I've finally decided to purchase front strut braces - upper and lower - for my 2003 Octavia vRS. Am I correct in thinking that Audi S3 parts will fit? I paid a visit to my local Audi dealership who said I would need to have part numbers for everything! I assume I'll need to buy all the bits and pieces like bolts etc. so I'll probably need those part numbers too. Can anyone help please?

have u tried vw parts? i think the bora tdi one fits mine. im sure if u do a search on here u will find wot your lookin for m8.

The S3 upper strut brace is part number 8L9 805 629 A, the lower one is 8N0 199 403 B, the captive nuts for the lower brace are N 909 147 01 (2 required) and the bolts are N 104 679 01 (2 required). You will need to source your own fittings for the upper brace.

there u go m8. that was quick simonJ. i'd just found the audi s3 there.

Use M8 bolts and nylon nuts for the upper strut brace. You'll need 6.

Sorry to sound a bit clueless but where would i get these M8 bolts and nylon nuts from? Is there any particular size I should be looking for? Thank you all very much for your advice so far.

M8 is the width of the bolt, and you can get them at any hardware/DIY store (B&Q has always served me faithfully). Nylon nuts are just that, nuts with a nylon sleeve inside. This helps keeping them secure.

So to summarise, look for 25mm (length) M8 (8mm width) bolts at B&Q and get the nuts to go with it. Make sure you also get some good (and I mean *good*) metal drills to get through the suspension turrets. Start with a small (4mm) hole and then use the 8mm drill to widen it. You can treat the drill holes with some hammerite, but I haven't bothered.

Hi

I fitted an s3 upper strut brace to my vRS just a couple of tips get someone to give you a hand to catch the bolts as you push them through i did it myself and left the wheels on would advise remove wheels

I also fitted the bolts so that the nuts were in the engine bay so that they dont get covered in all sorts making the sieze and hard to remove should the need arise this means you need to measure and cut bolts to make them look tidy.

have a magnet handy and once you drill the hole pick up all the cuttings and get shot of them so they dont rust lying under the bonnet.

When its done get a twisty road and reap your reward

All the best Whoosh:thumbup:

Definately easier to do with 2 pairs of hands and with the wheels removed. I did it alone (on my current vRS) and it's a bit fiddly getting the nuts on whilst trying to push the screws down. It's doable though.