on my last service it was noted that i had slight play in my console bushes, as it was described to me as not currently being serious im not in an immediate rush to get them done for a few weeks

i need some help deciding what to do though, i LOVE the comfort of the OE ride, but something that would maybe improve the handling wouldnt go amiss, how firm are the cupra bushes in comparison ?.......and the powerflex fronts for that matter too

im leaning towards fitting new OE items to be honest, my days of flying around corners are pretty much over, but sometimes i do wish the Fabia handled a little better just for a better general driving experience, windy A/B roads etc

for example, if i was to lower it, i would only ever choose H&R or Eibach springs, as they lower no more than 1" and that would be enough for me, i have a lot of speed bumps near my house, and the girlfriends, though i do already drive more slowly over them at standard ride height than 95% of other drivers on the road

im just wondering what would suit me best, if the cupra/powerflex combo dont make the car crash about they are an option, but i do like my comfort now

You'll hardly notice the difference... people seem to overplay the vibration difference between them, its pretty minimal.

I could hardly tell the difference tbh, until I was on some country roads I drive all the time, turn in is much better and slightly less wobbly. vibration wise I doubt I could tell the difference before/after

I have both the powerflex front wishbone bushes, and the cupra console/rear wishbone bushes

Having had Cupra rear console bushes and powerflex front wishbone bushes fitted recently it would be fair to say that from my experience there is very little difference, vibration wise, against having the OEM fitment. Turn in is better but then again i very rarely go hurtling along country roads at speeds to notice.

Another reason for fitment would be that they should last longer than OEM and should therefor work out cheaper in the long run.

After reading various threads about this i would have to say that fitting the uprated dog mount bush is the one that causes more vibrations through the cabin.

Hope this helps.

I had cupra and powerflex bushes fitted last week and I havent noticed any vibrations with them compared to the standard ones.

The drive of the car feels much more solid now though

I noticed very very slightly more road noise when mine were done. Otherwise, you wouldnt be able to tell...

thanks for all the comments, its looking very positive that they dont affect the comfort of the ride

have cupra and powerflex ones, handling is improved and turn in

have cupra and powerflex ones, handling is improved and turn in

Same here and i haven't really noticed anymore vibration either, Maybe a little more road noise but i put that down to my front tyres needing replaceing very soon;)

If you don't fit cupra bushes, you will be replacing the new OEM skoda items again in about 20,000 miles time (if you still have the car), spending the money you will have saved by not going for the slightly more expensive cupra items.

The cupra items increase vibration through the steering wheel very, very slightly - nothing that you don't get used to within 10 or 15 miles.

Steering response is amazingly improved, tyres wear a lot more evenly afterwards, and oddly the abs/traction doesn't seem to kick in as often - possibly something to do with the wheel not moving forwards & backwards as much.

Every time any VW car with the rear console bushes has a similar problem to the fabia I always suggest the cupra bushes as a replacement - in the 3/4/5 cars that this has been done on the owner has been v.impressed with the steering improvement and hasn't mentioned the increase in vibrations.

In my opinion if you have to replace the bushes anyway you shouldn't even be considering the Skoda items

thanks for all responses, really appreciated

I had cupra bushes along with powerflex fronts done, and as others have said, i can't say i noticed any difference with vibrations. I can't really compare differences performance wise either as the old bushes were fecked and the new ones were um.... new..... So, obviously the car felt better, but i have no idea if it was any better than if i had had new oem ones fitted instead........

One thing i will say is, and i've said it before.... If you do get the cupra bushes, make sure whoever fits them knows what they are doing! As, any savings you may be making by fitting the cupra bushes over the flimsy oem bushes may be negated if they are not fitted properly! This is exactly what happened to me and i ended up having to pay a second time to get them refitted properly at a different garage (unit18) So, make sure they get fitted properly as they don't go in exactly the same as the originals do.........

Steve

I had cupra bushes along with powerflex fronts done, and as others have said, i can't say i noticed any difference with vibrations. I can't really compare differences performance wise either as the old bushes were fecked and the new ones were um.... new..... So, obviously the car felt better, but i have no idea if it was any better than if i had had new oem ones fitted instead........

One thing i will say is, and i've said it before.... If you do get the cupra bushes, make sure whoever fits them knows what they are doing! As, any savings you may be making by fitting the cupra bushes over the flimsy oem bushes may be negated if they are not fitted properly! This is exactly what happened to me and i ended up having to pay a second time to get them refitted properly at a different garage (unit18) So, make sure they get fitted properly as they don't go in exactly the same as the originals do......... Steve

What was done wrong with your bushes? My wife's Polo got one in right way round and one in the wrong way round - I bought a new bush and got the indie to provide the labour as it was their fault and I didn't want to risk them trying to reuse the old bush - but I'd doubt if they would have thought. Just a simple silly mistake that ends up allowing the TCA to foul the flat face of the bush.

With mine. they had put them in slightly twisted and i do not think they had pushed the bush far enough into the console. It didn't drive very nice at all.... all sorts of clunks, clangs and that crunching noises that were not there before. I did go back to the original garage, and they tried to sort it, but things were still not right, so i didn't trust them to get it right a third time and instead took a very long, but very worthwhile trip up to Unit18 and got them to do a proper job! Which was great, but it did mean i ended up paying for the same job to be done twice over..... :(

Having had the powerflex wishbone and antiroll bar bushes, plus the cupra console bushes fitted - would agree that the transformation is fantastic! The car handles so much better! I would strongly advise steering clear of the standard bushes.

Pete

im now looking to get these fitted in the next 2 weeks possibly

can i ask how you can fit these bushes wrong ?........im gonna be getting them done at work (Renault dealers) and any info i can pass on to the mechanics would be appreciated

I helped my father fit his about 2 months back and TBH theres nothing major to go wrong. I'd suggest the garage uses the VW spec oil as we found it a pain to insert the wishbone afterwards.

It quite baffles me as to why 'Skoda' has the rear bush gripping and restricting movement of the wishbone, whereas the front is rolling free, with no restriction up/down on the front bush.???

I could easily understand both ends of wishbone being gripped and restricted, the same as both were rolling free.???

Obviously I am missing a point, would someone please explain to a simpleton.

Thanks. Ian. 28/08/2009 :confused:

right ill get some of that special grease/oil ordered then, but what else needs to be considered ?

I'm looking to get this done too in the next few weeks, and was hoping to find some usefull info about it, so thanks guys for this thread!

Unit 18... expect a call soon