range shares the same rear hub set up as a 1Z3 2.0TDI?

 

I hope I can salvage something from this very expensive lesson.

trying looking for a rear hub from a used Golf Mk5 as the Octavia Mk2 is based on Golf Mk5