Driving a car Skoda Octavia A7 It should be comfortable and safe, but over time the suspension begins to make extraneous sounds. One of the most common problems faced by the owners of this popular sedan and liftback is the wear of the bearings of the front shock absorber pillars. This detail, simple, plays a critical role in the operation of the entire running unit, connecting the shock absorber to the body and providing the possibility of rotation of the rack when turning the steering wheel.
Ignoring the signs of malfunction can lead to serious consequences: from the destruction of the rack itself to damage to the body at the place of attachment. Owners. Octavia A7 It is important to recognize the problem in time, since the resource of these elements directly depends on the driving style and operating conditions. If you hear a characteristic knock or creak when passing irregularities, the question of replacement becomes inevitable.
Design features and purpose of the unit
Support bearing on the cars of the concern Volkswagen Group It is a complex mechanism that combines the function of support and a turning fist. Inside the body is a ball bearing that allows the shock-absorbing rack to rotate around its axis when the wheels are turned. Without this element, steering would be impossible or extremely difficult, since the rack would be rigidly attached to the body.
In design Skoda Octavia A7 There are several types of supports, depending on the suspension modification (standard or sports). The main difference is the presence or absence of a built-in damper and the type of lubricant. Some versions are equipped with bearings with a closed type of protection, others with an open design that requires periodic maintenance. Failure to understand these nuances often leads to the purchase of the wrong part.
High loads arising when driving on Russian roads quickly disable rubber metal elements. Rubber bluffs, and metal balls begin to beat the clip, creating a backlash. This is the main source of unpleasant sounds. It is important to understand that replacing only the anther without replacing the bearing often only gives a temporary effect.
Diagnosis of the malfunction and characteristic symptoms
Determine the wear of the bearing bearing on Octavia A7 You can use a number of clear signs that cannot be confused with other suspension malfunctions. The most striking symptom is a deaf metal knock when passing small irregularities, especially at low speed. The sound comes from the front wheel area and is often amplified when the steering wheel is turned.
The second characteristic feature is creaking or grinding when turning the steering wheel in place. If you hear the sound of plastic rubbing against metal or dry metal against metal, most likely the lubricant in the bearing has dried up or the separator has collapsed. In some cases, the steering wheel may become "cotton" or, conversely, too tight in certain positions.
- ๐ The appearance of knocking when passing "slow cops" only on the front wheels.
- ๐ Tight rotation of the steering wheel or a feeling of jamming when turning the wheels to stop.
- ๐ Visual subsidence of the body on one side or uneven wear of rubber.
- ๐ Take the car aside when driving in a straight line, despite the collapse.
Do not rely only on hearing, as the knock can come from Bushings or ball supports. Visual diagnosis is needed. Lift the car on a lift or jack and rock the wheel in a vertical plane. If there is a backlash that is passed to the rack rather than the lever, the problem is the support. Also check the rubber part for cracks.
โ ๏ธ Warning: If you hear a strong metal grinding when turning the steering wheel in place, the vehicle is prohibited from operating until the fault is corrected. This can lead to strut jamming and loss of control.
- Deaf banging on the bumps
- Creaking sound when turning the steering wheel
- Play in the wheel
- Nothing worries
Selecting quality spare parts: brands and analogues
Spare parts market for Skoda Octavia A7 It is overloaded with offers, and choosing the right manufacturer is half the success. Original parts under the label Skoda or VAG They are often produced by the same factories as their counterparts, but are much more expensive. When buying an original, you pay for the brand and the match guarantee, but not always for the unique quality of the materials.
The experts recommend that you pay attention to the manufacturers, such as: SNR, Lemfรถrder, Febi Bilstein and Topran. These brands supply components to the conveyors of European automakers. Their products are characterized by durability and precise geometry, which is critical for the correct operation of steering. Cheap Chinese counterparts often have poor quality steel and rubber that quickly collapses.
When choosing, it is also important to consider the completeness of the car. Nana Octavia A7 with adaptive suspension DSG sport-suspension Chassis reinforced supports may be used. Using a standard support on the sports version will lead to its rapid failure. Always check the catalog numbers before buying.
- โ SNR The leader in quality, often goes as original, high price.
- โ Lemfรถrder Excellent balance of price and quality, reliable design.
- โ Febi - a decent German brand, a wide range.
- โ No Name brands. The risk of buying defective parts with low resource.
| Manufacturer | Approximate resource (km) | Material quality | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original VAG | 100 000+ | High | Optimal for the guarantee |
| SNR | 80 000 - 100 000 | High | The best analogue |
| Febi Bilstein | 70 000 - 90 000 | Mid-high. | Good choice |
| Chinese analogues | 20 000 - 40 000 | Low | Not recommended |
Before buying, be sure to remove the wheel and look at the markings on the old bearing. Often the manufacturerโs number is knocked out on the case, which will simplify the search for an analogue.
Step-by-step instructions for DIY replacement
Replacing support bearings with Skoda Octavia A7 - a task of medium complexity, requiring the presence of a special tool and skills to work with suspension. You will need: balloon key, jack, supports, a set of heads (including a "hex" or "star" for a shock absorber rod), a dynamometer key and a spring removable. Without a tenant, the spring is strictly prohibited from working because of the risk of injury.
The process begins with lifting the car and removing the front wheel. Unscrew the nut of the mounting of the rack to the swivel fist and remove the finger of the steering tip. Then you need to unscrew three nuts of attachment of support to the body in the hood space. Be careful: the spring is in a compressed state, so before unscrewing the last bolts, the rack should be reliably fixed.
โ๏ธ Preparing for replacement
Collect a rack in the vise or on the workbench using a spring remover. Squeeze the spring until it stops pressing on the bearing. Unscrew the central nut of the shock absorber rod. It is important to remember here: the nut often has a left thread or requires significant effort to unscrew. Use a high-quality collar or a high-quality collar.
After removing the old support, carefully examine the anther and shock absorber breaker. If they are damaged, they must also be replaced. Install a new bearing, making sure it sat down without skewing. Collect the knot in reverse order, controlling the tightening force of all bolts. 30 Nm - standard value for the nut of the rod, but it is better to clarify in the technical documentation.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never try to squeeze a spring without a special remover. Weakening bolts with a compressed spring can lead to its sharp scattering and severe injuries.
What to do if the stem nut does not unscrew?
If the nut is jammed, try warming it with a building hair dryer or blowtorch (careful with paint!). Sometimes it helps to use penetrating lubricant WD-40 an hour before work. At the very least, it's a punch key.
Common installation errors and their consequences
Even experienced craftsmen can make mistakes when replacing supports that result in re-repairs in a short time. One of the most common mistakes is the wrong tightening of the shock absorber rod nut. If you tighten not hard enough, a backlash will appear, and the bearing will quickly collapse. If you pull - you can tear the thread or deform the bearing.
Another critical mistake is to install a support with distortion. This happens when the spring is not fully unloaded or when the support is not fully standing on the landing site. When moving, this will cause the steering wheel to beat and accelerated wear of rubber elements. Also, you can not ignore the state of the Silent blocks of levers, since their wear can simulate problems with supports.
It is important to remember the order of tightening the bolts of the rack attachment to the body. Wrap them evenly, cross-cross to avoid skewing the support. After assembly, be sure to check the angles of the wheel installation (fall-fall). Replacing the supports often affects the geometry of the suspension, and without corner correction, the car will pull to the side and the tires will wear unevenly.
- โ Ignoring the replacement of the anther and the breaker along with the bearing.
- โ Plunging the nut of the rod "by eye" without a dynamometer key.
- โ Installation without prior check of the condition of the suspension levers.
- โ Refusal to disintegrate after replacement.
Proper tightening of all connections with a dynamometer key and mandatory checking of the angles of installation of the wheels after replacement is the key to the durability of repair.
Prevention and increase of node resource
To prolong the life of new bearings, you need to follow a few simple rules of operation. Avoid sharp bumps on the wheels when driving deep pits at high speed. This creates extreme loads on the node, capable of destroying even a quality detail. Try to pass roughness smoothly, reducing speed.
Check the condition of the shock absorbers regularly. If the anther is torn, dirt and moisture enter the mechanism, washing out the lubricant and causing corrosion. Replacing anther is inexpensive, but can save an expensive bearing. Also, monitor the integrity of the rubber seals at the top of the glass.
In winter, when the roads are sprinkled with reagents, try to wash the hood space more often. Corrosion of metal parts of the support can lead to the fact that the next replacement nuts boil, and dismantle the unit without damaging the parts will be extremely difficult. Regular lubrication of moving elements and control of the tightness of the anther is the key to the long service of the bearing.
Comparison with other models of the VAG concern
Construction of bearing bearings on Octavia A7 It is similar in many ways to similar sites on Volkswagen Golf 7, Skoda Rapid and Skoda Superb B7/B8. However, there are nuances in catalog numbers and types of fasteners. For example, on Superb often used more massive supports due to the increased weight of the car, which will not fit on the Octavia.
Owners Octavia A7 with diesel engines TDI It is worth paying special attention, as the weight of such a car is higher than that of the gasoline versions. This speeds up the wear of the suspension. In such cases, it is recommended to choose reinforced versions of bearings or higher quality brands with increased load capacity.
Interestingly, on some versions Octavia A7 (facelift) the design of the support glass has changed. Older models had easier mounting, while newer versions require more precise installation and use of specific gaskets. Always check the year of release and VIN code when ordering parts to avoid errors.
FAQ: Answers to popular questions
Is it possible to drive with a faulty support bearing?
Technically, yes, but it's dangerous. Wear of the support changes the geometry of the suspension, which worsens handling. With severe destruction, the rack can come out of the grooves, which will lead to loss of control over the car. You can only travel to the nearest service.
Do I need to replace bearings in pairs?
It is recommended to change both supports at the same time, even if one seems to be working. The resource is the same, and if one wears out, the second will soon fail. This will save money on re-working and installing.
How often should I change the bearings on the Octavia A7?
The average resource is from 80,000 to 100,000 km of run. However, if the roads are poor or if the driving is aggressive, a replacement may be required after 40,000 km. Regular diagnosis every 30,000 km will help to identify the problem in time.
Can I replace the stained glass with a glass?
In some cases, yes, if the metal glass has no corrosion and deformation. However, most manufacturers sell the supports in the assembly (with rubber and bearing), as it is more reliable and easier to install. It is cheaper and safer to change the knot completely.
Does the replacement of supports affect the collapse-convergence?
Yes, because the position of the top of the mounting rack changes. After replacing the supports, it is necessary to adjust the angles of the wheel installation to avoid the withdrawal of the car and uneven wear of the tires.