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2004 VRS estate front shocks - never known a car like it!

martinfr
in Skoda Octavia Mk1 (1996-2004)

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Hi guys

 

Searching through the forum I can see many of us have found the same front shock confusion related to drop link brackets/stroke length/etc. Shocks like the Monroe E4947 get mentioned a lot  but the manufacturer says they are for the slightly higher 4x4 version (not the VRS). Even Sachs seem to list multiple options for the VRS estate (315 087 or maybe 200 954?). Even my main dealer can't decide whether it's 1J0413031CM or JZW413031N.

 

As many here have discovered, Eurocarparts happily sell the wrong version without the drop link attachment.

 

I have never had a car cause me so much confusion on front shocks!

 

I am after standard ride quality and have had good experience with both Sachs and Monroe products so am leaning towards them - does anyone have the definitive codes for their VRS estate front shocks? I am not going to spend the extra on Bilsteins or coilovers.

 

(ps I am currently getting a recommendation of Monroe 16731 - I think this is wrong - has anyone else used this one?)

 

Cheers

Martin

 

PS-Just so I am putting something back, I fitted the following on the rear suspension and they work great:

2* Sachs 556273 rear shocks
2* Febi 18380 rear bump stops (105mm)
2* Lemforder 3526901 rear top mounts
 

 

10 hours ago, martinfr said:

Searching through the forum I can see many of us have found the same front shock confusion related to drop link brackets/stroke length/etc. Shocks like the Monroe E4947 get mentioned a lot  but the manufacturer says they are for the slightly higher 4x4 version (not the VRS). Even Sachs seem to list multiple options for the VRS estate (315 087 or maybe 200 954?). Even my main dealer can't decide whether it's 1J0413031CM or JZW413031N.

 

According to the Skoda online parts catalogue 

 

http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/OCT/year/2004/drive_standart/252/hg_ug/411/subcategory/411000/part_id/2561497/lang/e

 

the OEM part number 1J0413031CM is described as:

 

shock absorbers
for sports suspension
Model data: PR-G85

 

whereas the OEM part number JZW413031N is described as:

 

gas shock absorber 'eco'
economy
(use in pairs only)
Model data: PR-G85

 

Presumably the OEM part number 1J0413031CM is more expensive and better quality. At least the dealer managed to reduce the choice to just two OEM part numbers.

 

According to autodoc.co.uk Bilstein B4 22-045744 replaces the following OEM part numbers:

 

 

A seller on ebay are listing a pair of Bilstein 22-045744 for £60.57

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1Pz-Front-Shock-Absorber-BILSTEIN-22-045744/173734709604?epid=248702812&hash=item2873654964:g:SZ8AAOSwUAJdI2z-

Edited by Carlston

  • Author

Thanks Carlston - great bit of investigation and a great price for Bilstein. I had only seen the more expensive B6 and B8 dampers listed for a MK1 VRS so that is really interesting - might check they are still shipping from Italy before pulling the trigger.

 

Cheers!

On 30/03/2020 at 21:17, Carlston said:

A seller on ebay are listing a pair of Bilstein 22-045744 for £60.57

 

Not sure that's a pair - the title says "1Pz".

 

There have been threads on this subject before and I thought the previous conclusion was that there weren't any lower range (B4) Bilsteins available. Maybe LCR/S3/TT/R32 fitment ones are the same/close enough though?

11 minutes ago, petrolbloke said:

 

Not sure that's a pair - the title says "1Pz".

 

 

It looks like you are correct and the seller is using underhand tactics by showing a photo of two shocks.

 

1Pz may be an abbreviation in Italian for 1 pezzo (or 1 piece in English).

 

The listing is on an English version of Ebay, so the seller should be listing the item in English not Italian.

  • Author

None of the Bilstein info I can find out there makes it certain that a B4 shock exists for the VRS. Even Bilstein say they only do a shock for the standard models.

 

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/products/22-045744

 

I did find more SACHS information. Allegedly both  315 087 and 200 954 will fit. The second one is described as 'Heavy Duty/Twin Tube' (which is strange because I thought mono-tube shocks were more reliable under stress). I can't find any info on why the second one is 'heavy duty' so if anyone knows I'd be very happy to be educated 🙂

 

However a SACHS dealer couldn't give certainty on this and couldn't get the factory part numbers to match...

 

Can anyone quote a partnum/brand that they have actually fitted with no issues to the front of a VRS estate? Don't think I have yet found a thread with a definitive 'I fitted a SACHS/MONROE/KYB front shock and it worked....'. Not surprising I guess as most people either seem to go stock Skoda (very expensive for me as my local TPS won't serve me last time I tried) or coilovers.

 

Cheers!

4 minutes ago, martinfr said:

None of the Bilstein info I can find out there makes it certain that a B4 shock exists for the VRS. Even Bilstein say they only do a shock for the standard models.

 

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/products/22-045744

 

I did find more SACHS information. Allegedly both  315 087 and 200 954 will fit. The second one is described as 'Heavy Duty/Twin Tube' (which is strange because I thought mono-tube shocks were more reliable under stress). I can't find any info on why the second one is 'heavy duty' so if anyone knows I'd be very happy to be educated 🙂

 

 

Heavy duty aftermarket shocks may be for the 4x4 version.

i seem to recall there was a "rough road" option pack available in some regions? which was basically suspension changes to make it a bit smoother and less prone to breaking itself driving on crap roads?

 

that may be the "heavy duty" also?

  • Author

That does make sense - I'm guessing the 4x4 sits on different length springs so in theory the shock might have a different stroke. Does anyone know if the 4x4 has the droplink bracket that's missing on so many shocks?

 

Surprised we don't get the crap road version in the UK! 🙂

  • Author

Thanks everyone for all the input. Looking at all the diagrams and all the info I have drawn the following conclusions:

 

  • The only VRS front shock part number I am absolutely sure about is 1J0413031CM. It is really hard to consistently get a cross-ref on this from Sachs/Boge/KYB etc.

 

  • I believe part number JZW413031N would fit (the budget option from VAG), but it is listed for so many lower spec versions of the platform that I suspect it is a more generic shock.

 

  • When you try and cross reference 1J0413031CM or JZW413031N for other manufacturers like Bilstein/Boge/KYB/Sachs/etc, most of them have based their info on the budget shock which is why they list it for all the lower spec models of Octavia (like the 1.8T) but not the 180bhp VRS.

 

  • This leads to confusion like the Bilstein B4 B4 22-045744 matching on the part numbers, but not being listed as suitable for the VRS. (I suspect it would fit just fine).

 

  • The Sachs catalogue says 315087 (or 200954) are definitely correct for a VRS, but from pictures I’ve seen I think they are totally wrong as they lack the droplink bracket.

 

  • I think the most relevant diagram is this one:

http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/OCT/year/2004/drive_standart/252/hg_ug/411/subcategory/411000/part_id/2561497/lang/e#sec_22A

 

 

Conclusion

If I don’t want coilovers or higher spec(cost) suspension then front shocks are really hard for this car! Most enthusiasts have either gone back to stock, gone coilovers or upgraded to more expensive parts like the Bilstein B6.

 

Since I can’t find definitive information on whether more ‘value’ shocks like KYB, Boge, Sachs,Monroe etc would fit the VRS, I think I will wait until lockdown is over and go with factory parts.

 

If I find anything better I’ll let everyone know!

 

Thanks again

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