Many car owners mistakenly believe that replacing a shock absorber is a simple operation that can be postponed indefinitely. In fact, ignoring the problems with front-stack leads to accelerated wear of levers, Bushings and even the body. Timely diagnosis and competent selection of spare parts allow you to avoid expensive repairs and keep the dynamic characteristics of the car at a high level.
Design features of the suspension Skoda Rapid
Front suspension model Skoda Rapid The model is made according to the classic McPherson scheme, which is the standard for the budget and medium segment of cars. In this construction shock absorber strut plays the role of a guide element, perceiving both longitudinal and transverse loads. This makes it more vulnerable to impact than just a shock absorber in a separate housing.
A feature of this model is the use of a spring, which rests directly on the cup of the rack, and not on a separate lever. This simplifies the design, but requires the ideal condition of the upper bearing and the support itself. When you're out of action support bearing there are characteristic knocks when turning the steering wheel, which are often confused with the malfunction of the shock absorber itself.
It is important to note that the squats Skoda Rapid They are often equipped with integrated breakers and anthers, which reduces the amount of consumables when replaced. However, if the anther is torn, dirt and water quickly destroy the rod and odule, leading to loss of tightness.
Diagnosis of faults and signs of wear
To determine that the front racks require replacement, it is possible by a number of indirect and direct signs that are manifested in the behavior of the car. The most obvious symptom is the appearance of knocking and creaking when passing irregularities, especially at low speeds. If you hear a deaf metal knock from the front, it often indicates a backlash in the support bearing Or destroy the jack.
In addition to audible alerts, pay attention to controllability. If the car began to โswimโ on the road, it began to be brought in corners or during emergency braking, this is a sure sign of loss of damping properties. The shock absorber stops extinguishing the vibrations of the spring, and the car body continues to sway even after the passage of the obstacle.
โ ๏ธ Warning: If the vehicle continues to swing more than twice after letting go, the rack has completely lost its performance and requires immediate replacement.
Visual inspection can also tell a lot about the condition of the suspension. Look under the car or remove the wheel and check for oil stains on the shock absorber rod. Even a slight oiling of the stock indicates that the oil does not hold the oil, and soon the rack will lose its properties completely.
- ๐ The appearance of characteristic knocks when passing โlying police officersโ.
- ๐ Increased braking distance and instability during braking.
- ๐ Uneven wear of tires (spots or on one side).
Selection of spare parts: original or high-quality analogues?
When choosing front pillars for Skoda Rapid Car owners often face a dilemma: buy an expensive original kit or choose a quality analogue. Original parts from the Volkswagen Group VAGs guarantee factory performance, but their cost can be prohibitively high for regular maintenance.
There are many proven manufacturers offering products that are not inferior to the original, and sometimes exceed it in resource. These brands are Kyb, Sachs, Boge and Monroe. These companies are suppliers to the conveyors of many automakers, so their products have proven quality.
When buying, be sure to pay attention to the equipment. It is often more profitable to buy a โbareโ shock absorber and a separately supporting bearing with an anther than a finished assembly, since the latter are often overflowing with a markup. However, ready-made racks in the assembly save time and effort during installation, as they do not require disassembly of the spring.
| Brand | Type | Indicative resource | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachs | Original/Premium | 80-100 thousand km | Soft work, high comfort |
| Kyb (Excel-G) | Middle class | 60-80 thousand km | Stiffness, excellent handling |
| Monroe | Middle class | 70-90 thousand km | Balance of comfort and reliability |
| Febi Bilstein | Middle class | 60-70 thousand km | Good price/quality ratio |
Preparation for replacement and necessary tools
Before proceeding with the replacement front pillarsThe workspace and tool must be prepared. For this operation, you will need a lift or reliable rolling jacks with stands. Work on "goats" is mandatory, since safety when working with suspension is in the first place.
You will need a standard set of wrenches, including 13, 15, 17, 18 and 21 millimeter heads. Pay special attention to the springs if you plan to change the rack without buying a ready-made assembly. Spring compression This is the most dangerous stage of work, requiring accuracy and the use of a special tool.
โ๏ธ Preparation for replacement of Skoda Rapid racks
If you do not have experience with suspension, it is highly recommended to entrust the removal of the spring to professionals in the service to avoid injuries. Self-replacement is possible, but requires strict compliance with safety and the presence of a special tool.
- ๐ ๏ธ Torque wrench for precise tightening of bolts.
- ๐ ๏ธ Removal of springs (if you change the shock absorber separately).
- ๐ ๏ธ Brake cleaner and penetrating lubricant (WD-40).
Step-by-step instructions for replacing front struts
The replacement process begins with the dismantling of the wheel and the detachment of the brake hose and ABS wire from the bracket on the rack. Then you need to unscrew the nuts of the mounting of the rack to the turning fist. There are often difficulties here, as bolts can be โstommeredโ, so use penetrating lubricant in advance.
Next, it is necessary to dismantle the upper support in the underhood space. Unscrew three nuts of attachment of support to the body, keeping the shock absorber stem from turning with a special hexagon key or dynamometer key. Remove the rack in the assembly and install it on the workbench to replace the spring.
Common mistakes when replacing
Errors in tightening the bearing lead to its rapid destruction and the appearance of knocks when turning the steering wheel. Incorrect installation of the spring (displacement of cups) can lead to its offset on the go, which is extremely dangerous.
Collect a new rack by installing a new breaker and anther, as well as a support bearing. Set the assembled assembly on the car in reverse order. Be sure to tighten all fasteners with a dynamometer key using the puff moment values specified in the service book.
- Original VAG struts
- Quality analogues (Sachs, Kyb)
- Cheap analogues from the market
- Ready-made racks assembled
Important nuances after installation
After replacing the front struts with Skoda Rapid It is critical to complete the collapse-convergence. Any interference with the geometry of the suspension, including unscrewing the bolts of the rotary fist mounting, knocks down the angles of the wheel installation. Driving without adjustment will lead to rapid and uneven wear of the tires.
Do not forget to check the level of brake fluid, as when dismantling calipers or hoses, its leakage or suffocation of the system may occur. Also check the ABS system to make sure the wheel sensor is not damaged and the wiring is connected securely.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never tighten the bolts of the rotary fist mounting until the car is lowered to the ground and the wheels are loaded with the weight of the machine.
After the first trip on a new set of racks, it is recommended to re-check the tightening of all fasteners. Vibration and shrinkage of rubber bushings can lead to weakening of joints, which is dangerous for traffic safety.
Before replacing the racks, take a photo of the location of the spring and cups so that when assembled, you do not confuse their orientation, especially if the springs are of different colors or markings.
Operation and service life extension
To new front struts served as long as possible, it is important to observe the operation mode. Avoid sharp blows to the suspension when driving deep pits or lying police officers at high speed. Even high-quality shock absorbers are not eternal, and the impact load can instantly destroy their internal structure.
Regularly inspect the suspension for damage to the anthers and breakers. If the protective cover is torn, dirt and moisture will get on the stock, which will lead to bullies and oil leaks. Timely replacement of the anther can extend the life of the shock absorber by tens of thousands of kilometers.
Regular check of suspension condition and timely replacement of worn-out elements is a guarantee of safety and savings on capital repairs in the future.
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Avoid aggressive driving styles on bad roads.
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Keep an eye on the integrity of the rubber suspension elements.
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Get a suspension diagnosis at least once a year.
Owner Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I change the front pillars one at a time?
Theoretically possible, but strongly discouraged. The shock absorbers wear out synchronously, and replacing only one rack will lead to suspension imbalance, which will worsen handling and cause uneven tire wear. Better to change them as a pair.
How long does it take to replace front struts?
For an experienced craftsman, replacing one rack takes about 40-60 minutes. If you change both and do it with the replacement of bearings, it will take about 2-3 hours to work, including time to lift the car and prepare the tool.
Do I need to buy new bolts of the mounting of the fist?
Factory bolts often have a disposable design or can be damaged when dismantled. It is recommended to use new bolts or carefully check the old ones for deformation and failure of the thread before re-installation.
What happens if you donโt do a wheel alignment after replacement?
If you do not make a collapse-declination, the front tires will begin to wear out quickly, perhaps the appearance of "spotted" wear. In addition, the car can lead away when driving in a straight line, which reduces the safety of control.
Can I use the cartridges from other Volkswagen models?
Although the PQ25 platform is used on many cars, the geometry of the suspension is a very important part of the system. Skoda Rapid It has its own characteristics. It is better to use racks specifically designed for this model to avoid installation and performance issues.