17 or 19 then.

Well, the standard fit are 19mm on normal bushes even with the sleeves. There are two schools of thought on this. The smaller diameter ones do have to squash down a bit though.

I've got 19mm and I'm not convinced they're 100% creak free, since I do get the occasional one (although nothing in this weather) and EVERYTHING else has been done. Except springs.

I'll be over the moon with an occasional creak! The garage has just called to say they will take a look and hopefully hammer the sleeves off tomorrow! Top service

Cant hear anything with 17mm bushes

Just another quick question. Before I have these sleeves smashed off, would they creak even when getting in and out of the car, as that's what mine do. As well as when driving, cornering or sneezing lightly

Ta!

Yup. Mine were the culprit when they were particularly bad. And my car had only done about 55,000 at the time.

Cheers matey,

I'm just about to brave the snow and head to the garage for the sleeves hammering off!

Update for those that maybe searching for creaking noises or ARB bushes.

I took mine back to the garage last week and asked them to hammer the plastic collars off. After a bit of "well it probably won't fix it" and some "the bushes might not tighten up fully" they set about it.

After a quick test drive, the guy came back and with a bit of surprise in his voice, told me the creaking had stopped! It's been over a week now and the car is blissfully quiet. So over all I am really happy with full SuperPro bush kit, front and rear, and all new standard suspension.

It's still a little on the soft damped side, but it's a daily driver and I'm nearer 50 than I am 20 years old, so I can live with that. The increase in grip levels is noticeable though, with the car turning in much more precisely. And the steering has come alive, with every detail of the road surface relayed back through the stiffer bushes to your palms and arse!

Now for a Stage 1 remap in a couple of months and I'll be very happy bunny.

Nathan

Nice one.

I have got a 2000 SLX I estate with a TDi engine. Do I need the 17mm bushes with the sleeves hacked off ?

Update for those that maybe searching for creaking noises or ARB bushes.

I took mine back to the garage last week and asked them to hammer the plastic collars off. After a bit of "well it probably won't fix it" and some "the bushes might not tighten up fully" they set about it.

After a quick test drive, the guy came back and with a bit of surprise in his voice, told me the creaking had stopped! It's been over a week now and the car is blissfully quiet. So over all I am really happy with full SuperPro bush kit, front and rear, and all new standard suspension.

It's still a little on the soft damped side, but it's a daily driver and I'm nearer 50 than I am 20 years old, so I can live with that. The increase in grip levels is noticeable though, with the car turning in much more precisely. And the steering has come alive, with every detail of the road surface relayed back through the stiffer bushes to your palms and arse!

Now for a Stage 1 remap in a couple of months and I'll be very happy bunny.

Nathan

Good job... glad to know you fixed your creaking

the plastic sleeve on the arb is only on VRS?I don't have it on mine

Edited 3 February, 201313 yr by IulianE

I have got a 2000 SLX I estate with a TDi engine. Do I need the 17mm bushes with the sleeves hacked off ?

Different bar altogether. I suspect you won't have sleeves.

Hopefully this will clear a few things up

As removed from a stock 2001 octavia vrs

19mm arb (no sleeve)

And the original bushes

17.5mm ID (so originally a 17mm bush)

So for a 19mm unsleeved arb the 17mm bushes are the correct ones for the car to give a tight fit

The 19mm bushes are for the sleeved arb! But sleeved arbs are nothing but hassle so smash them off and fit some 17mm super pro bushes!

These

Yep that's correct. I went through the same exercise 4yrs back and measured the bar and both standard bush revisions.

17mm done about 2-3 years ago and no further noises