Replacing rear struts on a Škoda Octavia Tour: instructions with photos and recommendations

Rear struts (shock absorbers) on Škoda Octavia Tour - a critical element of the suspension, on which not only comfort, but also control safety depends. Over time, even the original racks Bilstein, Sachs or Monroe lose efficiency: knocking noises appear, road grip deteriorates, and the body begins to “sag” when braking. If you notice that the car has become worse at “swallowing” bumps, or after passing a speed bump, the rear end bounces like a ball, it’s time to think about replacing it.

In this article we will walk through the entire process from diagnostics to installation of new racks, including selection of spare parts, the necessary tool and typical mistakes. The instructions are relevant for Octavia Tour generations A5 (1Z), A7 (5E) and restyled versions (FL). We will pay special attention to the nuances that are often missed in standard manuals - for example, how to properly “compress” the springs without the risk of them jumping off, or why new struts can knock during the first 500 km.

Signs of wear on rear struts: when is it time to change?

Rear shock absorbers Octavia Tour wear out gradually, and many drivers get used to the deterioration in handling, attributing it to “car features.” Here 5 Key Symptoms, which signal the need for replacement:

• 🔊 Knocking or squeaking in the rear when driving over bumps (even at low speed). Often confused with wear of silent blocks, but the racks are checked first.
• 🌊 "Wave" after bumps: The body swings 2-3 times instead of one smooth movement. This is a sign of loss of damping properties.
• 🛑 Rear sag during sudden braking or acceleration (visible by changing the angle of the headlights).
• 💧 Oil leaks on the rack body. Even if the shock absorber is still working, oil traces mean that the seals have been destroyed and it will soon fail.
• 🔄 Uneven rear tire wear (especially along the inner edge). This is an indirect sign, but when combined with other symptoms it confirms the problem.

On Octavia Tour With a mileage of 100,000 km or more, the struts most often “die” precisely due to loss of tightness: oil leaks out, and gas (in gas-oil versions) ceases to compensate for the pressure. You can check this visually - just look under the wheel arch. If oil stains are visible on the strut boot, this is 100% indicator for replacement, even if externally the shock absorber looks intact.

⚠️ Attention: On machines with the system DSG Worn rear struts can cause jerking when changing gears! This is due to changes in suspension geometry and load on the box. If you plan to service along with replacing the racks DSG, do it in one service - it’s easier to identify interrelated problems.

Which racks to choose: original vs analogues

Original rear struts for Octavia Tour supplies VW Group under the articles 6Q0 513 025/026 (for A5) and 5Q0 513 025/026 (for A7). They cost from 8,000 to 12,000 rubles apiece, but this is not always justified. Analogues from trusted brands are often not inferior in resource, and sometimes even surpass the original (for example, Bilstein B4 or Sachs Super Touring).

Brand	Article (right/left)	Type	Average price, rubles	Features
Original (VW)	6Q0 513 025/026	Gas-oil	8 000–12 000	The quality is stable, but often counterfeited. Check the packaging for holograms.
Bilstein	B4 22-186663/64	Gas-oil	7 500–9 000	Tougher than the original, but last longer. Suitable for active driving.
Sachs	315 518/519	Gas-oil	6 500–8 000	Softer Bilstein, more comfortable for the city. Often installed in official services.
Monroe	G4560/G4561	Gas-oil	5 000–6 500	A budget option, but the resource is 20–30% lower. Suitable for a quiet ride.
KYB	349073/349074	Oily	4 500–6 000	Good for regions with bad roads, but can “sweat” after 50,000 km.

When choosing, pay attention to shock absorber type:

• 🔹 Gas-oil (Bilstein, Sachs) - tougher, but more accurate on the road. Optimal for the track.
• 🔹 Oily (KYB, Monroe) - softer, more comfortable in the city, but can overheat during aggressive driving.

For Octavia Tour with loading (for example, you often transport cargo), it is better to take racks with reinforced springs or additionally install spacers. If the car is operated mainly in the city, standard gas-oil analogues are sufficient.

Tools and preparation: what you need for replacement

Replacing rear struts with Octavia Tour does not require a hole or a lift - just a jack and reliable stops. However, it is impossible to do without special devices. Here is the complete list of tools:

• 🔧 Spring stands (required! Without them, removing the spring is dangerous).
• 🔧 Socket heads at 13, 15, 17 and 19 mm (for rack and lever mounts).
• 🔧 Extension and ratchet — without them it’s difficult to reach the top bolt of the strut.
• 🔧 6 mm hexagon (to fix the rod when unscrewing the nut).
• 🔧 WD-40 or equivalent — fasteners often stick, especially in the lower part.
• 🔧 Torque wrench (for tightening with the correct torque: 50–60 Nm for the upper fastening, 80–100 Nm for the lower).
• 🔧 Hammer and pry bar - may be needed to knock out stuck bolts.

Before starting work, be sure to:

1. Place the machine on a level surface and fix the front wheels stops.
2. Loosen the wheel nuts, but do not remove it completely before jacking it up.
3. If the struts are gas-oil, do not press the rod after removal - this may damage the internal structure.

⚠️ Attention: On Octavia Tour with the system 4Motion the rear struts are linked to a multi-link suspension. When replacing, be sure to check the condition silent blocks of levers and step bearing — their wear accelerates the failure of the racks!

Step-by-step instructions: how to remove and install rear struts

The replacement process is the same for the left and right sides, but it is better to start with a more worn rack (determined by smudges or knocking). Let's look at the algorithm using an example Octavia Tour A7:

Step 1: Removing the Old Rack

1. Raise the rear of the car with a jack and remove the wheel.

2. Unscrew two bolts securing the strut to the knuckle (bottom part). They often stick - use WD-40 and a hammer with an attachment.

3. In the cabin, remove plastic plug above the pillar mount (under the rear seat or in the trunk, depending on the year of manufacture).

4. Hold the stem with a 6 mm hexagon and unscrew top nut wrench 17 mm. Be careful - the spring is under tension!

5. Carefully remove the strut and spring assembly. If the spring gets stuck on the cup, use a pry bar.

Step 2: Disassemble and install new rack

1. Clamp the stand into spring stands and compress the spring until the upper support is released.

2. Unscrew the rod nut and disassemble the assembly: it can be removed from below boot, bumper and spring cup.

3. Transfer all parts (except worn ones) to the new rack. Please note bumper orientation - it must be installed with the wide part down.

4. Reassemble the assembly in reverse order, evenly tightening the rod nut. The spring should sit smoothly, without distortion.

Step 3: Installation and Testing

1. Place the stand in place, starting with top mount. Tighten the nuts only after the machine has been lowered onto the wheels!

2. Screw the lower bolts to the knuckle. Use a torque wrench: tightening torque - 80–100 Nm.

3. After assembly rock the car several times behind the back so that the racks “sit down”.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing rear struts with Octavia Tour. Here are the most common mistakes and their consequences:

• 🔧 Incorrect top nut tightening (too weak or too strong). If the tightening is weak, the rod will “walk”; if tightened too tightly, the seal will be damaged. Optimal moment: 50–60 Nm.
• 🔧 Right/left pillars mixed up. On Octavia Tour they are visually similar, but have different rigidity. The right pillar is usually marked with a red mark.
• 🔧 Ignoring anthers and bump stops. If you leave the old ones, they will quickly tear and ruin the new shock absorbers.
• 🔧 Untested silent blocks of levers. Worn silent blocks transmit vibration to the racks, reducing their service life.

Another common problem is uneven loading after replacement. If you install racks of different stiffness (for example, Bilstein left and Monroe on the right), the car will “pull” to the side when braking. Always change stands a couple, even if one looks fine.

⚠️ Attention: On Octavia Tour with the system EDS (electronic differential lock) after replacing the struts an error may light up ESP! This is due to changes in body height. To reset the error, you need to calibrate the sensors: start the car, turn the steering wheel all the way left/right and turn off the ignition. If the error remains, diagnostics is required.

How long do new racks last and how to extend their life?

Rear strut service life Octavia Tour depends on three factors:

1. Spare part quality: original or Bilstein/Sachs They run 80-120 thousand km, budget analogues - 40-60 thousand km.
2. Riding style: Aggressive driving in potholes reduces the resource by 30–40%.
3. Operating conditions: Salt on the roads in winter corrodes the boots, and constant overload (for example, towing a trailer) accelerates wear.

To extend the life of the racks:

• 🔹 Regularly wash the arches in winter, salt destroys the anthers.
• 🔹 Avoid sharp blows on the suspension (for example, driving onto a curb at speed).
• 🔹 Check every 20,000 km condition of the bumpers and anthers.
• 🔹 When replacing racks be sure to renew the support bearings (if they are in bad condition).

What happens if you don't change the racks on time?

Worn shock absorbers increase braking distance by 20–30%, worsen road grip (especially on wet asphalt) and increase the risk of aquaplaning. In addition, other suspension elements suffer: silent blocks, wheel bearings and even body elements due to increased vibration.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to replace only one rack if the second one is still normal?

No, this is absolutely not recommended. Even if the second rack looks good, its characteristics have already changed due to wear. Different rigidity of the racks on the left and right will lead to uneven grip on the road and the car pulls to the side when braking. Always change stands a couple.

New racks are knocking after replacement. This is fine?

Yes, in the first 100–500 km, new shock absorbers (especially gas-oil ones) may make extraneous sounds. This is due to grinding in internal seals. If the knocking noise does not disappear after 500 km, check:

• Tighten all fasteners (especially the top nut).
• Condition of support bearings.
• Integrity of anthers and bumpers.

Is it necessary to do a wheel alignment after replacing the struts?

On Octavia Tour replacing rear struts no effect to the wheel alignment angles, so wheel alignment is not required. However, if you notice uneven tire wear up to replacement, it makes sense to check the suspension geometry - perhaps the problem was not only in the struts.

Is it possible to install Octavia liftback struts on the Tour?

No, these are different parts! U Octavia Tour (station wagon) rear pillars have different stiffness and length due to increased load on the rear axle. Article numbers for racks liftback and Tour are not interchangeable, even if they are visually similar.

How to check struts without removing them?

There are 3 reliable ways:

1. "Wiggle": Press firmly on the rear of the machine and release. If the body swings more than once, the struts are worn out.
2. Visual inspection: oil smudges on the body or torn boots are a sure sign of a malfunction.
3. Road test: when passing a speed bump at a speed of 30–40 km/h, serviceable struts should “dampen” the vibrations in one cycle. If the car bounces, it's time to change it.