Rear suspension in a car Skoda Octavia A5 It is a critically important node, providing not only comfortable driving, but also the safety of driving. This model, built on the platform of the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35), received an independent multi-link design at the rear, which for its class and year of release was a real breakthrough in engineering thought. Owners often praise this car for excellent exchange rate stability, but it is the complex geometry of the rear axle that requires increased attention from the car owner.
Faults in this system do not appear immediately, but grow gradually, causing extraneous knocks, deterioration of handling and increased wear of tires. Ignoring even light noise when passing roughness can lead to expensive repairs in the future. Multi-link suspension It requires periodic diagnosis, since it has a large number of mobile compounds subject to stress.
Design features of the Octavia A5 rear axle
The basis of the rear suspension are four levers on each side, connected to each other and with the body through special rubber metal hinges - Bushings. This scheme allows each wheel to work independently, which minimizes the transfer of shocks to the body. The design provides for the presence of longitudinal and transverse levers, as well as the Panhard thrust, which is responsible for the transverse positioning of the axis.
It is important to understand that suspension geometry on Skoda Octavia A5 It is strictly specified by the manufacturer and is not subject to serious adjustment without specialized equipment. The shock rack is a load-bearing element that perceives vertical loads and extinguishes vibrations. The state of the spring depends on the clearance and nature of the entire system.
Some owners mistakenly believe that if the machine does not knock, then the knot is in good working order. However, wear of rubber elements can occur imperceptibly, leading to a change in collapse-convergence and rapid failure of other parts. Rear suspension levers They are made of aluminum or steel, but most often they break in the places where the Bushings are fastened.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the bearings and brackets for fastening shock absorbers. At high speeds or aggressive driving, the load on these elements increases many times. It is the wear of the rear bushings that is the cause of 80% of all complaints about extraneous sounds in the Octavia A5 suspension.
Common Symptoms of Problems
The problem can be determined by a number of characteristic signs that appear when the car moves. The very first signal is a deaf metal knock or creak when passing by speeding policemen or pits. The sound can come from either side of the rear axle. If you hear creaking when turning the steering wheel in place or when maneuvering, the problem is most likely to lie in the Silent Blocks.
The second obvious sign is uneven tire wear. If you notice that the rubber wears faster from the inside or outside, this indicates a violation of the angles of the wheel installation. Wheel alignment It can โswimโ even after a minor impact or wear of the levers. The driver may also feel the car's " yaw" on the road when the car is constantly pulled to the side.
- ๐ Strong knocks and blows from behind when passing irregularities
- ๐ Car pulls to the side when driving in a straight line
- ๐ Fast and uneven wear of rear tyres
- ๐ Reduction of clearance or subsidence of one side of the body
Sometimes the problem is disguised as a malfunction of the brake system or a hub bearing. To precisely localize the source of noise, it is necessary to conduct a visual inspection and check the backlashes. Shock absorbers may be serviceable, but if the brackets of the mount are destroyed, the effect will be the same as when the rack is completely out of order.
Do-it-yourself diagnostics and testing of components
Before you go to the service, you can conduct the initial diagnosis yourself. For this you will need an observation pit or lift, as well as mounting. Lift the back of the car so that the wheels rotate freely, and try to sway them with your hands. The luft in the hub or levers should be completely absent.
Examine rubber elements for cracks, stratifications, and traces of oil. If the Silent block is broken, the rubber has detached from the metal sleeve or deep cracks are visible - the part should be replaced immediately. Do not delay with this, since a destroyed Bushing can damage the lever or body mount. Visual inspection It takes no more than 15 minutes, but can save thousands of rubles.
Check the condition of shock absorbers for the presence of oil stains. If the case of the rack is wet, then the oal has lost its tightness, and the shock absorber does not perform its functions. Also pay attention to springs: the presence of cracks or traces of corrosion in the areas of contact with supports is a reason for replacement. Use it. hammer, to gently tap the levers, and listen if there is crunch in the attachment places.
- Knocking on bumps
- Creaking when turning
- Uneven tire wear
- Pulling the car to the side
Selection of spare parts: original or analogues?
The auto parts market offers a huge selection of options for Skoda Octavia A5. Original from Skoda/VW It guarantees perfect compatibility and durability, but the price of such components is often overstated. Many owners choose high-quality analogues from proven manufacturers, which are not inferior to the original in reliability.
The most popular brands for replacing levers and Bushings are considered Lemfรถrder, TRW, Febi Bilstein and SWAG. These companies are often direct suppliers of components for the Volkswagen Group conveyors. Cheap Chinese counterparts or unknown brands can last only a few thousand kilometers, creating additional problems.
When choosing shock absorbers, you should pay attention to brands KYB, Sachs or Boge. They offer both standard spring shock absorbers and gas-filled versions for more sporty riding. Silent blocks It is better to buy in the lever assembly if the lever is plastic or has a complex shape, although in some cases overpressing is possible.
| Part name | Original article (example) | Popular analogues | Approximate resource (km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lever back top | 1K0 505 451 | Lemfรถrder, Moog, Febi | 100 000 - 150 000 |
| Lever silent block | 1K0 505 453 | Corteco, Lemfรถrder | 80 000 - 120 000 |
| Rear shock absorber | 1K0 412 031 | KYB, Sachs, Boge | 100 000 - 150 000 |
| Rear spring | 1K0 511 105 | SWAG, Topran, Febi | More than 200,000 |
Should I change the levers in the collection?
In most cases, the arms on the Octavia A5 have an indissoluble design of the Bushings. If the lever is aluminum, overpressing is possible, but requires a hydraulic press. The plastic levers change only in the collection. Savings on overpressing can lead to rapid wear of new Bushings due to microcracks on the metal when pressed.
Rear suspension replacement instructions
Replacement of rear suspension elements is a task of medium complexity, which can be dealt with in a garage in the presence of a lift or a hole. The process requires accuracy, as the springs are under high voltage. Security should be in the first place: use reliable stands for the body, never work under a machine that relies only on a jack.
Before starting work, it is necessary to loosen the wheel mount bolts, lift the car and remove the wheels. Then you need to unscrew the bolts of the shock absorber attachment to the body and to the hub. Be careful with the brake hose and ABS wiring so as not to damage them when dismantled. After removing the shock absorber, carefully compress the spring using a special remover, and remove it.
โ๏ธ Preparing to replace the lever
Installation of new parts is done in reverse order. It is important to tighten the bolts of the levers and shock absorbers attachment only when the car is on wheels and the suspension is under load. If they are tightened by weight, the Bushings will be twisted, which will lead to their rapid destruction. Use the dynamometer key to observe the tightening moments specified in the service book.
After assembly, be sure to visit the stand of the collapse-descendence. Even the slightest deviation in the installation of levers can disrupt geometry. Rear wheel deflection The Octavia A5 is adjusted by moving eccentric bolts in the places where the levers are attached to the body. Donโt neglect this stage, otherwise the new tires will wear off in a couple of thousand kilometers.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never try to remove the spring without a special remover! Released under load spring can fly out with great force, causing serious injuries or damaging property.
โ ๏ธ WARNING: When tightening the lever mount bolts, make sure the car is standing on the ground. Puff on weight will lead to pretension of the Bushings and their rupture after 10-20 thousand kilometers.
Before unscrewing the bolts of the lever attachment, mark their position with a marker relative to the body. This will help you to set up a rough convergence faster when assembly, if you do it without a stand immediately after repair.
Why is it important to replace worn parts on time?
Failure to repair the rear suspension in a timely manner can lead to a chain reaction of breakdowns. The worn lever begins to โwalkโ, creating shock loads on the body elements, which can lead to the formation of cracks in the welds. Body damage. In places of attachment of suspension to fix is extremely difficult and expensive.
In addition, the faulty suspension directly affects the braking distance. In case of emergency braking, a wheel with a worn shock absorber or a silent block can jump, losing contact with the road. This increases the risk of an accident. The handling of the car also suffers: the car becomes less predictable in cornering, which is especially dangerous at high speeds or in rain.
Regular diagnosis and timely replacement of worn suspension elements is not just a matter of comfort, but the foundation of safety for you and your passengers on the road.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
How long does the rear suspension go on the Octavia A5?
Resource rear levers and silent blocks with a quiet ride is from 100 to 150 thousand kilometers. Shock absorbers can serve up to 150-200 thousand, but their effectiveness is gradually reduced. In bad roads, the resource can be reduced by half.
Can I drive with a faulty Bushing?
Short term yes, but it's dangerous. Worn-out bushing changes the geometry of the suspension, which leads to loss of stability and accelerated wear of other units. It is recommended to replace the part at the first sign of malfunction.
Do I need to do a wheel alignment after replacement?
Yes, I will. Any work that affects the attachment of levers to the body violates the angles of installation of the wheels. Without adjusting the descent and collapse, the car will โfloatโ along the road, and the tires will wear off unevenly.
What tools are needed to replace the suspension?
You will need a set of heads and keys, a jack, stands, a dynamometer key, a spring remover and a mount. A long collar or pneumatic tool may be required to work with hub bolts.
Can I put on sports springs?
Technically possible, but it will change the ground clearance and stiffness of the suspension. Sports springs require the installation of appropriate shock absorbers. Make sure the kit is designed specifically for the PQ35 platform, so as not to disrupt the ABS and ESP.