My 2010 170TDI estate has 90K miles on the clock. It has the factory 'sports suspension' which is presume is lowered by 15mm. The rear shocks have been replaced a couple of years ago, and a recent test of the suspension indicates that all is well. It appears to be running stock original springs.

 

When I have more than two adult passengers it the car it grounds out on speed bumps and kerbs, taking a section of undertray off at times.

 

The ride height (ground to under the guard, empty except for 3/4 tank of fuel) is 280mm front and 265mm rear. I'm guessing the springs are getting 'tired' at this mileage.

 

Can I just replace the rear springs and get back to 'normality'? If so do I order 'standard springs' or those for my 'sports suspension'?

 

Parts I have looked at:

 

Bilstien B3 (part 36-199662, free length unknown)

Eibach (F11-15-007-15 'for sports suspension' free length unknown)

Sachs (994337 'std chassis', 362mm long)

 

Thanks in advance

Matt

Edited 21 February, 20179 yr by williamshatnerspants

See if you can find Nivomat shocks to fit the car. These use the energy they're dissipating as they hit bumps to pump themselves up to a set ride height regardless of the load in the car. The Superb III comes with them as an option on the combi. I'll certainly be looking when the time comes to replace the rear shocks on my car.

 

Also for those who've gone aftermarket with HID lights, self leveling suspension means no dazzling oncoming drivers too.

Edited 21 February, 20179 yr by psycholist

The ride height is primarily determined by the spring so you'll need to get the correct spring for your car. If you look at the option codes on the sticker in the boot, the PR code for the suspension option should be in there. This will give you an exact match to the correct replacement for your car.

 

If you're regularly carrying heavy loads or towing there's probably an uprated towing spring available too.

6 hours ago, psycholist said:

See if you can find Nivomat shocks to fit the car. These use the energy they're dissipating as they hit bumps to pump themselves up to a set ride height regardless of the load in the car. The Superb III comes with them as an option on the combi. I'll certainly be looking when the time comes to replace the rear shocks on my car.

 

Also for those who've gone aftermarket with HID lights, self leveling suspension means no dazzling oncoming drivers too.

 

Thanks! I had a look for them and their website says " Note: These can only be used as a direct replacement on vehicles that already have a Nivomat suspension from the factory. They are not for adapting to non-Nivomat factory suspensions." so I am a little nervous!

That's the big question with them for me too - they've never been officially fitted to the Superb II AFAIK, though other VW models do have them, so I suspect there is a high probability a version exists that bolts straight in, but the problem is making sure you're right before putting the money down - they're not cheap.

 

The coil springs may need to be changed to less stiff ones to account for the force the Nivomat shocks will add. Since the original choice of spring was a compromise on unladen vs. laden handling for the car anyway it is currently set stiffer than it needs to be for unladen use. My car certainly touches down a lot more when I stick a few people in and have a trailer fitted, so maintaining ride height would definitely be nice.

 

Swapping to air bags would be even more fun, but unfortunately more expensive. But being able to stick it to the ground to outdo the local Felt speccers around town (For anyone in the British Isles who hasn't heard the term, you've certainly seen the cars: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055908742) and jacking it up like an all road model for the odd trip off road while maintaining the correct ride height regardless of load would be ideal...

Excellent, felters. Never heard of that before, but we have plenty of them here in NZ too.

 

I wonder if another option would be spring spacers. All the rage in India where they can let you "enjoy a jerk free drive"

 

http://www.autokartz.com/index.php/product-detail?product_key=21106-skoda-superb-ground-clearance-kit

 

or perhaps something more trusted:

 

http://www.st-suspensions.de/weitec-spring-distance-kit-ha-20-mm-22520.html?typ=6045

 

Actually those are more expensive than new springs!

 

Some digging around seems to suggest that the Nivomat system was available on the Passat typ 3C which the Superb II is based on. Further digging on www.oemepc.com gets us some part numbers. http://www.oemepc.com/vw/part_single/catalog/vw/markt/RDW/modell/PA/year/2008/drive_standart/627/hg_ug/511/subcategory/511000/part_id/3705862/lang/e

 

The two possibilities are 3C0 513 049 BT and 3C0 513 049 CA. The first one is for weight ranges 2-6 (PR-0YB to PR-0YF) and the second is for weight ranges (PR-0YG to PR-0YL). From what I can see most of the PR codes related to suspension are the same between Passat and Superb.

 

A quick look on eBay suggests they're not cheap - around €400-500 per shock.

That diagram certainly looks like an excellent match for the rear shocks on my car - when I changed the bump stops I had to pull all those bits out. 

At that price it's cheaper than airbags, but not all that much :(... No need to find space to put the compressor and air tank in with Nivomat though.
http://www.airride.co.uk/air-suspension-kit-for-vehicles/kits-car/skoda/skoda-superb/skoda-superb-08-present/ 

Edited 21 February, 20179 yr by psycholist

Try Monroe "load levellers"

 

 

Edited 22 February, 20179 yr by lichfielddriver

 

1 hour ago, lichfielddriver said:

Try Monroe "load levellers"

 

 

 

 

I was looking through the Monroe catalogues and couldn't find them listed for the Superb. That said I didn't check for the Passat.

On 2/23/2017 at 02:25, chimaera said:

 

 

I was looking through the Monroe catalogues and couldn't find them listed for the Superb. That said I didn't check for the Passat.

 

Monroe is a US company and they don't sell any Skodas. I will send the Australian site an email as they'll know what fits. Thanks Lichfielddriver!

Edited 23 February, 20179 yr by williamshatnerspants

Just fitted Killin springs, what a difference, musta had that broken spring for a while😳. £54 off fleabay, piece o **** to fit, I'll update this in a few months to let you know how they do. One thing I did notice was that there's a wee sensor for the headlamp adjustment on the ns arm which separates when you drop the arm, it's a small metal tube crimped over 2 plastic ends, plastic has popped out of the crimp. I managed to bodge it back in but it needs taking out and done properly. Beware!