Correct Shock Absorber type(s) for my car

[Cryptic_Signal]

Hi all, I have a 2015 Seat Leon FR and I'm thinking about getting the shock absorbers replaced as I had the MOT done recently and I've been told they've been leaking. I'm clueless when it comes to the type of shock absorbers I need but I'd rather buy them myself so that I would only be charged for labour. I will share details of my car (most of these details are from the log book):

VIN: VSSZZZ5FZFR142790
Model: Leon FR Technology TSI
Body: 3-door hatchback
Engine: 1.4L. It has ACT and 150HP
Wheelplan: 2-axle-rigid body

Questions:
1. Regarding the front and rear shocks, I don't know if I need ones with Electronic Suspension Control. I don't know if the car has DCC. My car has a normal driving mode, Sport, Eco and Individual.

2. Which type(s) are compatible from the following categories:

Axle Type:
- Rigid Axle
- Multilink Axle

Design Type:
- Suspension Strut
- Absorber does not carry a spring
- Damper without Rebound Spring
- Telescopic Shock Absorber

Mounting Type:
- Top Pin
- Bottom eye,Top pin

3. Regarding brands, I've been told that Sachs, Monroe and Bilstein are good. Should I prefer one of these brands in particular? Apparently the current ones are Monroe.

There's also twin-tube vs single tube but I believe I can get either.

 

[serdar_18fr]

Hi all, I have a 2015 Seat Leon FR and I'm thinking about getting the shock absorbers replaced as I had the MOT done recently and I've been told they've been leaking. I'm clueless when it comes to the type of shock absorbers I need but I'd rather buy them myself so that I would only be charged for labour. I will share details of my car (most of these details are from the log book):

VIN: VSSZZZ5FZFR142790
Model: Leon FR Technology TSI
Body: 3-door hatchback
Engine: 1.4L. It has ACT and 150HP
Wheelplan: 2-axle-rigid body

Questions:
1. Regarding the front and rear shocks, I don't know if I need ones with Electronic Suspension Control. I don't know if the car has DCC. My car has a normal driving mode, Sport, Eco and Individual.

2. Which type(s) are compatible from the following categories:

Hi,

Your car doesn't have DCC, so no electronically controlled shocks.
It has rigid axle at the rear.
Front shocks part number : 5Q0 413 023 HT or 5Q0 413 023 HT FN (PR code: G02)
Rear shocks part number : 5Q0 513 049 DC (PR code: 1JC)

When looking for aftermarket shocks, check against this part numbers & PR codes for compatibility.

Hope this helps,
Serdar

 

[SuperV8]

You have a rigid rear axle.
I believe Monroe were only OE for the DCC/adjustable dampers. The regular dampers were supplied by Sachs - Doesn't mean the Sachs aftermarket is the same as the OE!

Your damper OEM part numbers for your VIN are:
5Q0 513 049 DC Gas shock absorber rear PR:1JC

There are two options for your front - I suspect it is the FN, as none of the aftermarket suppliers recognise the HT option.
5Q0 413 023 HT Gas shock absorber 49,6MM
5Q0 413 023 FN Gas shock absorber D>> - 21.05.2015 49,6MM

Before buying any - make sure the garage you want to use would fit parts you supply - as many won't.

 

[SuperV8]

Hi,

Your car doesn't have DCC, so no electronically controlled shocks.
It has rigid axle at the rear.
Front shocks part number : 5Q0 413 023 HT or 5Q0 413 023 HT FN (PR code: G02)
Rear shocks part number : 5Q0 513 049 DC (PR code: 1JC)

When looking for aftermarket shocks, check against this part numbers & PR codes for compatibility.

Hope this helps,
Serdar

snap

 

[serdar_18fr]

snap

You missed by just 1 minute, maybe less

 

[Cryptic_Signal]

@serdar_18fr and @SuperV8 Thank you what do you use to get the part numbers from the VIN?

 

[serdar_18fr]

@serdar_18fr and @SuperV8 Thank you what do you use to get the part numbers from the VIN?

Anytime

I use partslink24.com as a paying subscriber.

 

[Cryptic_Signal]

Anytime

I use partslink24.com as a paying subscriber.

Just googled one of the part numbers (5Q0 513 049 DC) and it seems like this part number isn't linked to a particular manufacturer. I would've thought that a part number is for a particular part from a particular manufacturer, similar to how if you have a TV model number or a washing machine model number, it's a particular model from a particular manufacturer.

I'm assuming the quality varies depending on the manufacturer of the part number? So it doesn't seem as simple as just buying a part with the same part number.

 

[serdar_18fr]

Just googled one of the part numbers (5Q0 513 049 DC) and it seems like this part number isn't linked to a particular manufacturer. I would've thought that a part number is for a particular part from a particular manufacturer, similar to how if you have a TV model number or a washing machine model number, it's a particular model from a particular manufacturer.

I'm assuming the quality varies depending on the manufacturer of the part number? So it doesn't seem as simple as just buying a part with the same part number. Should I only look for those made by Sachs? What websites are good for OEM parts? Is it worth paying more for OEM when it comes to shock absorbers?

Check again with removing the spaces from the part number.
For example autodoc.co.uk returns different search results with spaces and without spaces.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-search?keyword=5Q0513049DC

Looks like there are some compatible aftermarket units.

 

[Cryptic_Signal]

Check again with removing the spaces from the part number.
For example autodoc.co.uk returns different search results with spaces and without spaces.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-search?keyword=5Q0513049DC

Looks like there are some compatible aftermarket units.

Okay so here's the situation. For the rears, the only ones with PR: 1JC are made by Sachs: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/7882564

For the fronts, the only ones with PR: G02 are made by Bilstein: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/shock-absorber-10221/seat/leon/leon-5f1/106386-1-4-tsi?supplier[]=16&supplier[]=32&supplier[]=37&criteria[100][]=VA

I'm assuming it's best not to mix and match brands as they will have different stiffness etc, but it seems like this is unavoidable as 1JC is made by Sachs and G02 is made by Bilstein...

 

[serdar_18fr]

Okay so here's the situation. For the rears, the only ones with PR: 1JC are made by Sachs: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/7882564

For the fronts, the only one with PR: G02 are made by Bilstein: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/shock-absorber-10221/seat/leon/leon-5f1/106386-1-4-tsi?supplier[]=16&supplier[]=32&supplier[]=37&criteria[100][]=VA

I'm assuming it's best not to mix and match brands as they will have different stiffness etc, but it seems like this is unavoidable as 1JC is made by Sachs and G02 is made by Bilstein...

We as end users might be overstating the importance of the PR codes but then again maybe we're right.
A lot of car-tech guys in private garages believe it's not that important and use what they could get.
If having different brands at front & rear would bother you too much, then going OEM would give you the best comforting feel
Can't give a definite advice on that, sorry.

 

[Cryptic_Signal]

We as end users might be overstating the importance of the PR codes but then again maybe we're right.
A lot of car-tech guys in private garages believe it's not that important and use what they could get.
If having different brands at front & rear would bother you too much, then going OEM would give you the best comforting feel
Can't give a definite advice on that, sorry.

The only OEM ones are those that match the PR code, correct?

 

[serdar_18fr]

The only OEM ones are those that match the PR code, correct?

OEM part orders are given by original part numbers, be it a dealer or a private parts supplier, no need to check for PR codes.

 

[SuperV8]

There are something like 30+ different OE damper part numbers (which very depending on your car spec) vs 1 or 2 for the aftermarket.

You will never get an exact performance match from aftermarket vs OE - even from the big name brands.

In the real world you probably won't notice unless you are doing back to back testing and a professional driver.

I had this same 'doubt' when changing my dampers - went with Bilstein and they have been fine. I'm sure any of the brands you mentioned will be fine.
I prefer to use the brands own part catalogue - search for the OE numbers provided previously to find their part number they are saying is equivalent.

 

[Cryptic_Signal]

I have attached the pictures that the garage sent when my car was there for an MOT + Full Service on Tuesday. Looking at the pictures, would y'all say that the shocks should be replaced? He said that they've been leaking as there's dried oil. If I decide to get them replaced I would replace all 4.

MOT advisories:

• Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
• Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil Both Sides (5.3.2 (b))

He said it's more than the "light misting of oil" advisory but he put it down as that as he didn't want to fail me (the MOT).

Looking at the MOT history, I can see similar things in past MOTs. I've been the owner of this car since December 2023, after the 2023 MOT (April 2023).

2023:

• Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
• Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
• Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

2022:

• Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
• Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil both sides (5.3.2 (b))

2021:

• Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))
• Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

 

[RUM4MO]

Seems like it is normally the front near side dampers that start misting/leaking first on this platform from all VW Group marques - well in RHD markets.

I've tried to prepare my older daughter for facing up to this and if she wants/needs a quick successful MOT test, then, in my mind/world, her front DCC dampers should get replaced now - and for good measure/a wise move, get the rear discs and pads replaced - some if not all will get done by me.

So, she went and had a "pre MOT chat" with the owner of the workshop that she is booking that car into, he said normally he finds that he has to convince customers that some work needs doing - but, after having a quick look around her 2019 Leon Cupra, he has considered that his job, in this case, is to try to convince her that these two jobs just don't need doing right now - but he does understand her father's (me) concern.

Oh well, we'll see how that goes I suppose.

Using Autodoc as a source of suitable compatible parts can be useful, as look as you don't run out of concentration and miss the important "PR Code" or part number cross reference. I set my heart/mind on buying Lesjofors road springs for my wife's 2015 VW Polo 1.2TSI 110 SEL 5Door, ordered the correct front springs, but accidentally ordered up the rear springs for the 3Door and GT, that was mainly due to Lesjofors not supplying an equivalent for that car's rear springs - the rear springs are okay, just 10>15mm lower than the originals so the car sits almost level instead of being "up" at the rear. Sachs dampers/struts for that car, from Autodoc were not priced very well against UK based ECP or Halford supplied by ECP, getting the correct front damper was easy from ECP, getting the rear dampers that matched that car's rear damper PR code was not - though ECP warehouse traced the correct part listed against another VW Group same platform car, so that good.

The advice concerning "check your garage will fit supplied parts" seems to have become a lot more important than it was, I've now discovered that, although in my case, my garage had said "no" to my supplied part - but had to back pedal on that as their supplier, or they, ended up with the wrong part being supplied - so I was lucky!

Edit:- one thing that I always do is, if the new aftermarket strut or damper has some ancillary parts not included, then I either buy new parts and fit them to the strut or damper, or where I can't, I remove them from the original strut or damper - this can include the C-ring at the top of the piston, strut or damper plastic top cover/stop and the cage for securing the protective cover - I'm not sure that some garages would bother about these issues.

 

[SuperV8]

My rear dampers were completely shot on my 2015 ST at something like 90k miles - I had had several years of 'misting' advisories on the MOT.
Also changed my fronts soon after.
Our dampers are also gas pressurised - which helps with ride quality - so if they are misting oil they have probably also lost their gas.

 

[RUM4MO]

I agree wrt to loss of gas, I replaced all 4 dampers on my wife's August 2015 VW Polo 1.2TSI 110PS, there was no signs of oil misting but the gas seemed to have - at least partially gone from all 4 when compared with the action of the new ones.

Edit:- changed "less" to "least" as that word fits a lot better!

 

[Cryptic_Signal]

My rear dampers were completely shot on my 2015 ST at something like 90k miles - I had had several years of 'misting' advisories on the MOT.
Also changed my fronts soon after.
Our dampers are also gas pressurised - which helps with ride quality - so if they are misting oil they have probably also lost their gas.

Hmm. Might get the shocks replaced then as there's been multiple years of listing advisories and the mileage is similar (over 88k).

 

[Cryptic_Signal]

Here's what I've ordered:

Front Shocks:
SACHS 350389 - £128.98 (Autovaux)

Rear Shocks:
SACHS 315912 - £93.38 (Autovaux)

Front Bump Stops:
febi bilstein 23458 - £12.94 (Autodoc)

Rear Bump Stops:
febi bilstein 40698 - £27.54 (Autodoc)

Front Top Mounts and Bearings:
SACHS 803024 Repair kit - £56.78 (Autodoc)

Rear Top Mounts:
SACHS 803009 - £41.26 (Autodoc)

Drop Links:
MEYLE 116 060 0063/HD - £31.98 (eBay - bmwmotormec)