Octavia rear springs

js3142

Hi all,

I'd be grateful for advice on the following no doubt simple questions.

I have a 2005 Octavia with one broken rear suspension spring. My questions are:

1) Should I replace both springs, or is it reasonable to just replace the broken one? I plan to keep running the car for a few years yet if this makes a difference.

2) Will the wheel alignment need checking/adjusting after the repair?

Thanks.

marty2be2000

Replace both, as the other spring although ok will have altered properties over 10 years. If you leave the old one in situ then the car may sit lower one side than the other, and have odd characteristics from the rear handling.

Alignment should be ok to leave as is since none of the parts associated with the rear alignment are removed to fit the springs.

Broadwood

If you live within easy distance of Stoke-on-Trent and are looking for an independent to do the job I can recommend my son's place.

Just do a search for "BVR Automotive".

arcon5

Broadwood wrote: »

If you live within easy distance of Stoke-on-Trent and are looking for an independent to do the job I can recommend my son's place.

Just do a search for "BVR Automotive".

Ye you can, shame we don't know if he's reputable or reasonably priced though from your far from independent recommendation (pun intended).


I'd just replace the broken one op.

js3142

arcon5 wrote: »

I'd just replace the broken one op.

Thanks for your reply. Any chance you could expand on why you would do this? You presumably don't see the same downside as the poster above?

colino

The car is ten years old and may have had multiple changes of springs, or none at all, but the original pair weren't a particular similar pair anyway. Change one as there is no labour saving in getting the pair done and if you haven't noticed a different ride height, the other side might last another 10 days or 10 years.

Broadwood

arcon5 wrote: »

Ye you can, shame we don't know if he's reputable or reasonably priced though from your far from independent recommendation (pun intended).

One could do one's own research by reading reviews and forums from the results of said search.

arcon5

Broadwood wrote: »

One could do one's own research by reading reviews and forums from the results of said search.

Aye but now i'm dubious about whether reviews have been plugged or not.

arcon5

js3142 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. Any chance you could expand on why you would do this? You presumably don't see the same downside as the poster above?

Because there's no economies of scale for two springs. Like for example when changing a flywheel you do the clutch at the same time as it has to come off anyway so adds very little extra in terms of labour.
Springs are separate sides, nearly all the work on one side is duplicated to the other, very little saving in labour.

So since it's not mandatory to replace in pairs and the results of changing just one are pretty much negligible, combined with the fact its a 10 year old car so I doubt you know its spring history anyway, I see it as a pointless and unnecessary expense.

Broadwood

arcon5 wrote: »

Aye but now i'm dubious about whether reviews have been plugged or not.

But doesn't that apply to any reviews you read anywhere? They could all be bogus.
Even advertising paints a rosy picture.

"Everything half-price. Sale ends tomorrow!"

Half what price? The RSP that nobody ever charges. Buyer beware!

That's why we should do our homework then shop around.

js3142

Thanks for the helpful replies. Think I'll just get one replaced and save myself some cash then :cool:.