Ok folks, thought I would post a few pics of some items fitted over the past week.

These are

Wishbone bushes

R32 FARB

New Steering gaiters

I could also do a sticky "how to" in more detail if folks wanted.

Around 8 months ago, I fitted powerflex wishbone bushes to the front wishbones. The rear bushes are already shot. Having heard of a number of folks having issues with them, I went for Audi TT solid bushes. These appear to be the favorite. I know powerflex have redesigned theirs since but i still did not feel confidenet with them.

Here is a few pics of the damaged powerflex bushes. This caused them to try and pull through the wishbone and are left at a angle in the wishbone.

Here is some pics of the new TT bushes fitted(boy they were tight to press using a vice). Also gave the wishbones a clean and paint up. You can also see the old front powerflex bushes still in good condition so i left them in.

Next to do was the ARB

Pic of the standard ARB

Side view of ARB and the Superpro bushes. Can also see the damaged steering rack gaiter(MOT station never picked this up?)

Can also see that the front of the subframe has been lowered to allow removal of the ARB. The front subframe bolts removed(rear bolts loosened to allow lowering and retaining position of Subframe plus steering rack bolts removed.

This pic shows the Dogbone mount gearbox bolts removed to also allow subframe to be lowered.

All the bolts/ARB bushes/brackets I purchased to replace the ones being removed

This is the R32 ARB painted(sad I know) it matches the RARB I also painted in Skoda green. Ready to be installed.

ARB now installed with new powerflex bushes/brackets and bolts. Needed to screw in longer bolts to compress the bushes / bracket in place then remove and fit correct bolts, otherwise it is difficult to fit the shorter bolts.

.

New subframe bolts fitted

New steering rack bolts and front subframe bolts and steering gaiters replaced

Wishbones fitted and new balljoint bolts / bracket used.

Top view of wishbone and ARB.

Wheel arches cleaned and wax oiled.

Brake calipers cleaned and repainted

overall no problems, Took more time cleaning up parts and painting than doing the mechanics.

I have since also painted the bottom of the subframe as the car is up in the air still waiting Blueflame downpipe/cat replacement .

Next mods may be R32/TT rack as i feel more confident to do this job since the subframe has been down.

Rgds

Edited 6 June, 200917 yr by Bowders1

Excellant work with some great pictures Will have to give us some feedback on the arb please as it's something I am considering.

Nice m8, you certainly like copper grease lol

Shame on the MOT test station for missing the rack boot....Toying with the idea of new bushes in front arms, please give us a shout when you have put some miles on it ref how it feels

Phil

Very nice Mark, you certainly look after your car. Let us know if the R32 ARB makes much difference.

Nice m8, you certainly like copper grease lol

Too right great stuff.

The new bushes come with a sachet of it, and I had to remove the track rod ends previously and were so easy after I copper greased them. Also with pending R32 rack, will probably need to come off again.Plus the Coilovers suffer big time with seizing spring platforms.

Funny the MOT station said the shocks were leaking as there was grease all over them:bonk:

Shame on the MOT test station for missing the rack boot....Toying with the idea of new bushes in front arms, please give us a shout when you have put some miles on it ref how it feels

Will do. I have my nearly new Super Pro bushes for the standard bar if anyone interested.

Excellant work with some great pictures Will have to give us some feedback on the arb please as it's something I am considering.

Feedback time.

As I fitted my new Blueflame downpipe/cat, due to previous one failing MOT I was able to get the car off the axles stands and back down on rubbers. (Will do a DIY thread on Cat fitting later).

This gave me chance to check out the R32 ARB. I gave the car a nice run and all I can say is OMG, what a difference. :DThe turn in is better the front feels slightly heavier for some reason, which is not a bad thing. I have no rattles/clunking that the old ARB had(possibly due to the fact the plastic bush end stops were loose and moved about).

The way the car turns in is so much more positive. I also bring this down to the AUDI TT wishbone bushes which seem to stop the car following dips in the road like the old powerflex ones used to follow like tram lines. I gave it some round a roundabout and actually had the rear wheels squealing for grip(like a rear drive car)I think any more speed would have possibly made the car rear end come around, which I love as I am RWD fan. I then realised that i was doing at least 10MPH more than I used to do(seriously). I don't think I can get this car to feel any better as it gives me so much more confidence. Maybe a Neuspeed 25mm or 28mm RARB could be an option but think it may bring the rear end round more than the whiteline 22mm RARB I have.

What I will say is don't do this mod without a RARB as I could imagine it would force more rear end roll that would be negative to the overall turn in and handling

So in all mega impressed.

This has to be even better than my old scooby handling, totally transformed. love it...

Can you tell I like it.

Sounds very good

So can I use the original bush clips with new bushes if I do this or do I need differant ones?

Sounds very good

So can I use the original bush clips with new bushes if I do this or do I need differant ones?

Yep original bush clips are ok(same ones). I bought new ones at around 5quid each as i bought new bolts for the subframe at the same time(which you will need as they are stretch bolts)

I have all the P/N's if you need them.

I also bought new bush bracket bolts/steering rack bolts.although not really needed as these are not stretch bolts but would advise using stud lock if reusing them.

cheers

Mark

Edited 11 June, 200917 yr by Bowders1

Yep original bush clips are ok(same ones). I bought new ones at around 5quid each as i bought new bolts for the sudframe at the same time(which you will need as they are stretch bolts)

I have all the P/N's if you need them.

I also bought new bush bracket bolts/steering rack bolts.although not really needed as these are not stretch bolts but would advise using stud lock if reusing them.

cheers

Mark

Cheers Mark, If I could have the part numbers for the following then please.

R32 arb

bush bracket + bolt

subframe bolts

Will order some superpro arb bushes for it.

Yeah, I need those part numbers too.

Thank you.

Just read this post, a superb standard of work with some very very good pictures:thumbup:.

I am considering new bushing for the wishbones so I found this especially usefull seeing how the Powerflex rear bush has distorted and it was also interesting to see the front Powerflex bush set up.

I like your trolly jacks, what make are they and approx cost??

Peter

any chance i can have those part numbers too Mark,

cheers!

Just read this post, a superb standard of work with some very very good pictures:thumbup:.

I am considering new bushing for the wishbones so I found this especially usefull seeing how the Powerflex rear bush has distorted and it was also interesting to see the front Powerflex bush set up.

I like your trolly jacks, what make are they and approx cost??

Peter

Cheers for the comments.

The trolley jack are racing type ones as these are the only ones that get under my car without hitting the sills. It is quite low.

This is one of them

NEW 1.25 TONNE ALUMINIUM LOW ENTRY RACING TROLLEY JACK on eBay, also, Other Garage Equipment Tools, Garage Equipment Tools, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 01-Jul-09 21:53:40 BST)

The other one is a 2 ton one but can't remember where i got that.

Cheers Mark, If I could have the part numbers for the following then please.

R32 arb

bush bracket + bolt

subframe bolts

Will order some superpro arb bushes for it.

Here are the part numbers:

1J0411305E - R32 FARB

1J0411336D - FARB Bush Mounting bracket x 2

N10101603 - FARB Bush Mounting bracket bolt x 2

N90752801 - Subframe Rear Bolt x 2

N90734902 - Subframe Front Bolt x 2(replaces old P/N N90734901)

Also you will need to take out the dogbone mount Bolts to allow Subframe to lower enough(forgot these) These are npot stretch bolt but recommend using thread lock if not replacing them.

N90597005 - Dogbone mount to gearbox x 1(replaces old p/n N90597002)

N10246610 - Dogbone mount to gearbox x 1(replaces old p/n N10246604)

Lastly again although these are not stretch bolts like the dogbone ones you may consider replacing as they are 93 pence each.

N10015507 - steering rack bolts x 4(replaces old p/n N10015506)

hope this helps

Mark.