My sons 1.2htp (64bhp) 2004 fabia failed last years MOT on a console bush. The MOT garage did us a "favour" by replacing both sides with the latest VAG solid bushes as opposed to the original voided bushes. "Should last for ever" was their reasoning.

The result was a way unacceptable level of engine vibration thrumming throughout the cabin with any attempt to accelerate below about 2200 rpm. Also (but less concerning) harsher ride and increase in road noise.

They said it would settle down over time, but it didnt really.

So this year I've told them to refit original spec voided bushes as everyone wants the old Fabia magic carpet ride back.

I believe there is a middle option, semi voided (or x bush?) I wonder if anyone has any experience and/or comments about this, or is this now the standard type of bush offered by Skoda?

Edited 7 June, 201214 yr by xman

I replaced my worn voided bushes with some Meyle HD ones. Were a definite improvement on the voided design, and were of the X bush design.

Beemer owners seem to swear by Meyle HD stuff so thought i'd give them a whirl.

They were a massive improvement in ride quality and stability for me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meyle-HD-VW-Polo-Fox-Skoda-Fabia-Front-Wishbone-Rear-Console-Bush-/250993012071#ht_500wt_1150

I have seen X style console bushes from skoda which I believe garages were fitting if the OEM's failed within the warrenty period. Personally I fitted the powerflex ones which are a two part solid design.

Each person has a limit to the amount of vibrations etc they will cope with, with myself I don't as I'm safe in the knowledge their not going to be failing any time soon.

The original bushes as fitted at the factory only had one support running through them as per below:

They realised these were always failing and so released the revised bushes. These are what you will get if you purchase replacement bushes from your dealer. They no longer supply the original type.

I have these fitted and they're great. Much better than the original bushes, and no increase in vibrations.

They look like below:

The other option is the solid Cupra bush which is why you sometimes get excess vibrations through the cabin.

Thanks for that explanation, very clear!

Thanks for that explanation, very clear!

Shame he's got the first one wrong. Factory bush web runs top to bottom, not side to side.

Increased vibration, stories I've read some seem genuine but at least one other was down to other worn mounts or componenets flapping about after less than stellar maintenance.

J.

Shame he's got the first one wrong. Factory bush web runs top to bottom, not side to side.

Isnt that how its shown?

I realise that the bad vibration issue may possibly down to something else they did, but I gotta start somewhere and they agreed to do me a good price (not yet known) as they accept they didnt consult me about the "upgrade".

Like I said - the Meyle stuff is dirt cheap and very good quality.

I'm with Vindaloo on this, I chose Powerflex which is a 2 part solid bush and i've had absolutely no increase in vibration, I was concerned i'd suffer some but they've been perfect so far (over 8k in 4 months). Personally i'd suggest asking them to check the engine mount's inc the dog bone and the arb bushes before doing anything as the last thing you want to do is have the bushes replaced and experience the same issue or the new bush mask another issue.

weird as mine has the solid bushes on and (unknown to me) since i've owned the car and never had any vibration in the cabin

ive had a slight increase in vibrations since the cupra bushes were fitted but only in 5 gear just below 30mph

I did a post ages ago re the merits of the 2-piece design as used by Powerflex, Superpro, & Whiteline in the tech section.......here......

http://www.briskoda....ade-the-bushes/

Isnt that how its shown?

I realise that the bad vibration issue may possibly down to something else they did, but I gotta start somewhere and they agreed to do me a good price (not yet known) as they accept they didnt consult me about the "upgrade".

Either I was lying down when I wrote that and forgot to rotate 90 degrees or he's modified the image...

Whatever, it's probably a sign of aging...

I have the 4 web variety, they are holding up well and no real noticeable

increase in vibration at all. Been in for about 10k so far.

I had the 4 web supplied and fitted by Skoda dealer 3 months ago - couldn't see the point in doing them myself as only cost Euro 124 total which also included 2 H7's for spares, I would have had to have got the tool which would have cost me more than that! Amazingly, the car had done over 160,000 km (100,000 miles) on the originals!

Edited 8 June, 201214 yr by PD75

ive had a slight increase in vibrations since the cupra bushes were fitted but only in 5 gear just below 30mph

You're changing up a bit early aren't you? I tend to keep away from 5th till circa 40mph on the mpi though the vrs will be geared differently.

I can't say that I'd ever be in 5th doing just 30 :wonder:

Sure it'll pootle along but when you press the gas nothing much

will happen for a second or two until you get back on boost.

Sure the vibration isn't the engine labouring?

The Fabia in question is a 3 cylinder 12v 1.2L so in a sense anything under 2000 rpm might be considered "labouring", but the original bushes, which lasted 100k, isolated the (engine via transmission) vibration completely and you could floor the throttle from very low revs without the vibrating dustbin effect.

Of course VRS or diesel drivers might find the vibration "sporty" or even normal but I'm aiming for smooth and quiet like it was originally.

We shall see tomorrow when the bushes are changed.

No turbo to worry about then, I understand now.

In that case, I'm with you there xman, I opted against cupra bushes or polybushes

myself for similar reasons. I found the X type to be perfectly acceptable

vibration wise, but the diesel fabias aren't the most refined cars in the world.

and there's a fair bit of vibration present whatever bushes have been in the car.

Anything that keeps it to a minimum is a good thing in my book.

The standard (now X type) VAG bushes are now fitted and the quiet, vibration-free, magic carpet ride is back!!!

Hats off to Descars of Doncaster who did it FOC (just paid for bushes) as they were the first to accept they perhaps jumped the gun in fitting the solid bushes last year instead of standard. They apperently had a hell of a job getting the solid bushes out as they have a metal outer instead of the nylon/plastic of the standard bush and they are two very experienced independent mechanics.

Ride is improved and the handling doesnt seem much different to the solid bushes, but I dont drive (bear in mind its a 1.2htp) to the limit.

It seems that 3 cylinder engines and solid bushes are not a good combination.