Hi Skoda community,

 

Our Fabia Mk3 hatch was in a wee accident (rear ended) last June and was fully repaired.  Touch and go whether the repair cost would be accepted by the insurance company as several thousand pounds, but anyway!  Because of the location of the damage there was a lot replaced including the rear door and windscreen.  All was fine until last week (14 months after repair 😡) when I tried to open the boot and it was clear that something wasn't right with the boot strut(s).  Basically I need to hold the boot open and it would slam shut if I let it go in any position 😒.  Noticed some liquid on the strut on the right hand side, so does that mean it has probably failed? 

 

I am pursuing the repairer (bloody Arnold Clark!) but as parts warranty is only 12 months and labour is 5 years I am not holding my breath.  However the boot was not properly adjusted when first repaired and I had to take it back in because the boot would often not shut and lock when released.

 

I guess my initial question is, is this a relatively easy replacement I could so myself or am I best to take it into a garage?  If it can be DIY replaced is there a part manufacturer I should go for and/or avoid?  Really frustrating that something so fundamental should fail after the parts warranty has run out, arghhhh!

 

Any help at all gratefully received.

 

Thank you

 

Mike

Wipe off the oil so it doesn't potentially mark up your paint.

 

They're easy to replace  but do consider before starting the job how best to safely hold the hatch up safely whilst doing the swap, injuries often aren't funny.

 

Same as with braking or suspension parts, If you're replacing one side then best to replace the other too.

 

Loads of info and videos online about what you need and how to do the work, all the info you need is on the struts you have (subject to them being original to the car) you don't have to buy from the Dealerships but sometimes the prices can be reasonable for original factory parts.   There's  lots of alternatives available.

 

Seconded. They're not expensive from the dealers and take minutes to replace. Hold up the boot lid with a broom or an extra body.

 

With a flat screwdriver, pull out the metal band clips at each end of the strut which should then just pop off easily. They are usually just push back on for refitting. The band clip will go around the ball joint itself.

Thanks to you both for your advice.  Looks like I'll be replacing them myself then, which is probably the easier, less stressful option than p*ss**g about with Arnold Clark.  There is now no Skoda dealership in Inverness (I actually bought it from Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia) which is an absolute pain.  So you reckon any of the parts below would be fine?  The second link is for a genuine part (apparently), but the delivery is 17 euros to the UK.    

 

6V6827550 Gas spring, Boot- / cargo area OE Part Number (buycarparts.co.uk)

 

Gas Support for the Fifth Door Hatchback Škoda 6V6827550A (skoda-parts.com)

 

Many thanks

 

Mike

You should be able to get another garage to order them from TPS for you. There's a branch in Aberdeen, I'm not sure about Inverness but I would think there will be garages near you that'll work with them. At least enquire about a price. Or check eBay of course.

With the multiparts type places you have to take care as their databases aren't always very correct and the same part is offered with alternatives that fit different model versions.

 

Wouldn't a dealership post out to you?  Worth ringing to get prices so you have an idea, Dealerships aren't always a lot more expensive and if getting a genuine Skoda part it should be correct, fit easily and have a long life, worth a reasonable amount more to continue avoiding more/extended hassle.

 

I'd not use a broom or two brooms even because  they may not be stable enough especially if you knock into one or both, get someone to hold the tailgate for you or at least hold with broom(s) assisting, the broom(s) don't have eyes, mouth or brain (hopefully your assistant has all three).

 

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

 

Edited 14 October, 20214 yr by nta16

I've just checked the VW, SEAT and Audi part numbers, but they all have their own part numbers so these struts are not common across these "same" and same age VW Group models!

 

I was just trying to make your life a bit easier in case you could have got one from the local VW dealership - and failed!

 

From memory, the retaining clips or at least the strut, has a "helper" recess where you slip a flat bladed screwdriver into(shown on the side facing you), maybe you should just remove that U/S and so leaking oil strut to stop the oil running out and getting onto "stuff" including clothes.

Edited 15 October, 20214 yr by rum4mo

Why don't you just phone the Skoda dealer in Inverness and if not in stock they will order you one in if you pay by CC, then it is just a short hop across there to collect it.

 

15 or so miles is nothing, I live just outside Edinburgh and I need to travel that far if I want any VW Group parts normally - easy.

Edited 15 October, 20214 yr by rum4mo
Spelling!!! also word missing for 2nd edit!!

There is a supplier in Derbyshire who make replacements, maybe someone on here will have a name or link, they made 2 a long time ago for my Yeti - the first they had done, they worked well. From memory cheaper than the Skoda ones!

 

Found 'em  ---  SGS Engineering, google 'em

Edited 15 October, 20214 yr by Frenchtone

8 hours ago, rum4mo said:

I've just checked the VW, SEAT and Audi part numbers, but they all have their own part numbers so these struts are not common across these "same" and same age VW Group models!

IIRC (which ain't often enough) the Fabia is quite a bit different to other VAG offering and I think I've seen extended struts are needed to have the hatch open fully.

 

 

7 hours ago, Frenchtone said:

Found 'em  ---  SGS Engineering, google 'em

I was also thinking of them (and others) but didn't know their but I couldn't see that they stocked for the Fabia Mk3, perhaps too new for the effort yet.

 

There are also places that will make up, or stock, struts of various lengths, ends and strength but it's not really worth it when they are already readily available (subject to sellers listing and stocking the correct type for the particular car) and as has been said already if the Skoda dealership sell the factory  part at a reasonable price then that's probably a good bet.

 

ETA: last time I looked was 16/17 years ago for a Mk2 Capri and I ended up getting a s/h set off (IIRC) a Granada which had a bigger hatch door so would take the Capri hatch door if the struts weren't  too worn which they didn't appear to be as they worked well.  I'd always swap in pairs personally.

 

Edited 15 October, 20214 yr by nta16
ETA:

I think I got a price reduction as my car was the guinea pig for the struts!

@mikear82, sorry I seemed to have missed your comment about Skoda having pulled out of Inverness, time Skoda UK or that dealership tidied up their online details!

 

Car sorted out now?  Uncle Arnie's car emporiums can be a bit annoying to deal with, I think it helps if you are a young female though, my order daughter never seems to have any issues with their SEAT site in Edinburgh - yet, other than a complete mess up when her Leon Cupra was booked in online for its year 2 service - their website suggested that it would be more convenient for her to drop it off at their "not SEAT" site near her, result being it got none of the usual S/W checks or even the additional work added into the early stages of the online booking system - reasons being when quizzed about this "we are not a SEAT dealership" - not very handy to find that out after the prepaid service work was completed, ie only a quick oil change I'd expect!