So I've got some replacement front and console bushes for the front wishbones and I'm wondering if it's something that can be easily DIY'd.

The local indy is quoting 1 hour 30 per side, which seems a little high.

So the questions I have are:

a. ) Am I barking and 1.5hours per side is right?

b. )Can it be done yourself without a press?

c. ) If I'm doing the front, which other bushes/mounts should I check for degredation of the rubber.

Ta

Edited 1 August, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai

It is a time consuming process. The wheel and brake assembly has to come out and the driveshaft disconnected. Changing the bushes without a press is also going to be tricky. I got the ones on mine changed in front of me a few months ago. Took 2 hours. Of course one can do it oneself with the right set of tools but my guess is it is not going to be an easy DIY.

And you need a geometry check afterwards

It is a time consuming process. The wheel and brake assembly has to come out and the driveshaft disconnected. Changing the bushes without a press is also going to be tricky. I got the ones on mine changed in front of me a few months ago. Took 2 hours. Of course one can do it oneself with the right set of tools but my guess is it is not going to be an easy DIY.

Surely you just undo the ball joint (3 bolts), undo the bolt through the front bush (single joint) and then undo the three rear bush bolts?

Why do you have to take out the brake and driveshaft, am I missing something?

I can certainly understand that the needing a press comment, and the local garage did say if I can get them off they'll press them in for £10.

In terms of the alignment, yes I'm aware of that, but will probably wait a week or so or a couple of hundred miles so it's all settled in before getting it geo checked. A full 4 wheel geo, with toe and camber adjustment here seems to be about £100.

That plus if I do the front shockers too, I might as well do them at the same time and save myself an extra alignment.

Edited 1 August, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai

Front shocks can be a nightmare to get out of the hubs - and disconnecting the ARB drop links is a pain as well. If I were you I would get new drop links and just cut the old ones off and bin them - it will save a fair bit of time.

You are right about just undoing the balljoint to get the arm off.

Have you got standard ones or have you gone for powerflex/superpro?

Front shocks can be a nightmare to get out of the hubs - and disconnecting the ARB drop links is a pain as well. If I were you I would get new drop links and just cut the old ones off and bin them - it will save a fair bit of time.

You are right about just undoing the balljoint to get the arm off.

Have you got standard ones or have you gone for powerflex/superpro?

I've got a new drop link on the front, so that should be ok as they were fitted less than a year ago.

If I can work out on the suspension front, what to do, then I'll probably just get the indy to do it all at the same time.

In terms of the bushes, the after-market ones don't look the best quality and the arms didn't come with new ball joints, so a very expensive way to buy new bushes. The OEM front bushes were not stupidly priced, however the rear ones were very expensive for what they are.

The indy has recommended the superpro as a longer life version of the OEM bushes, because while they are solid and last longer they are not harsh.

Based on that I'll probably go that way.

I am thinking of doing mine and going down the superpro route as well, probably these

http://www.superpro.eu.com/catalogue/19/skoda-octavia-mkii-2004-_to-current/#SPF3273K

You are right about just undoing the balljoint to get the arm off.

this is correct, no need to remove the drive shaft, just undo the 3 ball joints, the wishbone pivot bolt and the two bolts holding the console and the whole wishbone should come off. I got my local garage to press in the new superpro ones into the console and did the rest myself.

Superpro ones are superior to the original ones as the console brush is in two bits so they rotate rather than twist which is why the originals ones wear out.so quickly

You changing the front wishbone bush as well as the rear console bush.

You changing the front wishbone bush as well as the rear console bush.

Be daft not to whilst the arm is off - looking at Superpro for both. Depends how it fares at the MoT in a month as to if I do them now or in a few months.

Sorry question was aimed at OP but same goes I guess.

I only ask as you don't need to take the arm off to change the rear ones and if the fronts are ok why bother?

OP said was doing both in the first post

You changing the front wishbone bush as well as the rear console bush.

Hi Ross,

Yes, figured it's be daft not to, as it's the Labour that's the cost.

This seems to be the correct kit:

http://www.upratedbu...oduct.php/3302/

Only downside with superpro is that the rear bush kit is about £350, which is a clear £100 more than the powerflex.

Bearing in mind the similarity in the rear bush design in bith kits, I think for the rear I'd save the £100 and for the front, I'd take the super-pro due to the metal case around the bush.

Just got to work out what to do on the springs/shocks now

I could have just done the rear console bushes, but since the fronts are original on the car (2005 with 100k miles on it) I figure they're probably in need too.

Edited 1 August, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai

If your going to do it why not fit the full superpro arm which is alloy and already has the bushes fitted. May be less labour as well as no faff pushing (or burning!) old bushes out?

it really is this easy,

i wouldnt try putting oem bushes back in the front of the wishbone as its far more hassle than a 2 piece bush.

as for the console bush...burn it out,or ask someone with a press

http://www.golfmkv.net/blog/archives/81#

If your going to do it why not fit the full superpro arm which is alloy and already has the bushes fitted. May be less labour as well as no faff pushing (or burning!) old bushes out?

I didn't see it at any of the resellers or superpro.eu otherwise I might have considered it.

I was originally looking at a whole wishbone swap, based on the lower labour costs.

If it had been available, I'd have probably got a pair, got a pair of new balljoints and gone on that.

As it is, I'm staying with the cast wishbones that are on the car unless superpro want to do me a swap

it really is this easy,

i wouldnt try putting oem bushes back in the front of the wishbone as its far more hassle than a 2 piece bush.

as for the console bush...burn it out,or ask someone with a press

http://www.golfmkv.n...og/archives/81#

Will have a look at it

Ta