I've noticed over the past couple of weeks a front suspension knock has developed on my '52' plate vrs, the cars on 54k. I've yet to investigate but wondered if there is there anything specific I should check out? many thanks.

Mines just started doing the same thing as well, it's going in for a service on Monday so will see what they find.

I'll be interested to see how you get on, my hunch is anti-roll bar bushes. keep me posted and good luck! cheers

I just had my ARB and bushes replaced, I knew from the last service report that they were both corroded but it went last week culminating in a loud knocking from the front drivers side going over rough roads.

A new ARB and bushes cost me £123 inc vat and fitting. The new ARB that was fitted was a slightly modified design according to my mechanic and it seems to have tightened up the handling a tad anyway.

Thats all I need on top of a £300 service and brake fluid change :(

Oh well if it needs to be done it needs to be done.

Got it's MOT due at the end of the month as well

I phoned my local main dealer today, he advised it's unlikely to be anti-roll bar droplinks as he couldn't remember the last time they changed any! But suggested it's almost definately anti-roll bar bushes which are £4.80 each including VAT. He also recomended new bush mounting brackets as the new bushes may be revised versions, £6.40 each including VAT. At those prices its got to be worth a punt!

I phoned my local main dealer today, he advised it's unlikely to be anti-roll bar droplinks as he couldn't remember the last time they changed any! But suggested it's almost definately anti-roll bar bushes which are £4.80 each including VAT. He also recomended new bush mounting brackets as the new bushes may be revised versions, £6.40 each including VAT. At those prices its got to be worth a punt!

don't forget labour unless your fitting to your own Labia

gonna be a DIY job, not a fan of handing over my hard earned wedge! lol:D

Update: jacked mine up yesterday and suspension all appears to be ok.

On the other hand, the radiator is hanging on by just the top mounts and rocking back and forth about 2 inches!

I've asked them to have a look at it today

That's one job that's almost worth paying someone else to do. The radiator bushes are a pig to get at. It took me a good couple of hours the other week. On the other hand its one of those £10 of spares jobs that you feel you ought to be able to do yourself.

You need to take the bumper and lights off although that isn't as scary as it sounds. There's a good guide on the Octy 1 section so that you don't miss one of the many bolts and screws.

I got the car back and apparently the ARB is f:eek:ked, looked fine to me although I only looked at the ends where it meets the droplinks, the bushes seemed alright, no splits as far as I could see. They confirmed the radiator was also loose and tightened it up for me. The ARB is going to be £190 fitted from the Dealer so I'm going to do a bit of shopping around...

Chicken eyebrow - Awesome gti store sells the Neuspeed 28mm ARB for about £150! well worth it me thinks!!!

I got the car back and apparently the ARB is f:eek:ked, looked fine to me although I only looked at the ends where it meets the droplinks, the bushes seemed alright, no splits as far as I could see. They confirmed the radiator was also loose and tightened it up for me. The ARB is going to be £190 fitted from the Dealer so I'm going to do a bit of shopping around...

Has the car ever had the ARB mounting bushes replaced? When the OEM ones go, they rub the coating off the bar, leading to corrosion where you least want it.