Hi all I have recently brought a Skoda Octavia SE L 2.0TDI 2016.

 

Has anyone lowered theirs as I'm planning to lower the car 30mm and put aftermarket 18" Alloys on. I would appreciate any help in how to remove the front Struts and as I cant seem to find any videos / manuals online. 

2 hours ago, LJW97 said:

Hi all I have recently brought a Skoda Octavia SE L 2.0TDI 2016.

 

Has anyone lowered theirs as I'm planning to lower the car 30mm and put aftermarket 18" Alloys on. I would appreciate any help in how to remove the front Struts and as I cant seem to find any videos / manuals online. 

 

Hello,

 

Not an SE but lowered my VRS, firstly if unsure its always best seeking help from a professional mechanic.

 

Process is similar to the manual for the mk2:

https://workshop-manuals.com/skoda/octavia-mk2/axles_steering/front_suspension_drive_shafts/wheel_suspension/removing_and_installing_the_suspension_strut/

 

This is by no means an instruction on how to do it, just a brief overview of the steps and items I removed when performing the work.

• First I sprayed all the bolts and the base of the strut where it sits into the arm with WD40 to assist loosening them.
• Disconnect the drop link from the shocker first by removing the bolt. Also, I advise unclipping the brake line so that it has more freedom to reduce any excessive tension being applied when removing the suspension (Note that you don't have to disconnect it from the actual brake to do this!)
• There were three bolts connecting the VRs brake assembly to the suspension arm that were required to be removed - I would imagine that this will be similar for the SE.
• Secure the brake assembly to ensure it does not fall - they are heavy so take care handling it.
• To make it all a bit easier to work on I removed the drive shaft from the hub side to stop any tension being applied at the joint to the gearbox when manipulating the strut assembly out from the car. BUT you'll need to make sure the brake assembly is supported in some way.
• Next lift up the cover to gain access to three bolts fastening the top mount to the car - I suggest marking with paint the position of the bolts prior to loosening so that you know they are correctly positioned during fitting back to the car.
• Once the three bolts are removed its should be a case of manipulating the unit out from the front arms.

Then from here its the usual method for clamping springs and removing the topmount etc. and work backwards to re-assemble.

 

 

 

 

I'm hoping I don't have to remove the drive shaft and that there will be enough room to manoeuvre the strut to get it out, I was able to do this on my Honda Civic it was just awkward.

4 hours ago, LJW97 said:

I'm hoping I don't have to remove the drive shaft and that there will be enough room to manoeuvre the strut to get it out, I was able to do this on my Honda Civic it was just awkward.

you can use a 24” long piece of 4x2 on a jack under the spring mount or drop link mount on the strut  and jack it up out of the strut carrier/hub. Make sure it is cable tied to the strut thoug because if it does come off you want to be out of the way. I’ve done a Vrs octy, scirocco and superb this way and has always worked a treat.

you will also need a special strut holder separator too. They on eBay. Or you can use and old 1/4” ratchet in the gap and ten it a quarter of a turn to open the strut carrier before you Jack it up out of the holder. Also a spline bit to undo the nut and bolt that hold the strut carrier together 

 

Edited 12 February, 20206 yr by Esseesse200

yeah I've seen this done on YouTube, I will give it a go this weekend. I have been told tho the suspension set up is the same on the VW Golf Mk7, Seat Leon and Audi A3 

18 hours ago, Esseesse200 said:

you can use a 24” long piece of 4x2 on a jack under the spring mount or drop link mount on the strut  and jack it up out of the strut carrier/hub. Make sure it is cable tied to the strut thoug because if it does come off you want to be out of the way. I’ve done a Vrs octy, scirocco and superb this way and has always worked a treat.

you will also need a special strut holder separator too. They on eBay. Or you can use and old 1/4” ratchet in the gap and ten it a quarter of a turn to open the strut carrier before you Jack it up out of the holder. Also a spline bit to undo the nut and bolt that hold the strut carrier together 

 

Is this the same way as this https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/axle-bolt-torque-specs.320850/#post-6662967?? I don't have a spreader tool but I've used chisels and screwdrivers in the past to spread the knuckle open. Last question where is the best place to put the axle stands when changing the front springs on the octavias?

3 minutes ago, LJW97 said:

Is this the same way as this https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/axle-bolt-torque-specs.320850/#post-6662967?? I don't have a spreader tool but I've used chisels and screwdrivers in the past to spread the knuckle open. Last question where is the best place to put the axle stands when changing the front springs on the octavias?

Yea that’s the way I’ve done it in the past.

axle stands generally under the rear or the bottom arm. Nader the donut bush 

When I did mine, I didn't need to remove the driveshafts. The most tricky bit is undoing the steering knuckle as you will see videos of people inserting a 1/4 inch drive ratchet into the back of it and turning it to lever it apart but the gap is a little tight for a 1/4 inch so it's tricky to keep it in. My car being a well used one required quite a lot more hammering than the YouTube video's show but I was able to do it in a few hours.