hi Guys

 

Front OS spring broke the other day, so needs replacing. (only last 2 inches off the bottom of the spring have broken)

I like to think I'm a fairly competent DIYer and intend on replacing both front springs and top mounts at the same time.

Is this do-able?

 

Would appreciate any how to guides and thoughts on OEM vs aftermarket.

Any special tools required?

Will car need alignment afterwards etc.

 

Car is 2008 with 134,000 miles.

 

Cheers

I did the front shocks on mine and ended changing a drop link and ball joint on one side as both sheared off when I tried to remove the bolts.

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Thanks for the reply trundlenut, has considered the drop links, so might as well include them in the parts list so they are to hand.

Hadn't considered the ball joints though, so will play that one by ear.

 

Did you fit OEM or aftermarket parts?

Spring compressors (obviously) and a puller for the wiper arms might be useful (top mount bolts are under the scuttle trim).

Spring compressors (obviously) and a puller for the wiper arms might be useful (top mount bolts are under the scuttle trim).

And a widget to spread the hub where the shocker sits. Assuming you have to remove the shock.

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Just had same done on my vRS. As with trundlenut the drop link and ball joint were also replaced as they were showing signs of wear too.

Garage did mine for me but Octy. Haynes manual has a guide in it. I expect Scout will be similar to other models.

Edited 13 March, 201610 yr by Sarge

Cheers guys.

Got compressors and a small puller (hopefully puller not needed but knowing my luck...)

Intending to take whole strut/leg off the car, replace string, top mount/bearing and refit.

 

Anyone know how many hours a garage would reckon for both sides (assuming droplinks and balljoints included)?

just trying to gauge how long...

 

Any opinions/preferences on OEM vs aftermarket parts?

Be about an hour or so to change two front springs.

I hate factory springs (all five of them)    I'd go for  Lesjofors   best swedish steel

You might want to also consider popping some new front shocks on at the same time if they have done 134k. You will also need some spline bits for the pinch bolt and drop links too.

Thanks again for all of the replies.

Got splines etc

 

Looked up the lesjofors springs on the GSF website, cheaper than Sachs on EuroCarParts.

For pairs of

• lesjofors springs
• boge struts,
• ruville top mounts
• "premium" drop links - no manufacturer specified
• TRW balll joints

that adds up to around £400 anyone got a promo code?

 

Ideally only want to fit parts that are expected to have a decent life expectancy.

Can these parts be bettered?

 

@Tech1e

Only an hour to change both springs, I was thinking that this job is going to take me a whole day!

 

Is wheel alignment recommended afterwards or not so long as the strut positions are marked before removal and realigned?

Thanks again for all of the replies.

Got splines etc

Looked up the lesjofors springs on the GSF website, cheaper than Sachs on EuroCarParts.

For pairs of

• lesjofors springs
• boge struts,
• ruville top mounts
• "premium" drop links - no manufacturer specified
• TRW balll joints

that adds up to around £400 anyone got a promo code?

Ideally only want to fit parts that are expected to have a decent life expectancy.

Can these parts be bettered?

@Tech1e

Only an hour to change both springs, I was thinking that this job is going to take me a whole day!

Is wheel alignment recommended afterwards or not so long as the strut positions are marked before removal and realigned?

Check with ecp/gsf that the springs are definitely correct. The Scout/4x4 has different suspension from other Octavias. When I did my shocks I got them from TPS as ecp and gsf didn't do the correct ones.

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@Tech1e

Only an hour to change both springs, I was thinking that this job is going to take me a whole day!

 

You asked how long a garage would take to change them. Can't say I know how fast you work or what tools and equipment you have.

@Tech1e
Wasn't a criticism just thought it would take even a garage longer than that, but highlights how slow I am!

If it's only an hour or even 2, I might consider letting a garage to do the job. Just don't know a local garage I feel that I can trust (Crewe, Cheshire).

 

Thanks trundlenut, did enter reg on GSF and spring info does state Scout fitment.

 

Getting the correct parts is one of the things i'm concerned about, especially if I do the job and find that I have the wrong parts after the car is stripped.

Don't rule out eBay for parts, bilstein b4 shocks, kilen springs, skf top mounts are all good OEM replacement parts.

@Tech1e

Wasn't a criticism just thought it would take even a garage longer than that, but highlights how slow I am!

If it's only an hour or even 2, I might consider letting a garage to do the job. Just don't know a local garage I feel that I can trust (Crewe, Cheshire).

Thanks trundlenut, did enter reg on GSF and spring info does state Scout fitment.

Getting the correct parts is one of the things i'm concerned about, especially if I do the job and find that I have the wrong parts after the car is stripped.

Ring them to double check, they listed shocks for my 4x4, but when I rang with the part number it turned out that they didn't do suitable ones.

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My dealer was allowing two hours per side.

I've got same problem, couple of inches broken off the bottom, Local indy doing it for £100, I've never done a front spring before and i wouldn't know where to start so letting experts do it.. 

I did the front shocks on mine and ended changing a drop link and ball joint on one side as both sheared off when I tried to remove the bolts.

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Had mine done last year, also needed a drop link.

Mark

My dealer was allowing two hours per side.

They allowed 2 hrs per side but I was only charged 2 hrs labour for both front springs and an extra half an hour for the drop link.

They allowed 2 hrs per side but I was only charged 2 hrs labour for both front springs and an extra half an hour for the drop link.

Half an hour for a drop link they already had to undo half of anyhow, wow. Lol

Half an hour for a drop link they already had to undo half of anyhow, wow. Lol

Probably got the grinder out too reducing it to a 30 second job

Spring compressors (obviously) and a puller for the wiper arms might be useful (top mount bolts are under the scuttle trim).

You can just lift the plastic & get in with a ring spanner to the rear nuts.

 

Spreader (bolt with flats ground) for the hub.

 

A rope or similar to hold the LCA down.  Some people pull the hub off the CV joint on the RHS.  That needs a big mofo socket & a new nut.  I've managed undoing the lower ball joint and tying the LCA back.

 

The top nut of the struts often needs a rattle gun to loosen it.

 

I can do them in the workshop about 1.5 hours all up if it all works according to plan.  At home on jackstands, bent over, faffing about I'd allow 2hrs per side.

 

Definitely get an alignment (all 4 wheels)

Thanks for the info @brad1.8T.

Finally got around to getting the parts with the intention of replacing the springs etc on Friday.


Didn't get new nuts for driveshafts though - can I reuse the existing ones - or reuse them temporarily - that's if I need to release the hub (as per haynes manual).


I've got OEM parts for top mount and bearing including new drop links inc. new bolts/nuts.

Going to stick with existing struts as visually they are fine, and existing ball joints.


I've got a pair of Lesjofors springs bought from GSF.

Trouble is I've managed to get the broken piece of spring out and have compared it to the new ones and there is an obvious difference in diameter.

I did phone GSF before ordering them and did double check that they were the correct ones before picking them up.

The boxes don't have the Lesjofors part number on so can't compare that way.

Having now checked the labels they state EOS 2.0 TFSI, 2.0TDI / JETTA 2.0 TDI 08/05-> no mention of Skoda nevermind Octavia!
The GSF site classes my car as:-

SKODA OCTAVIA 2.0 TDI 4x4 Diesel (07/06 - 05/10)

 

I've added a pic of the label and also a pic showing the difference between the OEM spring diameter and the new Lesjofors.

 

Does anyone have any comments to make about this - as I'm thinking that they can't be the correct springs, so reluctant to start the job/fit them.

 

Thanks

Thanks for the info @brad1.8T.

Finally got around to getting the parts with the intention of replacing the springs etc on Friday.

Didn't get new nuts for driveshafts though - can I reuse the existing ones - or reuse them temporarily - that's if I need to release the hub (as per haynes manual).

I've got OEM parts for top mount and bearing including new drop links inc. new bolts/nuts.

Going to stick with existing struts as visually they are fine, and existing ball joints.

I've got a pair of Lesjofors springs bought from GSF.

Trouble is I've managed to get the broken piece of spring out and have compared it to the new ones and there is an obvious difference in diameter.

I did phone GSF before ordering them and did double check that they were the correct ones before picking them up.

The boxes don't have the Lesjofors part number on so can't compare that way.

Having now checked the labels they state EOS 2.0 TFSI, 2.0TDI / JETTA 2.0 TDI 08/05-> no mention of Skoda nevermind Octavia!

The GSF site classes my car as:-

SKODA OCTAVIA 2.0 TDI 4x4 Diesel (07/06 - 05/10)

I've added a pic of the label and also a pic showing the difference between the OEM spring diameter and the new Lesjofors.

Does anyone have any comments to make about this - as I'm thinking that they can't be the correct springs, so reluctant to start the job/fit them.

Thanks

The lesjofors website lists those spring as being for cars without heavy duty suspension, so may well be wrong.

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