Replacement Front Shock Absorbers

[Expatman]

I have an advisory on my latest MOT stating that nearside front shock absorber is leaking. My Yeti is a 1.2 Tsi DSG 2017 SEL Drive model - one of the last made. I believe it is worth replacing both shock absorbers at the same time. Main dealer has quoted £850+ but a reputable local independent has quoted £350 for the same job. Anyone any experience of  having the frost shocks replaced and is there anything I should be querying with the independent before giving them the job. Should I insist on Skoda replacement shocks or is there much difference between Skoda and third party shock absorbers?

Thanks!

[Llanigraham]

Replace the pair!.

[Carlston]

3 hours ago, Expatman said:

I have an advisory on my latest MOT stating that nearside front shock absorber is leaking. My Yeti is a 1.2 Tsi DSG 2017 SEL Drive model - one of the last made. I believe it is worth replacing both shock absorbers at the same time. Main dealer has quoted £850+ but a reputable local independent has quoted £350 for the same job. Anyone any experience of  having the frost shocks replaced and is there anything I should be querying with the independent before giving them the job. Should I insist on Skoda replacement shocks or is there much difference between Skoda and third party shock absorbers?

Thanks!

 

These Bilstein B4 front shock absorbers might be suitable, but you would have to check that your car uses one of the following OEM part numbers.

 

@Breezy_Pete might be able to find the OEM part number for your Yeti's front shock absorbers if you PM him your VIN.

 

Bilstein B4 22-183712 front shock absorbers are sold to replace the following OEM part numbers, and some other OEM part numbers as well

1K0413031BG Front shock absorber G77 + L13, L56, L57

1K0413031BK Front shock absorber G02 + L13, L40, L57, L07

1K0413031BL Front shock absorber G02 + L60, L61, L66, L67

 

Bilstein B4 front shock absorbers 22-183712

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301828188653

 

Kilen/Lesjofors, KYB, and gknautomotive.com show the front springs for the Yeti 1.2TSI 110HP 2015-2017 as being 1K0411105CM. I therefore suspect you have front shock absorbers with OEM part number 1K0413031BK, as shown in the list above.

 

1K0411105CM Front coil spring 2 Violet Dots 2 Grey Dots L40

 

Kilen 23121 front springs matching 1K0411105CM

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354695139981

 

Edited 6 April, 2023 by Carlston

[Expatman]

I am not sure if I should let the Independent garage just fit the shock absorbers he gets from parts suppliers or should I specify he fits genuine Skoda parts?

Alternatively It looks like Bilstein and Monroe receive good reviews - anyone any experience of those compared with the Skoda ones?

 

Thanks

[Carlodiesel]

Go with either Shocks, Monroe or Bilstein.

And, yes while your at it fit new springs as well.

I would let the Independent get them, if they are wrong then that's down to him.

But if you get them and they're wrong you then have hassle. 

[Bas750]

Always, always replace shocks as a pair on an axle ( front/rear).

850 seems a bit steep to me…. 350 is way more reasonable. Shocks and springs are not that expensive, it is labour what makes it expensive. Replacing is a straight forward job for any experienced mechanic. I would either replace the top bearings or give em a good clean and regrease them, depending on state.

bilstein/koni is top of the bill, monroe/ sachs  etc all good, just stick to reputable brands.

Edit: skoda/vag are NOT producing shocks nor springs, most of them come from sachs. I would not buy vag branded, because you pay a lot more, just for the vw- partnumber stamped on it.

Edited 7 April, 2023 by Bas750

[J.R.]

Agree with all the above especially replacing as a pair.

 

You would be hard pressed to buy anything of an inferior quality to that fitted by VAG and given their price I would buy anything but VAG branded ones. Mine came from an Irish E-bay seller and were astonishingly cheap, £30 something each, they have been fine for over 18 months.

 

I would definitely ask for the bump stops to be replaced, they degrade with age and yours may have been taking a battering if the oil is leaking. Likewise the top bearings when I removed my struts I was showered with ball bearins where one had let go, I subsequently replaced them again with el cheapos but one strarted knocking again after a fe months showing that cheap unbranded parts can eb a lottery.

 

It's only time for me but if you are paying labour I would have the bump stops and to mount bearings replaced as well, any good garage would insist on it & maybe your price includes them, I would also consider replacing the springs, one of mine had failed before the shockers started leaking, they did that lost damping very quickly, perhaps as a result of being disturbed to replace the springs.

 

good luck!

Edited 7 April, 2023 by J.R.

[Paul52]

I had the front shock absorbers on my 2012 Yeti replaced in June 2020 by my local independent garage (who are VAG specialist and always seem to do a decent job and all seems well three years and two MOTs on). At that time the labour was 3 hours at £65/hour and the parts £70 each, so about £400 with the VAT. The way prices seem to have gone up recently suggests on my experience you would be looking at around £500 plus the cost of any "extras" referred to by others. If the £350 quoted by your independent is only for the labour it seems in the ball park.

[Expatman]

Went with local independent who fitted a pair of Monroe shocks for £275. Quick, professional and polite as well as offering excellent value for money.

[Expatman]

Just an update. Main dealer contacted me advising I should have the front shock absorbers changed because of the MOT advisory. I told them they had quoted £850 and I had got the job done for well less than half that. Immediately got a call from their new service manager asking what I had been quoted by their service department. I told him and he was shocked, said this is a ‘menu’ item and the price should have been £470.92. for all genuine Skoda parts, warranty extension etc. He apologised and offered a free 10k service as recompense, which i thought was decent of him.

One thing I had noticed since having the shocks replaced was that the ride was firmer than before, out of interest I checked the part number of the Monroe shocks fitted and confirmed they were the shocks specified by Monroe for the Yeti. However, they are described in the small print as “for heavy duty suspension”, Monroe used to offer similar shock absorbers for the Yeti with a slightly different part number and specified as “for standard suspension”. Those were deleted from the range some time ago and Monroe now specify just one shock absorber for the Yeti - which it turns out is the HD version. Independent who fitted the new shocks were most concerned when I told them of the harder ride and contacted Monroe who told them they had supplied the right shocks for the Yeti. My problem is that I can’t blame the Independent garage who have fitted the Monroe recommended shocks but I now have a harder riding Yeti than before - it’s not awful and unless you knew what it was like before I am not sure anyone would think the car had a harsher ride. Trouble it I KNOW - now have to decide what to do, live with it or what?

Any ideas anyone?

Edited 20 June, 2023 by Expatman

[petrolcan]

Bear in mind that you'll notice a difference with new suspension anyway.

 

My advice is just drive it and if it's still annoying you in 6 weeks time, do something about it then.

[Carlston]

3 hours ago, Expatman said:

One thing I had noticed since having the shocks replaced was that the ride was firmer than before, out of interest I checked the part number of the Monroe shocks fitted and confirmed they were the shocks specified by Monroe for the Yeti. However, they are described in the small print as “for heavy duty suspension”, Monroe used to offer similar shock absorbers for the Yeti with a slightly different part number and specified as “for standard suspension”. Those were deleted from the range some time ago and Monroe now specify just one shock absorber for the Yeti - which it turns out is the HD version. Independent who fitted the new shocks were most concerned when I told them of the harder ride and contacted Monroe who told them they had supplied the right shocks for the Yeti. My problem is that I can’t blame the Independent garage who have fitted the Monroe recommended shocks but I now have a harder riding Yeti than before - it’s not awful and unless you knew what it was like before I am not sure anyone would think the car had a harsher ride. Trouble it I KNOW - now have to decide what to do, live with it or what?

Any ideas anyone?

 

On autodoc, the same two Monroe front shock absorbers are listed against OEM part numbers 1K0413031BG, 1K0413031BK, and 1K0413031BL.

 

These are Monroe 401147RM and Monroe G16495.

 

The Monroe G16495 front shock absorbers are marked, "for vehicles with heavy duty suspension". 

 

The Yeti does have heavy duty suspension as springs and shock absorbers are often shared between the Yeti and heavy duty suspension versions of the Octavia MK2.

 

As far as Monroe is concerned, these two front shock absorbers fit your car, although that doesn't mean they are a close match to the original factory supplied front shock absorbers.

 

Edited 21 June, 2023 by Carlston

[J.R.]

12 hours ago, Expatman said:

My problem is that I can’t blame the Independent garage who have fitted the Monroe recommended shocks but I now have a harder riding Yeti than before

 

Your old shocks were knackered, of course new ones will give a more controlled firmer ride.

Edited 21 June, 2023 by J.R.

[Expatman]

41 minutes ago, J.R. said:

 

Your old shocks were knackered, of course new ones will give a more controlled firmer ride.

But only one had a slight oil leak and they certainly didn't feel knackered!

[Carlston]

2 hours ago, Expatman said:

But only one had a slight oil leak and they certainly didn't feel knackered!

 

The Monroe G16495 front shock absorbers are marked, "for vehicles with heavy duty suspension".

 

The Monroe 401147RM aren't marked "for vehicles with heavy duty suspension".

 

Therefore, maybe the Monroe G16495 front shock absorbers have stiffer damping than the Monroe 401147RM, even though they are both sold to replace the same 37 OEM part numbers, as shown below.

 

1K0413031AC

1K0413031AD

1K0413031AE

1K0413031AF

1K0413031AH

1K0413031AJ

1K0413031AR

1K0413031AS

1K0413031AT

1K0413031BA

1K0413031BB

1K0413031BE

1K0413031BF

1K0413031BG

1K0413031BH

1K0413031BJ

1K0413031BK

1K0413031BL

1K0413031BS

1K0413031CH

1K0413031CJ

1K0413031CK

1K0413031CM

1K0413031CN

1K0413031CP

1K0413031CQ

1K0413031CR

1K0413031CS

1K0413031DE

1K0413031DF

1K0413031DG

1K0413031DJ

5C0413031AH

5C0413031AM

5C0413031AQ

5C0413031BR

5C0413031S

 

Edited 21 June, 2023 by Carlston

[Expatman]

28 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

The Monroe G16495 front shock absorbers are marked, "for vehicles with heavy duty suspension".

 

The Monroe 401147RM aren't marked "for vehicles with heavy duty suspension".

 

Therefore, maybe the Monroe G16495 have stiffer damping than the Monroe 401147RM, even though they appear to be both sold to replace the same 37 OEM part numbers, as shown below.

 

1K0413031AC

1K0413031AD

1K0413031AE

1K0413031AF

1K0413031AH

1K0413031AJ

1K0413031AR

1K0413031AS

1K0413031AT

1K0413031BA

1K0413031BB

1K0413031BE

1K0413031BF

1K0413031BG

1K0413031BH

1K0413031BJ

1K0413031BK

1K0413031BL

1K0413031BS

1K0413031CH

1K0413031CJ

1K0413031CK

1K0413031CM

1K0413031CN

1K0413031CP

1K0413031CQ

1K0413031CR

1K0413031CS

1K0413031DE

1K0413031DF

1K0413031DG

1K0413031DJ

5C0413031AH

5C0413031AM

5C0413031AQ

5C0413031BR

5C0413031S

 

But the Monroe 401147RM shocks are described as "for vehicles with heavy duty suspension"!

[Carlston]

36 minutes ago, Expatman said:

But the Monroe 401147RM shocks are described as "for vehicles with heavy duty suspension"!

 

Where have you seen Monroe 401147RM described as heavy duty?

[Expatman]

14 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

Where have you seen Monroe 401147RM described as heavy duty?

I put Monroe 401147RM into Google, clicked on “Trodo” website (first find on Google) and they are there described as heavy duty.

[petrolcan]

7 minutes ago, Expatman said:

I put Monroe 401147RM into Google, clicked on “Trodo” website (first find on Google) and they are there described as heavy duty.

 

Go to specsavers would be my advice

[Carlston]

There's no mention of "heavy duty" for the Monroe 401147RM front shock absorbers on trodo, as shown below, and I'm accessing their website using a chromebook not a mobile, so it should be showing all the details.

 

autodoc don't mention "heavy duty" either.

Shock Absorber MONROE 401147RM

ID : 1421774

• Fitting Position:Front Axle
• Brand class:Premium
• Manufacturer:MONROE
• EAN:5412096764943
• Manufacturer Part Number:401147RM
• Shock Absorber Type:Gas Pressure
• Shock Absorber Design:Suspension Strut
• Shock Absorber System:Twin-Tube
• Shock Absorber Mounting Type:Top pin, Bottom Clamp
• Weight [kg]:4,000
• Bore Ø [mm]:32
• Length 1 [mm]:391
• Length 2 [mm]:553
• Piston Rod Diameter [mm]:22
• Article number of recommended accessories:MK194, PK163
• Packaging length [cm]:51,5
• Packaging width [cm]:16,2
• Packaging height [cm]:16,2
• Housing Diameter in Clamping Area [mm]:50

https://www.trodo.com/shock-absorber-monroe-401147rm

 

Edited 21 June, 2023 by Carlston

[petrolcan]

The specsavers comment wasn't aimed at you @Carlston  

[Expatman]

Okay guys, go to trodo website as I described previously and then click check if these are suitable for your vehicle. Input vehicle details - Yeti 1.2 80kw and lo and behold website says ,yes suitable for your vehicle and states "suitable for vehicle with heavy duty suspension" 

??????

 

[Carlodiesel]

Have you checked your tyre pressures.?

Ask dealer the part number he fitted.

Shock Absorber MONROE G16496

VEHICLE SPECIFIC

ID : 30585

• Fitting Position:Front Axle
• Suspension:for vehicles with standard suspension
• Brand class:Premium
• Manufacturer:MONROE
• ----------------------------------------------------------------------

But The Monroe Catalogue says.....

 

Brand	MONROE
Article number	G16496
Product group	Shock Absorber
Additional description	MONROE ORIGINAL (Gas Technology)
GTIN/EAN	­5412096520433
Packing unit	1
Quantity per packing unit	1
Replaced by	­G16495

Edited 21 June, 2023 by Carlodiesel

[J.R.]

"Heavy Duty" as written on every car battery sold for the last 40 years regardless of its capacity!

 

I would be really surprised if your vehicle is overdamped on bump travel, they usually only change the rebound valving for different spring rates.

 

The sprung mass of your vehicle is the same whether it has standard or so called "Heavy duty" suspension

[Carlston]

5 hours ago, Expatman said:

Okay guys, go to trodo website as I described previously and then click check if these are suitable for your vehicle. Input vehicle details - Yeti 1.2 80kw and lo and behold website says ,yes suitable for your vehicle and states "suitable for vehicle with heavy duty suspension" 

??????

 

Yes, it is described on trodo as heavy duty if you search by entering the vehicle details.

 

On autodoc, one particular Bilstein shock absorber was described as standard and heavy duty if you searched for it by entering Octavia MK2, but if you searched for the very same Bilstein shock absorber by entering Yeti it was described as heavy duty only and not standard.

 

Like J.R. pointed out, the description often appears to be for marketing purposes.

 

The Monroe front shock absorbers might improve over 500 miles or so as they loosen up, the same as a new engine can be tight.

 

Edited 21 June, 2023 by Carlston