Suspension refresh-where to buy bits? and any hints or tips?

[320touring]

Hi,

 

the Octy has 187k on the shocks and springs, plus an mot due in December, so I'm thinking of doing

 

Front Arms

Front Arb bushes

Front droplinks

Front dampers

Front springs

Front topmounts

 

Rear dampers

Rear springs

Rear topmounts

 

At the moment I'm planning on replacing the dampers with Bilstein b4s as I'd like the car to still be very comfortable.

 

these would be coupled to Eibach springs giving a 30mm drop.

 

my questions are:

 

1. where is the cheapest place to buy the springs/dampers from?

 

2. where is best to get the rest of the suspension parts from?

 

3. Can the front arb be upgraded?

 

4. does my car have a rear arb?if not can one be fitted?

 

 

lastly, are there any hints or tips folk can give me regarding the job?

 

thanks

[Junkman]

That stuff is the second-most unimportant after tyres.

Then come brakes. Let's discuss brakes.

[320touring]

That stuff is the second-most unimportant after tyres.

Then come brakes. Let's discuss brakes.

just had discs pads and a bleed so all in order there.

 

observations pertaining to the questions asked would be most welcome.

[skattrd]

I got my b4's from ebay as they were cheapest, the rest of the stuff I got from ECP or GSF as and when they needed doing.

Eibach springs - no idea, they're too posh/expensive for me. That said they look to be around £100 for the set from ebay, so not too bad.

 

ARBs can be upgraded, Eibach make them, but they cost more than you paid for the car. There might be a slightly cheaper option using ARBs from an Audi S3. I'm unsure if they fitted bigger ARBs to any other models, it's prob worth checking ukmk4s.

Eibach ARBs ... cheapest I've seen: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Octavia-1U-1-4-2-0-1-4-16V-1-9SDI-1-9TDI-09-96-12-10-Eibach-ARB-Kit-/380697817516?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item58a35bb1ac

 

After you have done all of that work the car will still not handle brilliantly, it'll be better, but not great.

 

edit: Seeing those Eibach Pro 30mm kits for £100 seems like a bit of a bargain, C&R do them as well, but they're nearer £200. I might have to go for those sets of springs when money is less tight.

[320touring]

cheers Chris, plenty to go on there!

 

its just finished its 2nd rwyb day with nae issues:)

[Lacquer Peel]

Is it worth it? Keeper?

[320touring]

Is it worth it? Keeper?

likely £300 tops and its saved almost that in fuel already with its vegetarian ways..

[skattrd]

Is it worth it? Keeper?

 

My thoughts exactly, and mk4 Golf platform will never handle that well, the best you will get after spending loads is adequate.

[Lacquer Peel]

It'll still handle worse than a shagged 306, I can see the appeal of refreshing tired components though, especially as they're quite easy cars to work on.

[sierraman]

Lemforder seem to turn out some decent stuff. Id just avoid all the fake crap you get on ebay

[320touring]

way i see it, I bought it for 200

 

brake overhaul was 26

 

service was 33

 

tuning cable was 14

 

so 273 has got me a veg munching 60mpg derv with circa 130bhp/225ftlb torque.

 

Even if I spend 400 on it, its cheaper than a pd later octavia that wont run veg and I'll know its sound with all the new bits.

 

hopefully with an mot on top it'd work out about 3 months repayments on something but give 12 months service.

 

cheap tax too!

[bigfella2]

Maybe using new standard VRS shocks and springs may give you what you want at a cheaper price. If you going to upgrade the arb, forget the front one, upgrade the rear one. Maybe some of the faster vag cars may donate one, or if you want to spend the white line rear arb is highly commended.

[320touring]

Maybe using new standard VRS shocks and springs may give you what you want at a cheaper price. If you going to upgrade the arb, forget the front one, upgrade the rear one. Maybe some of the faster vag cars may donate one, or if you want to spend the white line rear arb is highly commended.

Fair comment re the vrs, but as i understand it their front end setup is different? I dont mind spending decent money for good springs and shocks, but I will research options. agreed re the rear arb!