Very quick question for those who have cured the creaking. Can the bushes be changed with the bar in situ? I have limited tools, time and funds, so would like to do this myself on the drive if possible. I've pinched Bodge's photo as I'm at work and can't access photo bucket, plus I noticed the bolt on the bracket looks new. Is this necessary or can I reuse the old one?

I noticed these on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130493320309&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

and in another thread someone used these,

http://www.priracing.com/product.php/1586/304/vag---front---anti-roll-bar-to-chassis-bushes/22f4225ef77ea7af2c99fc8b29d087ec

Would either do as the nearest dealers is a 40 mile round trip. I have access to a VW garage a bit nearer, so are the part numbers the same for the 17mm hole version?

Thanks in advance

Andrew.

I did it with the bar insitu on our Fabia 1.9TDi (year 2000)jack the front end up and support it on stands and remove the bolts on the brackets,with one of the bolts I lifted the wheel hub slightly so it moved the driveshaft to gain access,on mine the shaft size was 18mm and I used the powerflex bushes with copperslip grease. cheers - Stuart

I even used the same bolts !

Edited 24 May, 201115 yr by sparky2

That looks easier than the furby to change.....so just one bolt per side by looks of it...and yes insitu very easy to do...get a new bolt if yours are FUBAR....no special tools....well a torque wrench to do them up with and some copper grease!

yup can be done in place so long as both sides are off the floor, its tight in there tho, I need to do mine,, think Ill get the superPRO bushes tho as the std rubber ones are crap.

I reused the same bolts ne probs, its the stretch bolts and nyloc nuts that should be replaced each time, dont think these are stretch bolts.

billy

The only problem you are likely to encounter is starting the (old - no need to change) bolt in the thread. I found it easiest to get a random metric bolt from the "spares" tin, a bit longer than the original, to pull it all together, using a few washers, then remove and re-insert the original.

It is theoretically possible to squeeze the rubber into the clip using Mole grips or water pump pliers, but I could never manage it as the space is too tight.

The std rubber ones should be OK & get new brackets as the bush is a different shape with a raised section in the middle.

Thanks for the replies folks. It sounds like a simple (ish) DIY job. I'll order the parts and see how it goes.

Just replaced mine at the weekend. Literally, the longest part of the job is jacking the car up! I used Ian_D's guide here:

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/177880-octavia-mk1-front-arb-bushes-how-to-change/

Just replaced mine at the weekend. Literally, the longest part of the job is jacking the car up! I used Ian_D's guide here:

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/177880-octavia-mk1-front-arb-bushes-how-to-change/

Thanks for the link. I'm all for a step by step guide on these things, plus knowing what you may or may not need to help along the way. Like many of these things, once you've done it things make sense. Without a guide, taking your car to bits can be a bit daunting.

Cheers.

I had mine done by my tried and trusted mechanic. I would not attempt it without a ramp. I bought the bushes from Jorily for less than £10.00 (make sure yours come with the bush and clamp). It took about 30 mines to have them fitted and it cost me £20.00. Creaking is gone. Nearly forgot my mechanic had to fit longer bolts to accommodate the new clamp

were the bushes+clamps slightly bigger?

Thought the creaking was the plastic sleeve on the bar, not the bush itself?

Thought the creaking was the plastic sleeve on the bar, not the bush itself?

Thought the creaking was the plastic sleeve on the bar, not the bush itself?

Read that too thought you needed smaller arb bushes and just take the plastic sleeve off?

the original bushes were 20mm to accomodate the plastic sleeve, new ones are 17mm and get rid of the sleeves

I got 19mm superPRO bushes from PRI and they were tight and fit spot on.

I cant see a 17mm bush fitting right? also when/ if it dries out youll get the squeek back faster plus coz its smaller it will squeez out the grease?

It doesnt need to be tight fit round the bar just snug as the collar on the bar is what stops it moving.

billy

I got 19mm superPRO bushes from PRI and they were tight and fit spot on.

I cant see a 17mm bush fitting right? also when/ if it dries out youll get the squeek back faster plus coz its smaller it will squeez out the grease?

It doesnt need to be tight fit round the bar just snug as the collar on the bar is what stops it moving.

billy

Some Octavia's have different size bars. If it has a plastic sleeve it needs a bush with a 17mm hole.

Some Octavia's have different size bars. If it has a plastic sleeve it needs a bush with a 17mm hole.

is that coz there is a recess on the bar?

I changed mine it had the plastic sleeve i used 17mm bushes from TPS

but as billy says the bar diameter is 19mm after the plastic sleeve is removed and with the paint on,

where the plastic bush was fitted it wears through the paint it is then slightly smaller in diameter, a 19mm bush will still probably be the best fit ,

when people use the 17mm bush it is splayed opened up by the bar this is why some people struggle to get the bolt back in as you have to stretch the bush around to close the gap.

Bazaa

you dont need the sleeve to hold the bush in place anymore, new bushes come with a ridge down the centre which recesses in a ridge down the modified clamps

That's the one bond!

Old type:

New type:

And clamp to match:

You can see the ridge on the back which holds the bush in place on the new ones.

pics stolen from vwpsares

I got 19mm superPRO bushes from PRI and they were tight and fit spot on.

I cant see a 17mm bush fitting right? also when/ if it dries out youll get the squeek back faster plus coz its smaller it will squeez out the grease?

It doesnt need to be tight fit round the bar just snug as the collar on the bar is what stops it moving.

billy

How much were the Superpro ones billy?

So does the squeaking come from the plastic sleeve? I replaced mine last year but left the sleeves on, I have a few squeaks again lately :'( but had ruled these out as possible causes as they are just changed.

So these plastic sleeves causes squeak if I understand right??? So the best job is to take the plastic sleeves of completely when doing it?? Another job to add to the list so ...

So does the squeaking come from the plastic sleeve?

I hope so as I'm going to change mine very soon with the new bush and clamp pictured above. The sound is quite embarassing really and sounds like I'm driving an old bed down the road. :(

Edited 26 May, 201115 yr by skinnyman

I hope so as I'm going to change mine very soon with the new bush and clamp pictured above. The sound is quite embarassing really and sounds like I'm driving an old bed down the road. :(

Andrew,

Does yours make the noise if you bounce the front up and down? Mine only does it when I'm driving.....