Creaking

Over the last fortnight I noticed a creaking sound when getting in and out of the fabia when it's on an incline...not when parked flat. (I haven't piled on the pounds). Additionally, I hear it when passengers get into the rear seats.

Some threads on here talk about taking a jet wash to the undercarriage or lubing some parts, but that seems to be only a temporary measure.

I've read it could be the bushes...presumably this isn't something checked on MOT's as that was done earlier this month. I had an advisory for the front anti roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover being deteriorated on both sides and the previous owner replaced both front suspension bushes in May 2011 at 82k miles (now on 93). I doubt they used uprated parts....repair was done at 'Direct Tyres' and bushes cost £45 each.

If it is the bushes...where can I source the parts cheaply? Should I go for the Seat dealers for the Cupra ones? I've seen Tom's instructional thread on how to replace these...but I don't think I'm brave enough to attempt it...the most I've done solo on the underside is fit a RARB and bleed my brakes.

Brakes

I was hoping to upgrade the front brakes, but wanted to clarify if the 1.9TDI had inferior brakes to the VRS. If so, the plan would be to scour eBay for VRS hand-me-downs...if not, then I'd look for the Octavia ones. Regardless of which I go for, am I right in thinking all I need are new calipers and discs+pads or new carriers too?

The previous owner replaced all discs and pads in May 2011 at 82k miles...so I'm going to wait a bit longer to wear those down and give me time to procure parts. It seems easy enough to do solo...I think.

The creaking is just the rear brakes/handbrake, pull it up another click it'll stop. That's what it only does it on hills.

If you have a non vrs, you need new hubs, discs, pads, calipers & carriers. Anything lower than the vrs has different hubs. It's up to you which you go for, fabia or octavia setup, I'd go octavia after all the effort tbh.

Thanks for the tips...I'll pull the handbrake up another click and listen out. I forgot to add that the rear passengers creaking was when it was on a flat...sorry for the misunderstanding. If the handbrake doesn't sort it, is it bushes next? If so, I've read some signatures saying 'poly bushes all round'...which additional bushes do they mean by 'all round'? I'm planning on taking it to Unit 18 over the xmas break to sort out the MOT advisory (anti roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover)...if Ally/Jason are going to raise the car to sort those out, I might as well get them to upgrade the bushes too...

Is it worth looking on ebay for octavia VRS hub, caliper and carriers or should I fork out on new ones? I'll go for new discs+pads once the current ones are nearing their end...

Many thanks!

As well as the 312mm x 25mm Vented Discs, 54mm ATE single piston calipers, carriers, hubs and decent pads....would I need new brake lines or anything else I am missing out?

Are the hubs sourced from that same list of cars (TT, S3, Oct VRS, MK3 VR6) or can I search any others?

I *think* cars with 288mm setup (fabia vrs etc) have the hubs you need also.

thanks for the tip...ill keep my eyes peeled. just picked up the whole lot without hubs but with goodridge brake lines for £100. Nice reddish orange colour, so will go well against the cayenne orange.