Hi,

Does anyone know what spring compressors fit the rear springs on the Superb mk3 estate?

 

Thanks,

Why do you want compressors for the rear. With the car in the air you just put a jack under the arm and undo the lower shock bolt. Release the jack carefully and the whole lot pops out.

Hi,

 

Thanks for the reply.  Is this a definite then as saw on another post about someone having to undo the lower hub suspension bolts to get further movement to pull the spring out?

 

Thanks,

On 27/03/2023 at 19:19, MarkyG82 said:

Why do you want compressors for the rear. With the car in the air you just put a jack under the arm and undo the lower shock bolt. Release the jack carefully and the whole lot pops out.

Not quite that simple I think - I seem to recall that you have to disconnect the lower arm from the wheel hub. But mine is 4 x 4 so maybe that doesn't apply if it is 2 wheel drive. Also need to disconnect the suspension level sensor arm if you have xenon headlights and or DCC, and the drop link for the anti-roll I think. But you are right at least in principle, no need for a spring compressor.

Edited 31 March, 20233 yr by nicknorman

Oh yeah, a 4x4 would likely be a slightly different process with the added components.

The light level sensor is easy to release. The roll bar links can stay in place if doing both sides at the same time I think.  I didn't undo anything else apart from the bottom of the shock.

Hi thanks for the reply.  So on my car being the standard (soft) suspension I don't need to worry about additional items beyond unbolting dampers and headlight level sensor?

Hi again

 

So for clarity the standard suspension front wheel drive Superb only needs

 

Rear of car supported and rear wheels off

Disconnect headlight levelling sensor

Disconnect bottom of rear dampers (supporting hub with Jack whilst doing)

Allow rear suspension arms to hang

Pull spring out and then replace with new and reverse procedure

 

No additional steps correct?  It isn’t clear to me if the talk of additional hub removal etc is for 4WD only?

 

Thanks,

 

Yes (green dot). You may need to undo the roll bar links (red dot) depending on the clearance of the roll bar (blue line).

Hi all,

Warning to anyone else attempting.

 

Having now got round to the job, I can confirm removing rear damper bolt and headlight level sensor does not give anywhere near sufficient droop to pull the spring out.

 

I am going to have to experiment and see whether it’s the anti roll bar limiting or if I need to disconnect the rear hubs from swing arms.

 

Thanks,

I think this task requires spring compressors on a normal car without sportline suspension.  I have measured how much extra travel required even with anti roll bar disconnected and it’s approx 100mm further travel required, can’t see that being possible without disconnecting torque to setting (possibly with angle torque one use only) bolts connecting the hub to arm.

Both rear wheels should be off the ground when doing this job, if not the anti-roll bar is put under torsion and it can be dangerous to remove the connecting link.

 

I have removed the rear springs from 3 Octavias and my Yeti and always had enough clearance and I dont think I have even disconnected the anti-roll bars, you may need to lever the bottom wishbone down slightly using a little force or weight, I'm used to these sort of jobs so it is an automatic reflex for me, I just get on and do it rather than taking measurements to tell me I cannot.

 

Make it AVE IT!

 

Editted, if both rear shock absorbers are disconnected at the same time the anti-roll bar does not put up any resistance.

Edited 16 September, 20232 yr by J.R.

I certainly removed the drop link when I did it. Both rear wheels off the ground of course. But quite possibly undoing the shocker bolt on the other side would achieve the same result. Might be a bit easier to get to and less rusty!

Edited 16 September, 20232 yr by nicknorman

Hi

 

Thanks for the replies.

 

Rear of car in air, both wheels off.  Yes had anti roll bar links, dampers and xenon level sensor disconnected and not a chance enough travel to remove spring without compressor or removing (stretch?) bolt for hub to control arm.

 

Thanks,

That doesn't make sense and makes me think there is something not quite right. If both wheels are removed and shocks, drop links and level sensor all disconnected on both sides there should not be anything preventing the lower are to drop enough to release the spring.

You definitely releases the shock on both sides?

I agree but the shock absorber limiting travel on one side should not affect the other if anti-roll bar disconnected.

28 minutes ago, J.R. said:

I agree but the shock absorber limiting travel on one side should not affect the other if anti-roll bar disconnected.

 

Was just double checking as it's often more simple to disconnect the shocks only and wondered if this was what @MrRichwas doing.

Yes both shocks disconnected.  Travel limited by the control arms themselves.  Could previous adjustment of the occentric tracking bolt limit travel?  As car had four wheel alignment a year ago or so…

On 17/09/2023 at 12:39, MrRich said:

Yes both shocks disconnected.  Travel limited by the control arms themselves.  Could previous adjustment of the occentric tracking bolt limit travel?  As car had four wheel alignment a year ago or so…

I'm glad I came across your post as I'd have just taken other people's instructions at face value (disconnect shock, lower hub gently on both sides) and expect it to work. Did you figure out what else needed disconnecting or did you take it to a garage in the end ?

Hi,

In the end had a garage do the work who (I think) used the book's listed spring compressor to make short work. They also replaced some of the bolts as they're one time use only (i.e. torque and then degrees turn).

Thanks,

1 hour ago, MrRich said:

Hi,

In the end had a garage do the work who (I think) used the book's listed spring compressor to make short work. They also replaced some of the bolts as they're one time use only (i.e. torque and then degrees turn).

Thanks,

Thanks, I nearly walked onto the same problem you did. Well-meaning wrong advice is worse than no advice.

Cheers