Hi All,

 

Below you will find a solution to the handle snapping off from the ski hatch (common Skoda bullpoop for Octavias and Superbs). Mine was quoted 280 GBP for repairs as my 2017 superb was out of warranty.

Should take 20-60 mins depending on your DIY experience and .

I will post my thought process after the solution to not bore you.

 

Just please, after you have unlocked the ski hatch, instead of pulling on the handle with all your might, push on the arm rest instead to pull the lid away from the seats ! It's a Wonky DIY fix !

 

SOLUTION - Make your own piston (fixing on a spring):

 

I engineered a piston to pop out into the hole on a spring , securing the handle.

I had a bracket intact on the right side, so was just the case of pulling it out to hold the handle there (after lots of messing about) 

 

Tools (basic):

I had all of my tools in my toolbox (too lazy to go find my cordless drill), scavanged resources as I went:

 

Nail of approx 50-60mm length, strong nail with a small head. 

Screwdriver , 2 screws approx 50mm long, 1 narrow and 1 wider core (to match or be wider than the nail) OR a drill with a narrow drill bit to accomodate the nail

Small (or any really) wallplug which will tightly fit the nail (stop)

old or any ballpoint pen spring (worth the sacrifice)

tool to cut the spring

any tool or screw to pull an existing right fixing (if it is intact, otherwise figure a static fixing yourself)

 

Steps:

See video or text below

 

 

1. Pull the right handle fixing out of the ski hatch frame with a screwdriver or any other way (hook screw for me).

* If you have that broken off, just assess the situation and think which side of the handle you want the spring piston to be attached to. create a static fixing like a screw on the opposite side

 

2. Drill or screw 3 holes through the left* side of the handle (if your right side is sorted). TRY to align the holes in parallel to the handle face, as I had mine at an angle. Had to mangle a massive hole in the ski hatch frame.

 

3. Take a spring out of a ballpoint pen and cut it to approx 2-3 cm length. Can always adjust later. 

 

4. Place it on your nail and slide the nail through the holes to see if it pops out after you push it in

 

5. cut a wall plug with any tool to have approx a 1cm section which will tightly fit the screw

 

6, place the plug in the large section of the handle and hammer the nail through it to create a brake for the nail, so that it doesnt fly out of the handle (ski hatch has a hollow frame)

 

7. check if your nail pops out but stays within all 3 holes for stability

 

8. expand the left hole of the ski hatch with a screwdriver or other tools to fit the head of the nail when it pops out

 

9. place the handle back into the ski hatch, first matching the right side, then the top ridge, then push the nail into the handle to contract the spring, and finally push the whole handle in

 

10. check that the nail has popped into the  expanded hole, and if it didnt, make the hole bigger

 

11. Test a couple times if it all works, and enjoy your ski hatch again ! 

 

 

============== P.S. ========

Sorry if you don't like the track on the video

 

You probably understand my though process now. 

 

I thought that it would be nice to have some sort of a springed fixing (piston?) to attach to the handle , then inspected the handle, found a ballpoint pen in my toolbox, thought about a spring , found a nail,  spring fit, had an idea. 

Tried it, worked. 

 

You are all welcome! and hope it lasts !

 

Love my Superb, although disappointed with Skoda for classing this as a Wear and Tear damage on a 4 year old car 😞

 

GOOD LUCK !

What a great topic. Admins should pin this one to Octavia and Superb forums.  I have broken mine, car is 17 years old on my 05 Octy. I just push it through from the boot as there is a way to open it from the other side also. 

Thx Gav,

 

Wouldnt mind pushing through the boot, but with Superb its so deep, that I have to climb into it to reach the lever. And I am 6'3"...

Brilliant, thanks for sharing @Komap   Now a video on fixing rusty pliers please! 😁

Congratulations on the brilliant fix, Komap!!
In the 16 years of owning Superbs, I can honestly say I’ve opened the hatch once, in the MKI. It had an early “Simply Clever” idea, which was a built-in, but removable ski cover, so that one’s family wet skis didn’t drip all over the inside of the ones car! 
 

Edited 17 April, 20224 yr by numskull

Very good solution.
Congratulations and thank you.