I would like some thoughts and recommendations pls in fitting rear spring assisters to  68 2.0d auto superb est 4x4 for caravanning purposes. What would be a proven approach and I there anybody in the east midlands to turn to?

Many thanks

Mark

Do you mean installing air springs to avoid a « nose up » when towing?

Sorry forgot the posting. Sort of yes, more a case of stopping the back end sagging low when loaded with boot and caravan nose weight 100kg.

38 minutes ago, Corbarwolf said:

Sorry forgot the posting. Sort of yes, more a case of stopping the back end sagging low when loaded with boot and caravan nose weight 100kg.

Just saying but a nose weight of 100kg is quite a lot, Skoda only list a absolute max of 90kg. If youre sagging that much on the rear it might be worth reconfiguring what you can in the trailer/caravan to even it out a bit?

4 hours ago, ApertureS said:

Just saying but a nose weight of 100kg is quite a lot, Skoda only list a absolute max of 90kg. If youre sagging that much on the rear it might be worth reconfiguring what you can in the trailer/caravan to even it out a bit?

I can't say any better. 100 kg is way too much (at least, 10% above Skoda limit written in user's manual)... I think 70-80 kg would be much better to decrease your sagging!

5 hours ago, Corbarwolf said:

Sorry forgot the posting. Sort of yes, more a case of stopping the back end sagging low when loaded with boot and caravan nose weight 100kg.

 

You could fit a slightly stiffer rear spring.

 

If you've currently got 3Q0511115M rear springs, then 3Q0511115N will stop the rear end sagging so much while towing.

 

Unlike alternative options, changing the rear springs from 3Q0511115M to 3Q0511115N won't increase the unladen ride height.

 

Kilen 65127 or KYB RA5338 would be a good choice to match 3Q0511115N because they are reliable and economical.

 

3Q0511115N rear springs

 

Kilen 65127

 

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/kilen/12865401

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393379354984?epid=251920479&hash=item5b973c9968:g:2WIAAOSwxzJiMbDt&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoHOib0f1G4EzoNdQKZh52%2BdaYytaVdRQ9kjWTDvnZcou5iTxNRJNPAqom1DZExlvgty5JJCeb4Tujabg2eeqNMkhOCuylUbtDYHaUtNDaQ8%2Bof7RAi4E9WOqYKE5hfAWTNK6RiGflFC7k0iL6m1GzLOcE8nH45btO6g4kVKxDmcwe3SQOV0WVCVrL%2BnlonekGNDo%2BqiAjZObA0qqiUy%2Bwpk%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6KHuePcYA

 

KYB RA5338

 

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/3q0511115n?search=OEN+3Q0511115N

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334488105247?hash=item4de10b711f:g:qdEAAOSwLr5iu7wL&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoOUFIMaiK6NZFmGMwr1dy%2B4TGrEO1JnRxxepP1AS0o5vrzZkgnpC9NL%2B48R5vV3ZjKq1%2FeWx%2FPmrAWiOH%2FXdzOX1%2Fe4fzOiWcOdhiB8B2q3h16R7ye%2BVwFwCMkZPgdOk6P%2BRjv6f1rndl5zxjIkXPQ%2Fdi8VBEAw%2FIkWB1bjjbYxlDvr5kk5Lh2Q77THxJfTWHSbaFNJyXI3uhxLGAUpxjM0%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6KHuePcYA

 

As you can see in the chart below, build code 1JA+0YE means that you would have rear springs with OEM part number 3Q0511115M. Build code 1JA means the car has standard ride height.

 

Rear coil springs for Superb MK3 2.0TDI 4x4 estate

 

1	3Q0511115AH	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YA
1	3Q0511115AJ	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YB
1	3Q0511115AK	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YC
1	3Q0511115AL	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YD
1	3Q0511115M	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YE
1	3Q0511115N	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YF
1	3Q0511115P	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YG
1	3Q0511115Q	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YH
1	3Q0511115R	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YJ
1	3Q0511115BC	Coil spring		2	PR-1JA+0YK

https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/skoda/CZ/SUP/851/5/511/511005

 

Edited 28 August, 20223 yr by Carlston

But there's a risk stiffer springs may decrease confort when unladen, isn't it? 🤔

18 minutes ago, Bap33 said:

But there's a risk stiffer springs may decrease comfort when unladen, isn't it? 🤔

 

On the Superb MK3, 3Q0511115N rear springs and 215/55R17 tyres will be more comfortable than 3Q0511115M rear springs and 235/45R18 tyres, ie. the tyre size will make more difference to ride comfort than this small change in rear spring stiffness.

 

An alternative to changing the rear springs is to change the front springs...perhaps by using 10mm shorter front springs with the same stiffness. This will help to balance the sagging rear springs while towing. The VW Passat B8 sometimes uses 10mm shorter front springs compared to the Superb MK3. However, it's easier to change the rear springs than the front springs.

 

Kilen list 5Q0411105GN for the front springs on the standard ride height Superb MK3 2.0TDI 4x4 estate, and 5Q0411105CH  for the front springs on the standard ride height VW Passat B8 2.0TDI 4x4 estate.

 

From the specifications on autodoc 5Q0411105CH front springs are just over 10mm shorter than 5Q0411105GN front springs and the same stiffness. This will lower the front of the Superb MK3 2.0TDI 4x4 estate by just over 10mm and keep the ride comfort the same, and help to balance out the sagging rear end when towing a caravan.

 

Superb MK3 2.0TDI 4x4 estate front springs 5Q0411105GN

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0411105gn?search=OEN+5Q0411105GN&supplier[0]=32&supplier[1]=85&supplier[2]=112&supplier[3]=246

 

VW Passat B8 2.0TDI 4x4 estate front springs 5Q0411105CH

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0411105ch?search=OEN+5Q0411105CH&supplier[0]=32&supplier[1]=85&supplier[2]=112&supplier[3]=246&supplier[4]=246&supplier[5]=32&supplier[6]=85&supplier[7]=112

 

Whatever springs you fit, there are always compromises. This includes the springs that new Skodas are fitted with. Although with the change from Superb MK3 front springs to VW Passat B8 front springs, maybe there isn't in this case.

 

Edited 28 August, 20223 yr by Carlston

5 minutes ago, Carlston said:

On the Superb MK3, 3Q0511115N rear springs and 215/55R17 tyres will be more comfortable than 3Q0511115M rear springs and 235/45R18 tyres, ie. the tyre size will make more difference to ride comfort than this small change in rear spring stiffness.

Sorry, I was meaning, keeping all other original components.

12 minutes ago, Bap33 said:

Sorry, I was meaning, keeping all other original components.

 

See my previous post about changing the Superb MK3 front springs to VW Passat B8 front springs.

 

A solution without compromise (or almost).

 

Edited 28 August, 20223 yr by Carlston

Surely changing the springs is just covering up the problem?

 

excuse me if I’m wrong but shouldn’t you focus on a more balanced load than the level of the car?

Definitely less expensive! 😁

10 hours ago, Bap33 said:

But there's a risk stiffer springs may decrease confort when unladen, isn't it? 🤔

no, there is no comfort lose even with stiffer Eibach Pro springs!

 

my opinion - standard springs are too soft for Superb

and i can guess two reasons:

1. suspension, in general, is developed for lighter cars like A3 and Golf.

2. extra softness gives brighter difference between Comfort/Normal/Sport modes

9 hours ago, ApertureS said:

Surely changing the springs is just covering up the problem?

 

excuse me if I’m wrong but shouldn’t you focus on a more balanced load than the level of the car?

 

Skoda will often fit stiffer rear springs if the car has a factory fitted towbar, often two weight ranges stiffer.

 

Edited 29 August, 20223 yr by Carlston

@Carlston  Is that an actual fact that if a customer in the UK orders a factory build and a factory fit towbar it will come with different springs from the none factory fit towbar cars or might come with stiffer springs?

45 minutes ago, roottoot said:

@Carlston  Is that an actual fact that if a customer in the UK orders a factory build and a factory fit towbar it will come with different springs from the none factory fit towbar cars or might come with stiffer springs?

 

The aftermarket spring catalogues often think so.

 

Here's an example with the Kodiaq. 5 seater Kodiaq without a factory fitted towbar has a softer rear spring. 5 seater Kodiaq with a factory fitted towbar has a harder rear spring.

 

Kilen spring catalogue

https://web.tecalliance.net/kilen/en/parts/cars/assigned?assemblyGroupId=100113&targetId=123934&typeNumber=123934&targetCountry=AT&page=0&groups=188#@brc/brands:Car;targetType:cars/assem:SKODA%20KODIAQ%20(NS7%2C%20NV7%2C%20NS6)%202.0%20TDI;targetType:cars;targetId:123934;typeNumber:123934;targetCountry:AT/lnkparts:Coil%20Springs;targetType:cars;assemblyGroupId:100113;targetId:123934;typeNumber:123934;targetCountry:AT;page:0;groups:188

 

There are also examples in the gknautomotive.com spring catalogue.

 

These aftermarket spring catalogues will be trying to mirror what VAG fits to new cars.

 

However, it's always best to go by the car's build codes to find out the actual springs that the car left the factory with.

 

Here's an example in the gknautomotive.com spring catalogue for an Octavia MK3 hatchback.

 

gknautomotive.com spring catalogue

https://web.tecalliance.net/gkn/en/parts/cars/assigned?assemblyGroupId=100113&targetId=58761&typeNumber=58761&page=0&groups=188#@brc/brands:Car;targetType:cars/assem:SKODA%20OCTAVIA%20III%20(5E3%2C%20NL3%2C%20NR3)%202.0%20TDI;targetType:cars;targetId:58761;typeNumber:58761/lnkparts:Coil%20Springs;targetType:cars;assemblyGroupId:100113;targetId:58761;typeNumber:58761;page:0;groups:188

 

Edited 29 August, 20223 yr by Carlston

@Carlston  Thanks. 

So we do not know if they will often fit stiffer springs if the car has a factory fitted towbar. 

 

We are assuming they might, or may do, or have done, but no idea if they do this often. 

18 minutes ago, roottoot said:

@Carlston  Thanks. 

So we do not know if they will often fit stiffer springs if the car has a factory fitted towbar. 

 

We are assuming they might, or may do, or have done, but no idea if they do this often. 

 

It would make sense if all Skodas that have a factory fitted towbar left the factory with stiffer rear springs.

 

If some Skodas with a factory fitted towbar didn't leave the factory with stiffer rear springs, then it would make sense for Skoda to make the stiffer rear springs a factory option. But as I've never heard of a separate option for stiffer rear springs when you order a new Skoda, I will assume that all Skodas that come with a factory fitted towbar also come with stiffer rear springs.

 

Unless someone knows differently.

 

Edited 29 August, 20223 yr by Carlston

Lots of thing that are 'Simply Clever' never happen, but they have Ice Scrappers in the Fuel Filler Flap that can freeze closed, but nice fillers for the windscreen wash.

Thank you all for the responses. Lots of food for thought there. I'll recheck the noseweight for one, 100 was a ballpark and load is always over axle, so a check needed  there. The car is due a dealer service in a cpl of months so will discuss the extra rear spring stiffness and maybe 10mm shorter fronts with them then.

To the best of my knowledge "airbag spring assisters" do not exist for your vehicle or any Skoda model past or present, if they did I would have tried some by now.

 

You asked for a proven approach, well fitting stiffer springs using the VW part numbers and load ratings as Carston has described has been a proven approach for me on my last 2 vehicles, before that I fitted Grayston assister springs, not to be confused with the totally unsuitable plastic donut spring assisters, the assister springs worked fine but cost as much if not more than new springs, yours probably have broken coils anyway, the spring assisters should be avoided at all costs in my opinion, others disagree.