Having owned my 06 plate since July it's going into my local mechanic in the near future to try and investigate and address a couple of issues. I'd welcome any contributions from the Brisky population on the points below.

1. It was mentioned at it's cam belt change in October that "the bushes were slightly cracked and would need replacing within a year". I understand that this is probably the console bush and that the original Skoda design was about as good as a chocolate teapot. Advice on here has suggested using the Ibiza bush but am I right in saying that the Oct Mk2 is the new recommended part? If so is that what he'll fit or should I supply a specific part number?

2. The infamous clonk. Seems to come from the front end, more often on the NS because it runs over most of the drains. A browse of the forums seems to point to the drop links as a good place to start. This link quotes 'Fabia vRS Modified ARB Drop Link: 6Q0 411 315G'. If the drop link needs replacing is this correct part and was it modified because of the clonk issue?

3. Front end 'squeak'. I suspect the ARB bushes could do with a grease, seems to occur over gentle undulating road especially in the cold.

4. Odd brake pedal travel, uneven rear disk wear and noise under braking. I'm quite a gentle on my brakes, nothing too ridiculous but it's a good fuel saving trick. As the weather has warmed up I've been pushing a fair bit harder and I think the pads might have suffered a bit from all the grit so they'll get a look.

The rear brakes have always been quite loud, making a sort of grinding sound when used. The disks wear is quite uneven compared to the fronts and it has a 2mm lip round the edge so some adjustment is proberbly in order.

Can you guys think of anything to add or anything that might be worth getting looked at in the suspension/brake area?

Could find that all the suspension noises are down to the bushes. I know mine clunked like mad just before they were changed. . .

I agree the suspension noises could all quite easily be down to the bushes, but worth checking the arb as you say.

The rear discs... are they worn 2mm into the disc? If so they're going to need changing, and quite possibly your pads too.

The rear disks are quite unevenly worn, may not be as much as 2mm round the edge but definitely present.

new discs and pads on the rear req and front console bushes

shouldnt cost much more than £300

So if my mech calls his supply and asks for 2 fabia console bushes what do you expect he'll receive?

Console bushes....right then...Skoda are issuing Octavia 4x4 estate console bushes (will give you part no. later) as a standard replacement!! Seat Cupra bushes are even stronger, but you could go for the best!!! Powerflex two piece full replacement made for this.. look on their web site www.powerflex.co.uk !!

Can't justify Powerflex because they are nowhere near OEM. On the Cupra front, stronger and stiffer or just a better build standard?

Cupra's are solid, no voids!! I've got Octavia 4x4 estate, but when I have the time will swap to Powerflex new two piece as all my other bushes are Powerflex, plus they look easier to install!!

Cupra's are solid, no voids!! I've got Octavia 4x4 estate, but when I have the time will swap to Powerflex new two piece as all my other bushes are Powerflex, plus they look easier to install!!

No voids? Smooth as the standard ones? My VRS is standard and I don't want to start messing from the bushes upwards.

Smooth? I presume you mean in terms of ride quality?? No idea, but as "solid" like Powerflex then ride should not suffer, just that the wishbone will maintain proper alinement during braking etc. Which is always the point of upgrading the bushes!!

Ok. I guess I'm going for replacement rather than upgrade, the current ones are damaged and I want to make sure that I'm going to replace them with the correct parts.

Jibyc - go for cupra bushes, they're stronger and last much longer. When I bought a pair of them, I paid around £18 from my local TPS.

Ibiza cupra bushes

link 1

Uprated Fabia vRS bushes

link 2

tbh i'd get the ibiza ones, or the powerflex ones, powerflex can be fitted in 2 mins and is a doddle

The cupra bush:

has a "solid" ring of rubber around the central mounting point; whereas the original Skoda ones were a cross of rubber.

The struts of the cross then cracked and split meaning the inner of the bush wasn't attached to the outer rendering the whole thing pointless and clonky

Cupra ones will make the ride a bit firmer but should last about 3 times as long as the original ones.

With regards to droplinks i don't think you'd need modified ones just new ones. Mine knocked like anything over small bumps and was a single droplink

Good luck

Why would you not get a better part when such little costs are involved?! :-/

Matt

It isn't really a case of cost, its about keeping the car standard. It seems a bit silly to have uprated (powerflex) bushes and everything standard.

My car runs on "standard" springs (ok..but with Koni FSD dampers) and Powerflex bushes, EBC discs & pads etc.etc.(just read the signature strip below this!) "standard" 14 and 15 inch wheels,..and every time a "Standard" item fails it makes good sense to replace with a better quality, more durable, more "fit for purpose" item!! If you have the option it seems silly not to....especially if there is no downside to it!!!!

Tendency to change rear discs every 2/3 years because of outer edge of disc rusting around 2cm, owing to lack of use in it's braking design.(Major braking at the front.)Just bought standard rear discs and pads from E-Bay £28.00 all-in, for my Fabia VRS.

Standard updated console bushes from Skoda parts dept. around £8+vat x 2 if doing both sides.

Removal of long-bolt running through steel wishbone can snap-off in alloy console end.

Good luck.

It isn't really a case of cost, its about keeping the car standard. It seems a bit silly to have uprated (powerflex) bushes and everything standard.

i dont understand?

usually when something breaks i uprate the part (so it doesnt do it again in the future)

if you were to put fabia ones back in they will just do it again? yes it is a revised style but still not as strong as say a cupra bush?

getting a garage to replace console bushes every 20-30k is gonna be pricey!

I think I'll go for a Cupra set. Seems a good compromise, a VAG part and it isn't purple so it'll look fine.