Replacing the rear pillar on a ŠKODA Octavia A5: a detailed guide with photos and tips

Rear shock absorber strut on ŠKODA Octavia A5 (including restyled versions 2009–2013) is one of the key elements of the suspension, which directly affects comfort and safety. Over time, the struts wear out: knocking noises appear when driving over uneven surfaces, the car begins to “sag” when cornering or sway after hitting bumps. If you notice these symptoms, it's time to consider a replacement.

In this article we will look at how replace the rear strut yourself on Octavia A5 without contacting the service. You will learn what tools you will need, how to properly remove the old part, what nuances to consider when installing a new one, and how to avoid common mistakes. The instructions are suitable for all body modifications (liftback, station wagon Combi, as well as versions with all-wheel drive 4x4).

Signs of a faulty rear pillar on an Octavia A5

The first signal that the struts require replacement is a change in the car's behavior. On Octavia A5 With worn shock absorbers the following are often observed:

• 🔊 Knocks or squeaks in the rear of the body when driving on uneven roads, especially at low speeds.
• 🌊 Excessive swing body after passing speed bumps or potholes (the car “nods” back and forth for a long time).
• 🚗 Moving to the side when braking or cornering - this is due to uneven wear of the struts.
• 💧 Oil leaks on the shock absorber body (visible during visual inspection).
• 📏 Uneven rear tire wear, especially along the inner or outer edge.

On Octavia A5 With a mileage of more than 100,000 km, it is recommended to check the struts every 20,000–30,000 km, even if there are no obvious signs of wear. This is especially true for cars operated on bad roads or with constant overload (for example, station wagons Combi with the trunk loaded).

⚠️ Attention: If, after replacing one strut, the car begins to “pull” to the side, most likely, the second strut is also worn out and requires replacement. On Octavia A5 It is recommended to replace the racks in pairs, even if one of them looks good.

Which racks to choose for replacement: original vs analogues

When choosing rear struts for ŠKODA Octavia A5 Owners have three main options:

1. Original racks from VW Group (article 1Z1 513 021/022 for left/right side). They guarantee full compatibility, but are more expensive than their analogues (from 8,000 to 12,000 rubles per piece).
2. Premium analogues from Bilstein (B4 or B6 series), KYB (Excel-G) or Sachs. These brands are often installed on the assembly line and offer quality comparable to the original at a price of 5,000–7,000 rubles.
3. Budget analogues from Monroe, Febi or TRW. They cost less (3,000–5,000 rubles), but the resource may be lower. Suitable for temporary replacement or low mileage vehicles.

For Octavia A5 with all-wheel drive (4x4 Haldex) it is important to choose racks with a reinforced structure, since the load on the rear axle is higher. Also note fastening type: On restyled models (after 2009), the upper supports may differ.

Brand	Article (left/right)	Price (for 1 piece), rub.	Features
Original (VW)	1Z1 513 021 / 1Z1 513 022	8 000–12 000	2 year warranty, fully compatible
Bilstein B4	22-144600 / 22-144601	5 500–7 000	Reinforced design, suitable for 4x4
KYB Excel-G	344387 / 344388	4 800–6 000	Softer than the original, good for city driving
Monroe	E3447 / E3448	3 500–4 500	Budget option, resource ~50,000 km

On Octavia A5 models with the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) system, after replacing the struts, it may be necessary to reset the sensor adaptation. This is done through a diagnostic scanner (for example, VCDS or OBDeleven) in the block 03-ABS Brakes.

Tools and materials for replacement

To replace the rear strut yourself with Octavia A5 you will need:

• 🔧 Set of sockets and keys (required to have a head on 18 mm for rod nut and socket wrench on 13 mm for attaching the stand to the fist).
• 🔩 Torque wrench (to tighten the nuts to the required torque: 50 Nm for top mounting and 80 Nm for the lower one).
• 🛠️ Spring puller (required for safe removal of the strut, as the spring is under high tension!).
• 🔧 Torx T30 (for unscrewing the upper support on some modifications).
• 🧴 Penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40 or Liqui Moly MoS2) for processing soured bolts.
• 🔨 Hammer and chisel (may be required to remove stuck nuts).
• 🚗 Jack and stops (or a lift, if possible).

Also prepare new nuts and bolts (especially if the old ones have traces of corrosion). On Octavia A5 Bolts with size are often used M10x1.25 (bottom mount) and M12x1.5 (top).

Loosen the strut mounting nuts (do not remove completely!)|Treat the threaded connections with penetrating lubricant|Jack up the car and secure the front wheels with jacks|Remove the rear wheel and clean the arch from dirt|Prepare a spring puller and a torque wrench-->

⚠️ Attention: Never try to disassemble a strut without a spring remover! Tension in the spring can cause it to suddenly “shoot” and cause serious injury. On Octavia A5 The springs are especially elastic due to the high rigidity of the suspension.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the rear strut

The process of replacing the rack with Octavia A5 takes about 1.5–2 hours per side. Follow this algorithm:

1. Vehicle preparation:
   • Place the car on a level surface, engage first gear (or P for automatic transmission) and place chocks under the front wheels.
   • Loosen the rear wheel nuts, then jack up the vehicle and remove the wheel.
2. Removing the old rack:
   • Unscrew the two bolts of the lower mounting of the strut to the knuckle (size 13 mm). If the bolts are stuck, use penetrating lubricant and light hammer blows.
   • In the passenger compartment, remove the plastic plug above the upper support of the pillar (under the decorative trim of the trunk). Unscrew the rod nut (18 mm) - for this you will need to keep the rod from turning (you can use a hexagon or a special key).
   • Remove the strut assembly with the spring. Be careful - the spring may be under tension!
3. Disassembling and installing a new rack:
   • Clamp the strut in a vise and, using a spring puller, compress the spring until the top support is released.
   • Remove the upper support, boot and bump stop. Inspect them for wear and replace if necessary.
   • Transfer all the parts (support, boot, bumper) to the new rack. Make sure that the bump stop is installed correctly (with the mark facing up!).
   • Compress the spring with a puller and fix it on the new strut. Tighten the rod nut preliminary (final tightening is after installation on the vehicle).
4. Installing the rack on the car:
   • Install the strut in the reverse order: first the top mount (tighten the rod nut with a torque wrench to 50 Nm), then the lower bolts (80 Nm).
   • Make sure all rubber bushings and gaskets are in place to prevent squeaks.

After replacing both racks be sure to check the wheel alignment rear wheels. On Octavia A5 it is adjusted by eccentric bolts on the levers, but after tampering with the suspension, the adjustment may be lost.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes when replacing struts with Octavia A5. Here are the most common of them:

• 🔧 Incorrect tightening of nuts:

  If the rod nut is overtightened, it can damage the rubber bushing of the upper support and cause squeaks. If you don’t tighten it enough, the stand will “dangle.” Use a torque wrench!

• 🔄 Confused right/left struts:

  On Octavia A5 the racks are not always symmetrical (especially on models with 4x4). Check the markings on the housing before installation.

• 🚗 Ignoring checking brake hoses:

  When removing the strut, it is easy to damage the brake hose, which is attached next to it. Make sure it is not pinched or frayed.

• 🔨 No spring puller:

  Attempts to disassemble a rack without a puller often result in injury. Don't take risks!

Another common problem is squeaks after replacement. They arise due to:

• Poorly tightened fasteners.
• Lack of lubrication on rubber bushings.
• Worn upper supports (they also need to be changed when replacing the racks!).

What should I do if after replacing the strut the car became stiffer?

If the new strut is stiffer than the original (for example, Bilstein B6 instead of B4), this is normal - it provides better handling, but comfort may be reduced. If the stiffness is excessive, check:

1. Correct installation of the bump stop and boot.

2. Condition of the upper support (perhaps it is cracked).

3. Tire pressure (over-inflated tires increase rigidity).

Do I need to do a wheel alignment after replacement?

On ŠKODA Octavia A5 rear suspension - multi-link, and replacement struts may affect wheel alignment angles. However, unlike the front suspension, changing the camber here is less critical. However:

• ✅ Be sure to check your wheel alignment, if:
  • Not only the racks were replaced, but also the levers or silent blocks.
  • The car pulls to the side when driving in a straight line.
  • There is uneven wear on the rear tires.
• ❌ Can be done without adjustment, if:
  • The racks were replaced on one side at a time (for example, only the left one).
  • Before the replacement, the wheel alignment was normal and no other work was done on the suspension.

Cost of adjusting rear camber Octavia A5 in service is about 1,000–1,500 rubles. If you replaced the struts yourself, it makes sense to check the angles on a stand - it’s cheaper than later having to buy new tires due to uneven wear.

How much does a service replacement cost?

If you do not want to replace it yourself, you can contact the service. Cost of work to replace rear struts Octavia A5 varies depending on the region and service station level:

Service type	Cost for 1 rack, rub.	Cost per pair, rub.	Working hours
Official dealer ŠKODA	3 500–5 000	6 000–9 000	2–3 hours
Specialized car service	2 000–3 500	3 500–6 000	1.5–2 hours
Garage workshops	1 200–2 000	2 000–3 500	1–1.5 hours

Usually included in price not included:

• Wheel alignment adjustment (another +1,000–1,500 rubles).
• Replacement of upper supports or bump stops (if required).
• Diagnostics ESP/Haldex (relevant for 4x4).

Self-replacement will only cost the cost of spare parts (from 6,000 rubles for a pair of budget racks) and tools (if you don’t have them, you can rent a spring puller for 500–1,000 rubles).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing rear struts on Octavia A5

Is it possible to drive if the strut is leaking, but it still holds?

If the strut is leaking, but does not knock and the car does not sway, you can drive, but not for long (1,000–2,000 km maximum). Oil leaks out of the strut gradually, and soon its shock-absorbing properties will disappear. It is especially dangerous to drive with a leaking strut at high speeds or on bad roads - this can lead to loss of control.

Do I need to change the springs along with the struts?

Springs on Octavia A5 last longer than racks (150,000–200,000 km). Their replacement is required only if:

• The spring has sagged (can be seen from the gap between the wheel and the arch - it should be the same on both sides).
• There are cracks or corrosion on the coils.
• The car has become noticeably lower (for example, after an accident or prolonged overload).

If the springs are in good condition, they can be left.

How to check if a strut needs replacing?

The simplest ways to check:

1. Swing: Press on the back of the car and release quickly. If the body makes more than 1-2 oscillations, the strut is worn out.
2. Visual inspection: Oil leaks, corrosion on the rod or cracks on the boot are signs of a malfunction.
3. Audition: Knocks when driving over small irregularities (for example, asphalt joints) at low speed.

For an accurate diagnosis, it is better to visit a service center with a vibration stand.

Which struts are best to install for a comfortable ride?

For soft suspension Octavia A5 will fit:

• KYB Excel-G softer than the original, well extinguish small irregularities.
• Sachs Super Touring — optimal balance of comfort and controllability.
• Original racks If you want to keep your factory characteristics.

Avoid sports options (for example, Bilstein B6 or Koni Sport), if the priority is comfort rather than dynamics.

What happens if you don’t change the bars for a long time?

Consequences of ignoring the wear of the racks:

• Deterioration of handling (the car “floats” in corners, the braking distance increases).
• Rapid wear of other suspension elements (silent blocks, ball, hub bearings).
• The risk of damage to the body during severe impacts (worn racks do not extinguish the energy, and it is transmitted to the metal).
• Uneven tire wear (you will have to change them ahead of schedule).

On Octavia A5 with worn-out racks can also work ESP (Due to the unstable behavior of the body).