Hi, it's been a while! 

 

So, I've replaced the front shocks with Monroes  (742117SP) part number 5Q0 413 031 FP. Not my first choice, but The Sachs struts were of the wrong specification (I discovered this at the worst possible moment when they were dangling about in the knuckle, 50mm as appose to 55mm! Doh). I had little time to be picky, and so headed to ECP to pick up a compatible part, the Monroes won the day, therefore! 

 

Anyway, I'm having much more fun trying to find a replacement OEM option for the rears! The part number on the original shocks is as follows 5Q0 512 011 QP and buycarparts.co.uk (Autodoc) inform me that they don't selling a single rear shock that is compatible with my car! 67 plate octavia vrs 245. 

 

Curiously, the original front shocks contain two labels and two different part numbers, which I don't understand. The first number 5Q0412037JQ returns nothing, anywhere! Whereas the other part number (above), returns lots of options. 

 

Before I knew any of this I ordered some Bilstein B4s for the rear, only to be told the won't fit! 

 

It seems very strange that there are numerous aftermarket/ OEM options for the front shocks, but not a single option for the rears?!?! 

 

I cannot believe the only compatible shocks for the rear are available exclusively via main dealerships! let's face it, these will probably be re-badged Sachs, KYB, etc.  Surely Bilstein or Koni manufacture a performance option??? 

 

Has anyone had similar experiences? Can anyone provide an alternative supplier for the rear shocks. 

 

Thanks for your input in advance. 

Yeah similar experiences with a Scout. Nothing came up with the original part number that was written in the original rear shock.

 

I asked from dealership, they told me it is replaced with a new part, totally different number. With this number I was able to find some alternatives, including Sachs.

Edited 22 November, 20241 yr by RattleWagon

Reg number or VIN would let me check your rear part number.

Thanks, but the plot thickens. . . . . . . 

 

So I just called the dealership, who said what I had been told sounded incorrect. 

 

They quoted me £130/ shock - which is pretty steep, but to be expected. 

 

I gave him the part number off the original shock, which he said could be a 'casting' part number (i.e. used by the factory only?). Anyway, he gave me the part number of the replacement part 5Q0513029NA.

 

Apart from the 'NA', that's the same part number that Autodoc just told me doesn't fit the car and therefore cancelled the order! 

 

What's going on here! 

So I just called Autodoc again, and they're saying that the part number has to match exactly. 

 

They were using the correct number, i.e. the number the Skoda just gave to me. There are lots of 5Q0 513 029 **, but none that end with NA. 

 

My question therefore: how important are the last two letters? 

 

What do they mean? 

 

Again, I find it difficult to believe there are no OE/ aftermarket options for the car! 

 

13 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Reg number or VIN would let me check your rear part number.

The part number is 5Q0 513 029 NA as confirmed by both the manufacturer (Skoda) and Autodoc. 

10 minutes ago, CrispyJ said:

I gave him the part number off the original shock, which he said could be a 'casting' part number (i.e. used by the factory only?). Anyway, he gave me the part number of the replacement part 5Q0513029NA.

That's what I was expecting I might find. a number with 513 in the middle sounds right.

The suffix NA is crucial, that's often the only thing that's different between all the different versions.

 

 

Thank you so much, in that case, it looks like Skoda are indeed, the only supplier for the part. 

 

I might call ECP and see if they have anything? Although, I'm worried they might sell me something that isn't correct? They don't give you the part number, so it would be impossible to know unless it was printed on the shock itself! 

 

1 minute ago, CrispyJ said:

Although, I'm worried they might sell me something that isn't correct?

Extremely wise to be worried about that.  If you let me know the VIN, I can look and see if there's a previous correct version listed, that's been superseded by the suffix NA, which may be more recognisable by the aftermarket.

Idk if this helps since vrs and scout are the day and night suspension wise, but just checked mails with dealership, original number in a Scout rear shock was 5E0 512 011 C. New number they gave was 5E0513029D.

 

And now I remember that I actually used that given number and found only low quality options but the low quality options had reference numbers to other manufactuers numbers and there I found Sachs 318 202. I guess it necessarily might not be 100 % match to the OEM, but they have been fine for a year and no problem fitting.

11 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Extremely wise to be worried about that.  If you let me know the VIN, I can look and see if there's a previous correct version listed, that's been superseded by the suffix NA, which may be more recognisable by the aftermarket.

Sent in PM. 

Edited 22 November, 20241 yr by CrispyJ

2 minutes ago, RattleWagon said:

Idk if this helps since vrs and scout are the day and night suspension wise, but just checked mails with dealership, original number in a Scout rear shock was 5E0 512 011 C. New number they gave was 5E0513029D.

 

And now I remember that I actually used that given number and found only low quality options but the low quality options had reference numbers to other manufactuers numbers and there I found Sachs 318 202. I guess it necessarily might not be 100 % match to the OEM, but they have been fine for a year and no problem fitting.

Well, tbh, £130/ shock from Skoda is outrageous for what are probably, bog standard sports shocks, albeit with some kind of 'unique' configuration, which makes them rare, perhaps, but certainly not complex or extravagant. 

 

When I replaced the rear wheel bearing/ hub assembly I noticed that there were spacers on the rear axle. I remember reading this in a review, years back that this particular model have an increase to its width at the rear, perhaps this explains the unusual shock? Either way, I'm reluctant to put anything on it, that isn't identical to the fit of the original. So, I might be condemned, on this occasion to paying Skoda parts prices! That is, unless Breezy Pete can find me an alternative! 

Yea now that I started to dig again, the Sachs rear shock I put there is not for Scout but only suitable for standard Octavia. Well it is what it is, better than worn original shocks. If I again get new ones for a Scout, I'll just buy genuine ones. 

 

However, best place for Skoda parts IMO is Skoda-parts.com and they seem to have your shocks with better price:

https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/5q0513029st-shock-absorber-rear-skoda-48436.html

£100 each probably including delivery here: https://www.lllparts.co.uk/product/5Q0513029ST/skoda-gas-shock-absorber-5q0513029st?

Delivery can be a little slow with this lot though, but then Skoda-parts.com would be too, cos coming from Czech.

Thanks, so much! Have you ordered from either of those companies before? I just haven't heard of them! Are they decent? 

It doesn't seem to indicate a manufacturer, so I assume they are original parts, as appose to aftermarket? 

I have used skoda-parts multiple times and totally can recommend. Skoda-parts tell manufacturer and in this case it is  genuine Skoda part and they have no aftermarket alternatives for this.

LLL one is genuine too.  I've used them a few times, without problems.

Thanks, to you both. I've learned a lot, especially not to play fast and loose with the part numbers 😆, and saved a few quid from buying dealer parts. 

 

It's so strange that the front suspension is widely available whereas the rear is definitely not! Perhaps some parts are not worth the investment because they're made in such small numbers for aftermarket brands. 

 

Once again, thanks for your all your effort! 

 

No worries. 

It's a common error thinking that the suffixes on part numbers are 'just a revision level' or whatever. So much so that I made a little thread about it once.

Sometimes they are, but often they're not.