Hi!

As you might have seen - I am going to buy new shocks and springs to my Octavia 1,6 SLX- hopefully soon.

But first - I need to know what extra parts i should buy, front and rear, as I will try to make the change myself. I dont want to stand there with everything dismanteled, to find I am missing parts I should have changed..

Second - I am grateful for any helpful hints of the process on how to change the shocks and springs. I could not find any "How to..." threads about the topic searching this forum.

Thank you in advance!

Olit

Edited 26 August, 200817 yr by olit
Finally done the change!

get some new rear bump stops as well - I got mine in "vee w spares" in bristol - everything else I got from gsf - but that was because I forgot about them when I was placing the order.

A tool to help part the hub assembly at the front if a good idea. Haynes recommend a specific VW/skoda tool, but I found that using an allan key with a socket driver on it worked just as well (and I happened to have some of those!).

Other than that, just the normal tools, iirc - spring compressors, trolley jack, axle stands, etc.

The Haynes manual covers the process for changing shocks, so give that a once over before you start.

Hi!

Thank you mbarnes!

Must get the Haynes book then!! Good advice!! And some new bump-stops will be ordered!

To all:

Is there other rubber parts that probably need changing?

And when it comes to all suspension rubber parts - Is there poly parts to be had instead of ordinary rubber? And is it any point in changing it to poly?

Olit

there are some other rubbery bits.... for the rear I think... I can't remember off the top of my head what they were called though. The bump stops I mentioned in my first post are "twisted" into the plastic shock covers on the rears.

Might as well do the front ARB bushes and possibly grease up the drop links while you have it all apart.

When you say about the allen key, do you mean the hex socket set as I think i mentioned to you for the brakes matt?

When you say about the allen key, do you mean the hex socket set as I think i mentioned to you for the brakes matt?

Yep... the same. That worked wonders for parting the hub assembly to make to drop off the shock a bit easier.

Hi all!

Finally got the suspension updated on my Octy Estate 1,6i (06.2000-model).

These parts was shopped in prior to the update:

Shocks: Koni FSD - 2100-4019 (thanks AwesomeSarah:)).

Springs: Lesjöfors: Front: 40 857 05, Rear: 42 857 12.(Local seller)

Bushes: SuperPro - full kit - front and rear.(thanks Graham - SuperPro Europe:))

Nuts, bolts, bumpstops etc - local Skoda dealer.

I had to replace the rear shocks and springs myself prior to my vacation, because one of the old shocks was totally shot. I right away sensed a big improvement - the car felt better in the rear than ever! And it even improved a bit as the miles kept coming.

The only drawback was that the car was higher than before at the rear. I did not measure before or after, but it was easy to see. But I will come back to this later...

All in all I had very high expectations when I monday 25.8. delivered the car to the local garage for fitting the front shocks/springs and the bushes. I was in for a surprise...

Testing the car it felt very good to drive with the new parts fitted! Driving over speed bumps the car felt tight, solid and tidy. So also on all kind of bumps in the road! The NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) was the same as before.

The surprise was the hight of the car, especially in the front. The front is now 41,5 cm from the center of the wheel to the top of the wheelarch. It has to be said this is measured "totaly fresh" - new shocks, springs and bushes. The rear is 39,5 cm - now 4000 km "old". My car now looks like a Scout!!!

I have contacted the Lesjöfors-seller, and he said I must drive the car for 2 weeks/200 km, before evaluating the springs. But it also seemed clear for him that the car was a bit high for standard springs. I told him that if all standard Lesjöfors springs are this high, I should have ordered the SportSpring kit - 35 mm lower... Maybe this will be the solution...

I will be back!!

Olit

Edited 26 August, 200817 yr by olit
More info...

you done 200km yet?

Soon - very soon...

I changed my rear springs yesterday, and it was about 2cm taller than originally :S. After a 10mile test drive on which everything felt good, i remeasured and it had dropped 3cm, so overall, i think the new 'standard' springs dropped it 1cm. I'm happy with that.

Hi!

My new Lesjöfors springs are definately on the firmer side than the original springs, but certainly not uncomfortable. The ride (with Koni FSD's) are firm, but supple.

Earlier the car "dived" over speed bumps, now it just goes "flat" over - one bump pr axle, then stop.

SWMBO are VERY pleased with the new chassis.

My only objection is that I feel the car now stands a little to tall.:(

Before:

After:

olit

PS! Just measured the height again tonight - F: 41,5 cm (still - near 200 km), B: 39,5 cm.

Edited 4 September, 200817 yr by olit
Formatted pictures...