Hi There,

 

I have a 2015 Mk3 Octavia VRS estate and have bought a set of H&R lowering springs (lower 25mm from current). Garage who'll be fitting these has advised as it has active suspension, fitting these will require some fettling to the active suspension rod (front passenger side), essentially bending the rod by eye to suit how much the car has been lowered by. 

 

I've asked DPM performance where I bought springs if they're aware of a replacement rod as a workaround for this, to avoid garage having to fettle and set manually. Just wondering if anyone else has faced this issue when fitting lowering springs and if aware if a replacement rod is available? 

 

Also, I was considering spacers to fill arches a little. From posts on here, 12mm seems to be where to go. Interested if anyone who's fitted H&R lowering springs has had any issues with rubbing, fitting 12mm spacers? 

 

Any advice / guidance (especially on point 1) very much appreciated!

 

Many Thanks

David

The only cars that have something approaching active suspension is the cars with DCC, that’s a very rare option and even then there is no rod I’m aware of, the shocks are different but the coils are the same. Check that you definitely have DCC, if when you cycle through the drive modes and you get a Comfort mode then you have it, if you don’t have the Comfort mode then you don’t have it and there is nothing to worry about. I run 20mm front and 25mm rear spacers with H&R 40mm lowering springs and there is no rub at all.

 

Thanks Sasha,

 

Appreciate the swift response and the detail, thank you 😉. Definitely no comfort mode- not DCC. He showed me a small silver rod on front passenger side and said this would need to be adjusted once lowered. He had fitted lowering springs to a VW and faced the same issue. He wanted to check mine first and from what he saw- rod appears to be exact same and took a lot of fettling. Could be wrong of course, So basically, should be a straight swap of springs, no adjustments necessary?

 

That's a really sweet looking motor, great colour and sits just right- nice work. Very reassuring to know no issues with spacers- had heard mixed feedback on these and been advised could rub. With springs and spacers, mine should look just right. 

 

Thanks again for the feedback, really appreciated.

David

Sounds like the headlight self leveller, which is what I suspected but wanted to check as the DCC doesn’t have any additional hardware in that area. I haven’t adjusted mine and it’s been fine. There is another on the rear wishbone, passenger side. Once the car is lowered it’s preferable to sort the headlight aim and adapt the basic settings of the headlight range control module with VCDS.

Right, so likely a case of mistaken identity, thanks so much for flagging that, I'll let him know- should be a simple job in that case. Do you mind elaborating on what's required to adjust headlight aim and how to adapt settings of the headlight range control module with VCDS? Excuse my ignorance here.

 

Also, did you have spacers fitted at the same time as springs or allow springs to bed in first? Absolutely love how your car sits - exactly how I'd like mine (and how I think the vrs should sit). You've had no issues at all with the 20 front / 25 back spacers and springs? Been warned by a few people to expect rubbing, harsher ride etc, to only fit spacers well after springs are bedded in. Really keen to know if you fitted both at same time and if you've seen any negatives at all from either (eg any rub with passengers in back), if found ride harsher- I live in rural area and roads a little rough in places.. Aside from headlight aim, did you need to make any other adjustments once springs / spacers fitted- tracking etc? 

 

And if you'd be able to point me to where you got these specific spacers, would really appreciate it. Apologies for all the questions and so appreciate your feedback Sasha, thanks so much. 

There are adjuster screws on the back of the headlight, look down behind the headlight. There will be a white plastic allen bolt (8mm i think). Clockwise = up, counter = down, and once you are done you can (should, but most people don’t bother) going into Module 55 headlight range control and running the basic settings and acknowledging those basic settings.

 

I had the spacers on first, wouldn’t go 20 front unless you want the wheels right on the limit. I had to for my brakes. I can have 2 adults in the back, a boot full of gear and a 5.5 meter rib on a trailer behind, no problems at all. I had a full alignment done afterward on a Hunter machine as I knew the tracking needed doing anyway.

 

Spacers came from Watfields engineering on eBay.

 

Please see below a loaded up picture and some everyday shots.

 

 

I also live in a rural area but if you pick the right line it’ll all be fine. I have the splitter to worry about as well!

Gotcha, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on that, will make sure to get that done (lights).

 

I've actually already looked at Watfield, think will go for the 12 / 15 mm spacers, just want to fill the arches out a bit more and think that should do the trick nicely. And gives me great peace of mind no rubbing etc with a carload and a rib in the mix too! 

 

You've been so so helpful and generous with your knowledge, Sasha, really appreciate it, thank you. And just to say LOCE your car! Really sweet. Think have only seen one in that colour and that was driving out of dealership when I bought mine. You've done a cracking job on it- just right- classy, elegant, not OTT. That grey really works.

 

Thanks again for your time and your patience!. Wish you a great weekend. Happy Motoring 😉 

Tbh the colour is one of the few things about it I would change, it’s a bit too dull for me. Make sure to post pics of yours once it’s all done

I would have agreed with you wholeheartedly until I saw yours! Not bland at all and with the (tasteful) mods you've made- looks really class, quite jealous actually now 😉

 

Will post pics once done. And thanks so much again for all your help, really, really appreciate it. 

 

Wish you a great week 🙂

Hi Sasha,

 

Apologies- one last question- you're running 20 (front) and 25 (back) spacers, you mentioned 20 at front is pushing it. LOVE how they look on yours- just wanted to check what downsides to 20/25 are? If not rubbing, what are the negatives and what do you mean by on the limit? 

 

Sensible me is saying 12 front, 15 back, just wanted to be clear on what downsides were as sorely tempted...

 

Appreciate your patience, thanks!

Excuse the silly question....

 

Does putting spacers on increase the load on the wheel bearings causing them to fail quicker?

1 hour ago, davidthemorrison said:

Hi Sasha,

 

Apologies- one last question- you're running 20 (front) and 25 (back) spacers, you mentioned 20 at front is pushing it. LOVE how they look on yours- just wanted to check what downsides to 20/25 are? If not rubbing, what are the negatives and what do you mean by on the limit? 

 

Sensible me is saying 12 front, 15 back, just wanted to be clear on what downsides were as sorely tempted...

 

Appreciate your patience, thanks!

The downside will be a bit more stress on the wheel bearings in the long run and the 20mm fronts put the front wheels right on the edge of the arch, 15/20 or 15/25 works just as well.

1 hour ago, JD52 said:

Excuse the silly question....

 

Does putting spacers on increase the load on the wheel bearings causing them to fail quicker?

Yes, in the long run there will be more stress on the wheel bearings. I’m browsing new wheels so this time I want to avoid spacers if I can because I have the opportunity to pick the offset.

Thanks guys, very much appreciated, pretty much as I thought. 

 

Will go away and do some serious pondering now 😉 15/20 maybe good middle ground.