Good Afternoon Everyone,

 

Now I’m unsure if my suspension is just soft naturally or if something isn’t working as it should but it’s quite bouncy, if I sit on the lip of the boot the car doesn’t put up much fight.

 

Now.. what are my options. I’m not interested in coilovers, I don’t think the features would benefit me at all, plus I’m not interested in being able to adjust the ride height more then once! I’m after a firm but fair ride, something that resembles the newer Skodas I guess. 
 

Any recommendations will be extremely appreciated,

 

Thanks

 

Charlie

Had exactly the same problem with mine and ended up changing springs which made absolutely no difference. If I'd read this post first I'd have bought uprated ones, not the cheap crap from Ebay. Look at the very last post

 

1 hour ago, Vijay2018 said:

Had exactly the same problem with mine and ended up changing springs which made absolutely no difference. If I'd read this post first I'd have bought uprated ones, not the cheap crap from Ebay. Look at the very last post

 

That answers my question nicely, cheaper then I thought it would be too!

 

much appreciated!

I fitted Grayston helper springs to my MK1 Octavia, they are supplementary springs that fit up the inside of the existing coild springs and sit on a round stepped spacer that filles the hole in the lower wishbone, they were about £40 IIRC and served me well for over a decade, ride height about 1" higher, no noticeable change when unloaded but a massive difference when loaded.

 

dont be tempted by the plastic spring spacers.

 

On my MK2 I fitted the Lesjofors springs with the VAG part number for rough road countries or whatever they call it, they were ridiculously cheap but very good quality, both vehicles were transformed by the upgrades.

9 hours ago, J.R. said:

I fitted Grayston helper springs to my MK1 Octavia, they are supplementary springs that fit up the inside of the existing coild springs and sit on a round stepped spacer that filles the hole in the lower wishbone, they were about £40 IIRC and served me well for over a decade, ride height about 1" higher, no noticeable change when unloaded but a massive difference when loaded.

 

dont be tempted by the plastic spring spacers.

 

On my MK2 I fitted the Lesjofors springs with the VAG part number for rough road countries or whatever they call it, they were ridiculously cheap but very good quality, both vehicles were transformed by the upgrades.

 

I have some assistors to try, so I hope they work well for me too

Hi Guys, Dont mess about with the suspension of your car unless you really know what you are doing and know in advance exactly what you want to achieve. Get it wrong and you will ruin the handling and moreover any non OEM addition which isnt registered with your insurer could void the insurance cover. I used OEM uprated springs on the rear. I carry heavy loads and wanted to avoid the coil ends snapping off as is often the case with the weaker standard 1U2 springs. I read about the reinforced springs for caravan owners and people who tow trailers. I bought Kilen reinforced springs code: Kilen 63115. They are noticeably thicker than the standard Kilen 63105.  It lifted the car by about 2cm at the rear, but which also has a lowering effect at the front if unladen. Probably would be required to report the alteration, but as it is OEM and not bright yellow it wouldnt awaken any questions. I would advise against coilovers and shims etc. If your front suspension is spongy just invest in new shocks and springs and first of all check all the wishbone rubbers for play as they will also provide for a very bad ride. (Tell tale signs are things like uneven tire wear (inside tread section) and slight loss of control on entering and leaving roundabouts). Here is the link to the Kilen site. Click on catalogue and fill in the car specific details. (skip the swedish number plate info).

https://www.kilensprings.com/

The front springs are: Kilen 23105  I understand that Sachs also have a larger range of uprated springs and list the dimensions in their catalogue. Sachs supply a longer front coil. I dont know if the Sachs front spring is uprated/reinforced or just longer.

PS Kilen and Lesjofors are the same and have the same EAN

 

Just thought I'd update on the spring assistors. Fitted them on the weekend and first impressions, they've worked well on firming up the rear. Rear doesn't bounce anywhere near as easy now.

On 24/11/2019 at 23:08, Simplesoul said:

I bought Kilen reinforced springs code: Kilen 63115. They are noticeably thicker than the standard Kilen 63105.

 

According to the Kilen Online Catalogue, Kilen 63105 is linked to OE number 1J0511115BR.

 

If you look at the gknautomotive online catalogue, the only Skoda models that 1J0511115BR is linked to is the Rapid with the Spidan 87558 rear coil spring. This has length 334mm, thickness 11.5mm, diameter 112mm, weight 1.8kg.

 

The problem with Lesjofors/Kilen is that they don't give the dimensions of their springs. This makes it difficult to spot errors in their online catalogue.

 

Probably best to stick to spring manufacturers who do give the dimensions of their springs, such as Spidan and Suplex.

 

Spidan/Suplex appear to be the same springs.

 

Lesjofors/Kilen also appear to be the same springs.

Edited 10 December, 20196 yr by Carlston

@Carlston

 

You may be very right about errors in the catalogue and incorrect references to OEM equipment. However giving dimensions and weights is a good start, but it still doesnt guarantee that someone has put a wrong code in. Both catalogues should show this part to fit the Audi A3 also. The fact is, I wouldnt want the same OEM rear springs if they were free. They are .....rhymes with kite. Far too thin and obviously the heat tempering is not right for the dimensions and loads. After having replaced 3 springs and the same side twice, enough is enough and I went for the reinforced set. I know that the Kilen/Lesjofors 63115 is an excellent Heavy Duty Spring and would recommend it to any 1U2 owner. It wont awaken your insurance company as its not bright yellow and it will withstand towing and carting stuff about on bad roads. I find the handling is far better than previously and above all the ends dont snap off. As is with the original OEM part. I cannot comment on the 63105. I understand that the Sachs springs are good, but I dont know if Sachs actually make them themselves. Often the case with good automotive part brands. The enclosed link discusses further for those interested.... and as they say its always the last inch that snaps off.  https://www.ukpassats.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=86870

Spidan 56295, Suplex 31024, Sachs 996 559 are all made to replace Skoda OEM part number 1J0511115AE that the Skoda Octavia MK1 Estate uses as standard.

 

1J0511115AE has length 350mm, thickness 11.25mm, weight 1.75kg (according to the gknautomotive online catalogue).

 

In comparison, the standard rear spring that the Hatchback uses is length 343mm, thickness 11mm, weight 1.6kg and the Reinforced rear coil spring that the Hatchback uses is length 360mm, thickness 11.5mm, weight 1.9kg. Therefore, the Estate rear spring above would be a half-way house. Harder than the standard Hatchback rear spring, but softer than the Reinforced Hatchback rear spring.

Edited 10 December, 20196 yr by Carlston