Hello, I have a Mk2 Octavia Estate 1.9 TDI PD, FWD with manual trans. I am looking to upgrade the front brakes from stock 280mm to vRS' 312mm. I know about everything that I need, however, I am a bit unsure about what 50mm strut to use. I was thinking about using 2.0 TDI PD vRS strut, but I am unsure whether everything will work as it should and whether the car will handle as it should.

 

Or is there a 1.9 TDI PD 55mm front strut? I really do not want to put aftermarket struts or adjustable suspension, I want OEM 55mm strut but I am unsure on what to pick. Could anybody suggest something?

 

Thanks!

I assume you will be getting 55mm hubs to upgrade to 312mm brakes then 2.0tdi struts will be fine as these are 55mm too.

@wiilydog yes, i am planning to get 55 mm hubs. so will 2.0 tdi vRS will also be fine, right? should i then also put vRS struts in the back just for the sake of it to have it complete? what do you think?

Guess vrs shocks will be stiffer so makes sense to match the rears as well or alternatively why not just get after market bilstein b4 55mn front shocks for non sports suspension, if you happy with the existing ride.

For the Octavia MK2 1.9TDI 105HP estate (manual or automatic) Bilstein supply the following B4 and B6 shock absorbers for standard ride height springs and lowered ride height springs. Bilstein also supply these for the Octavia MK2 VRS.

 

With these two Bilstein shock absorbers, there is no distinction between standard ride height springs and lowered ride height springs.

 

Bilstein B4 22-183729 and Bilstein B6 35-108177 front shock absorbers (both have 55mm struts)

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/1t0413031hn?search=OEN 1T0413031HN&supplier[0]=16

 

The below information shows that the above two Bilstein front shock absorbers (ie. Bilstein B4 22-183729 and Bilstein B6 35-108177) will be suitable, as you can see in the Bilstein listings on autodoc that they are both sold to replace OEM part numbers 1T0413031HN, 1T0413031HM, and 1T0413031HP (and many other OEM part numbers). Both these two Bilstein front shock absorbers are also suitable for the Octavia MK2 VRS, because the relevant OEM part numbers are listed against them.

 

1T0413031HN Front shock absorber for standard ride height 

1K0411105AQ Standard ride height front coil spring L07 (manual gearbox)

 

1T0413031HM Front shock absorber for standard ride height L13,L14

11K0411105BC Standard ride height front coil spring L13 (automatic gearbox)

11K0411105BD Standard ride height front coil spring L14 (automatic gearbox)

 

1T0413031HP Front shock absorber for lowered ride height L55,L58

1K0411105DA Lowered ride height front coil spring L55 (manual gearbox)

1K0411105DB Lowered ride height front coil spring L58 (automatic gearbox)

 

Edited 5 June, 20233 yr by Carlston

I expect most aftermarket shock absorbers that are sold for the Octavia MK2 VRS and other lowered ride height Skodas are actually standard ride height shock absorbers, including the two Bilstein front shock absorbers that I linked to in my post above. However, 

 

For a lowered ride height Octavia MK2 (including the VRS), it might be worth considering Bilstein B8 shock absorbers, such as the one shown in the link below.

 

Bilstein B8 35-108191 front shock absorbers (55mm strut) 

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/1044333

 

Edited 5 June, 20233 yr by Carlston

Thanks @Carlston. That is exactly what I needed!

6 hours ago, PAPAPINE said:

Thanks @Carlston. That is exactly what I needed!

 

As you have 280x22mm front brake discs, you will need to change to these "wheel bearing housings" (aka. steering knuckles) in order to change to either 288x25mm or 312x25mm front brake discs.

 

The below steering knuckles are also used on the Golf MK5/6 and various clones including front wheel drive and 4x4 models. So there should be a lot of availability on the secondhand market.

 

The wheel bearing housings for the 288x25mm and 312x25mm front brake discs use front shock absorbers with 55mm struts.

 

Octavia MK2 wheel bearing housings (aka. steering knuckles) for 288x25mm and 312x25mm front brake discs

6	1K0407255AA	Wheel bearing housing	left	1	PR-1ZB,1ZE, 1ZM,1LL,1LP
6	1K0407256AA	Wheel bearing housing	right	1	PR-1ZB,1ZE, 1ZM,1LL,1LP

 

Left wheel bearing housing 1K0407255AA

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/1k0407255aa?search=OEN 1K0407255AA

 

Right wheel bearing housing 1K0407256AA

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/1k0407256aa?search=OEN 1K0407256AA

 

Octavia MK2 parts catalogue

https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/skoda/CZ/OCT/663/4/407/407000

 

On the Octavia MK2, the front brake calipers for the 288x25mm and 312x25mm front brake discs are the same, except for sometimes the colour. For example, VRS front brake calipers are painted red.

 

On the Octavia MK2, to change from 288x25mm to 312x25mm front brakes or vice-versa, you just need to change the front brake discs and the caliper carriers.

 

Edited 7 June, 20233 yr by Carlston