I have a 2002 octavia vrs on 35mm pro sport lowering springs. I have owned the car 5 year so far and put the springs on first few months of ownership. The problem i have is that the back has always been considerably lower than the front and now i think it has got worse because it can scrape over things and feels like it can bottom out at back if going fast enough over bumps with my 11 and 8 year old in the back, i do have a few light gardening tools and a trolley jack in the boot but nothing else. Can't even get rear wheel alignment done because the back has dropped that much. Just had a mot not long ago and been looked over. Do i just replace back springs with 25 30mm or do you replace all 4, thw front is fine and the thing is I'm trying not to spend money on it if i don't need to as it has 193,000 on clock and i have a baby on the way so need to to be a bit more practical but I'm not getting rid of it, it's my pride and joy.

 

Did you change the shocks when you did the springs?

 

im going to ask the obvious first questions -

where did you get the springs?

were they vrs specific or mk4 golf platform compatible?

 

9/10 times this happens people its because the seller sold them mk4 golf springs because "shur theyre all the same chassis they fit" but the load ratings are completely wrong as the octy back end is alot heavier.

 

i wouldnt be surprised its getting worse tbh, because if im right above, theyre under lot more strain than designed for.

On 29/02/2020 at 14:14, StevesTruck said:

Did you change the shocks when you did the springs?

 

That wouldn't make a difference; the dampers don't control the ride height,

On 29/02/2020 at 13:55, WoodyVRSMK1 said:

Can't even get rear wheel alignment done because the back has dropped that much

Not because there is nothing actually adjustable on the rear torsion beam? (there isn't, so there's no point in doing measurements unless you think the suspension is bent or the bushes are worn unevenly)

Yeah, that's what I thought when I changed all my springs and the front shocks then ended up with reverse rake.

On 29/02/2020 at 14:14, StevesTruck said:

Did you change the shocks when you did the springs?

 

Yeah i changed all shocks. Just from euro car parts tho

 

On 03/03/2020 at 12:15, StevesTruck said:

Yeah, that's what I thought when I changed all my springs and the front shocks then ended up with reverse rake.

Revers rake?

On 03/03/2020 at 12:01, KenONeill said:

Not because there is nothing actually adjustable on the rear torsion beam? (there isn't, so there's no point in doing measurements unless you think the suspension is bent or the bushes are worn 

Really not sure it has passed mot and i just replaced rear axle bushes and it has been fully looked over

On 03/03/2020 at 12:15, StevesTruck said:

Yeah, that's what I thought when I changed all my springs and the front shocks then ended up with reverse rake.

Reverse rake? Sorry never heard of that

Hi all, thanks for all the replies. I obviously don't know how to use this properly yet!

 

My shocks were changed for new ones when i got springs.

 

Cars had all bushes replaced incuding rear axle bushes and nothing looks bent and has been properly looked over. 

 

What does reverse rake mean sorry?

 

The springs were baught through ebay for my octavia but that does make alot of sence if they are for somethong else like a mk4 golf and are not designed for weight of my car. It's fine with no one in back but soon as there's any kids in back or boots filled thats when i get problems with it scraping over thinhgs and bottoming out. Not wanting to go buy new springs if that's not the problem

35 minutes ago, WoodyVRSMK1 said:

What does reverse rake mean sorry?

"Rake" is when the front ride height is lower than the rear, "Reverse rake" (also called "motorboat rake" by some sources) should now be obvious, In a practical sense it tends to mean that the rear springs are too soft or actually broken.

Yeah that makes sense just never herd of that term before. Thanks for clearing that up.