The suspension of the car is a complex system, responsible not only for comfort, but also for your safety on the road. Over time, the parts wear out, and the owners Škoda Octavia A5 Often face the problem of knocking and loss of controllability. This is especially true for front pillars, which take on the main loads when driving on irregularities.
Many car owners prefer to change only shock absorberIt leaves an old spring and a support, but this is a mistaken approach. During operation, rubber elements tan, and bearings of supports lose mobility, which negates the effect of the new part. Replacing the entire rack assembly or completely repairing the unit with the replacement of all components is the only way to ensure the correct operation of the suspension on cars with a mileage of more than 100 thousand kilometers.
Diagnosis of front suspension malfunctions
Before starting the dismantling, you need to make sure that the problem lies in the racks. Characteristic symptoms of wear are difficult to confuse with other breakdowns. If when passing the "spoken policemen" you hear a deaf blow from the front, and the steering wheel begins to vibrate at speed, these are sure signs that the shock absorbers have worked out their life.
Visual inspection can also tell a lot about the condition of the suspension. Inspect the front of the car by looking into the arches. The presence of oil traces on the body of the shock absorber indicates a loss of sealability of the ossels. Also pay attention to the condition of the anthers and breakers: if they are torn, the shock absorber operates in an aggressive mode, which accelerates its destruction.
Do not ignore the behavior of the car in the corners. If the machine is heavily heeled or seems to be “floating”, this indicates a loss of damping properties. Check the condition of the springs: sometimes they can have cracks or sag, changing the clearance and angles of the wheels. In such cases, replacing the shock absorber alone will not solve the problem.
- 🔊 Deaf knocks and blows when passing irregularities.
- 💧 Oil leaks on the shock-absorbing rack.
- 📉 Increased braking distance and instability in cornering.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to diagnose the suspension by simply swaying the body of the car manually. This method often gives false positive results and does not allow to detect wear of bearings of supports or backlashes in the Bushings.
Selection of components: original or analogues
Spare parts market for Škoda Octavia A5 It is overloaded with offers, and choosing the right manufacturer is half the success. Official original number Often overpriced, as parts come in branded boxes, but inside may be the same products as proven partner brands.
The most popular and reliable manufacturers are KYB (Kayaba), Sachs and Boge. These companies supply products to the conveyors of many automakers, including the VAG concern. Stands off KYB The Excel-G series is considered a great replacement for standard parts, providing a balance between comfort and rigidity. For those who prefer a more sporty ride, suitable products from Bilstein.
Saving on suspension is strictly not recommended. Cheap Chinese analogues often can not withstand 10 thousand kilometers, losing oil and falling apart on the body. In addition, poor-quality springs can sink in one season, changing the geometry of the suspension. Be sure to check the availability of quality certificates and production date before buying.
- ✅ KYB - optimal ratio of price and quality, high reliability.
- ✅ Sachs German quality, excellent comfort and durability.
- ✅ Monroe A decent alternative, often cheaper than market leaders.
- Original VAG
- KYB
- Sachs
- Monroe
- Budget analogue
Necessary tools and preparation
To carry out work on replacing the front racks, you will need a spacious box and a set of high-quality tools. Self-replacement requires physical strength and skills with suspension, so it is better to perform the procedure on the observation pit or overpass. The standard set of tools includes a jack, car stands and a set of heads.
The key is the presence of a spring remover. Without this tool, it is almost impossible to dismantle the rack, since the spring is under great tension. Attempts to disassemble the knot without a filmmaker can lead to severe injuries and damage to parts. You will also need a dynamometer key to tighten the fastener properly.
Before starting work, you need to prepare the car: tighten the hand brake, put the stops under the rear wheels and unscrew the bolts of the front wheels mounting. Lift the car with a jack and be sure to install it on reliable stands. Remember that the jack is only used to lift, not to hold the weight of the car while running.
☑️ Preparing for replacement
Step-by-step instructions for dismantling and installation
Start the process by unscrewing the caliper fastener and the rotating fist. First, unscrew the two caliper mount bolts to the swivel fist, but do not remove them completely so as not to damage the brake hose. Hang the caliper on a wire or hook so that it does not hang on the hose. Then unscrew the nut of the mounting of the rack to the swivel fist and knock the bolt.
Move to the top of the rack in the underhood space. Open the hood and find three nuts attaching the shock absorber support to the body. Unscrew them carefully, in turn, so as not to move the spring. After removing the nut, you can lower the rack down and remove it from the arch. Be careful, the weight of the detail can be significant.
The assembly is done in reverse order. If you change only the shock absorber, it must be transplanted onto the old spring and support using the removable. Put the knot together, making sure the spring sits in its seating positions. Install the assembled rack on the car, tighten the bolt in the swivel fist, then fix the upper supports and install the wheel.
Important nuances of puffing
The nut of attaching the rack to the rotary fist should be tightened only under load, that is, when the wheel is on the ground. Otherwise, the Bushing can twist and quickly collapse.
Pay special attention to the moment of tightening. All connections must be tightened with a certain effort. Use the dynamometer key to check the values. Do not pull the bolts, as this can lead to the failure of the thread or deformation of parts. After installation, be sure to check the puff after a few days of operation.
- 🛠️ Use the spring removable to safely disassemble the node.
- 🛠️ Tighten the bolt in the swivel fist with the car lowered.
- 🛠️ Check the condition of the anther and breaker before installation.
⚠️ Warning: Never unscrew the nut of the shock absorber rod unless the spring is compressed by the remover. The release of spring tension without control can lead to death or severe injuries to the hands and face.
Proper tightening of the fastener under load (when the wheel is on the ground) is critical for the durability of the pivoting fist’s silent blocks.
Technical characteristics and specifics of the model
Car Škoda Octavia A5 It has several suspension options depending on the year of production and the type of engine. For the 1.6 MPI and 1.4 TSI engines, struts with certain stiffness characteristics are used that differ from versions with 1.8 TSI or 2.0 TDI turbo engines. Incorrect selection can lead to discomfort and overload of elements.
Below is a table with indicative tightening moments of the main connections of the front suspension. This is relevant for most model modifications, but always check the technical documentation for your specific VIN.
| Fastening element | Tightening torque (Nm) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt attachment to the swivel fist | 200 + 90° | Tighten with load on wheels |
| Upper support nuts | 20 | Tighten in 2 stages |
| Shock absorber rod nut | 45 + 90° | Use a hexagon on 6 |
| Anti-roll bar bolt | 25 | Check the condition of the bushings |
Pay attention to the shock absorber's nut. It has a specific puff, requiring an additional 90 degrees. For this purpose, a dynamometer key with an angle function or a special template is often used. Neglecting this rule will lead to a rapid failure of the upper support bearing.
Before buying new racks, be sure to check the VIN code of the car, as different types of suspension (regular or sports Sportline) could be put on the same model.
Demise after replacement of pillars
After replacing the front struts with Škoda Octavia A5 The obligatory procedure is to adjust the angles of installation of wheels. Even with careful dismantling and installation, the parameters of collapse and convergence can change. This directly affects tire wear and vehicle behaviour on the track.
If you don’t make a descent-crash, the tires may start to “bit” which will cause them to fail quickly. In addition, the car can lead away when driving in a straight line, which creates an emergency situation. The cost of this service pays off very quickly due to the savings on tires and safety.
In some cases, if only shock absorbers were changed without disassembling the levers, adjustment may not be necessary, but the risk is still high. Better to be safe and check the corners. The master on the stand will also be able to inspect the state of the levers and Bushings, which could receive a load when working with the suspension.
Some craftsmen may suggest not making a breakup if you only change shock absorbers and use old springs. This is only permissible if you are sure that the springs have not subsided and the geometry is not broken. However, when replacing the entire rack in the collection, adjustment is mandatory.
Replacing the racks almost always requires adjusting the angles of the wheels, as the geometry of the suspension and the position of the levers change.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to change racks one at a time?
Technically possible, but not recommended. The shock absorbers wear out the same way, so replacing only one rack will result in a suspension imbalance. The machine will be less manageable, and the new part may fail faster due to uneven load.
Do I need to change the bearings?
If you are changing racks at a run of more than 100,000 km, replacement of bearings is mandatory. Older bearings often have a backlash or jamming, which will cause knocking and make it difficult to turn the steering wheel even on new racks.
How do you know if the slacks have served a little longer?
If there are no obvious leaks of oil, knocking and deterioration of handling, you can wait. Regular inspections every 20,000 km are required. A simple test is to sharply press the corner of the hood and release: if the car swung more than twice, the shock absorber can no longer cope.
How long does it take to replace?
For an experienced master, the replacement of two front pillars takes about 1.5-2 hours. A beginner without experience may take 3-4 hours, especially if the mounting bolts are attached to the rotating fist.