... Ball Joints on steering rack where steering arms attach & Front lower wishbone rear bushes.

Apologies if they are called something different but thats the best description i can give.

Just wondered if anyone has had to change either or both and a rough cost?

And does anyone have a way of finding out part numbers?

Ebay

Search .... Octavia vrs wishbones

Complete units £40 for 2

Simples

There you go for ball joints on steering rack (what year is your car ? I think they havnt changed but ill check) :-

There you go for front lower arms, as "Big Jase" stated you can get a good deal on ebay, avoid the eastern replicas tho lol

Thanks for the help chaps

Car is 2006.

Off to ebay i go...

The ball joints are called track or tie rod ends. They just screw off but they are known for seizing

Ive got kinda the opposite and got play in them, im hoping that if i replace them and the wishbones it will solve my bloody squeak!!!

If i was to buy these 2 items would this be everything i need to replace the parts that are worn on mine:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Tie-Rod-Steering-Rack-Inner-Audi-A3-petrol-diesel-1998-2003-/290666712217?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3AOctavia%7CCars+Type%3ARS+1.8+T&hash=item43ad160c99

+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-FRONT-WISHBONE-SUSPENSION-TRACK-TIE-ROD-BALL-JOINT-KIT-1J0407151C-/330658829715?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3AOctavia%7CCars+Type%3ARS+1.8+T&hash=item4cfccd5593

these are examples for the mo as havnt looked at which are best/cheapest yet

The first link is the track rods, the track rod ends go on the ends of those and connect to the hubs. The play is usually in the ball joint itself rather than where it connects to the track rod.

I've changed all of the above when I was changing my suspension I used the 2 wishbones from eBay and so far no probs (16 months of use), and the track ends I got from car spares as both of mine had rusted solid so i just cut them off!!

The first link is the track rods, the track rod ends go on the ends of those and connect to the hubs. The play is usually in the ball joint itself rather than where it connects to the track rod.

I was told it was the steering rack end joint that had the play, i thought the ones in the link included new ends aswell and the other link included everything else?

Danny p thats good to hear, im all for you get what you pay for but it must take a while for the difference in cost to show on something like this?

Ive got kinda the opposite and got play in them, im hoping that if i replace them and the wishbones it will solve my bloody squeak!!!

If i was to buy these 2 items would this be everything i need to replace the parts that are worn on mine:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Tie-Rod-Steering-Rack-Inner-Audi-A3-petrol-diesel-1998-2003-/290666712217?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3AOctavia%7CCars+Type%3ARS+1.8+T&hash=item43ad160c99

+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-FRONT-WISHBONE-SUSPENSION-TRACK-TIE-ROD-BALL-JOINT-KIT-1J0407151C-/330658829715?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3AOctavia%7CCars+Type%3ARS+1.8+T&hash=item4cfccd5593

these are examples for the mo as havnt looked at which are best/cheapest yet

You dont need the stabiliser links that connect wishbone to front arb as the octavia uses drop links from the strut to connect to arb.... You basically need the 2 wishbones alone without any links

I changed droplinks aswell, they are pretty common to fail and sqeeky noise's!!

There are inner tie rods and tie rod ends (which is the ball joint) If you're replacing the inners it would be silly not to do the outers at the same time. That link is for the inners only

Ah yeah sorry my mistake, i thought the other link included the other end but its not. I would get the whole arm in that case.

Anyone recommend which wish bones, tie rods & drop links to get?

I'm guessing the eBay ones are all the same but is there other options or is it not worth any extra expense?

For £42 for the lot, seems a tad cheap, I suspect they wont last that long at £20 per piece!

How about TPS? Euro car parts has 20% off, so £126 for the pair inc Balljoints 'Lemforder' which I believe are OEM suppliers?

Edited 18 January, 201313 yr by Liverpool-Lad

bri did think that it was very cheap but are they that much worse.

I may ask the garage to quote to replace as a whole or just bushes?

Im guessing the bushes might be tricky to get in and out.

... Ball Joints on steering rack where steering arms attach & Front lower wishbone rear bushes.

Apologies if they are called something different but thats the best description i can give.

Just wondered if anyone has had to change either or both and a rough cost?

And does anyone have a way of finding out part numbers?

The Ball joint or track rod ends are relatively easy to replace. as mentioned TPS or Euro car parts sell them reasonably cheap . Lemforder are OEM do not go for cheaper as will not last.

Front Wishbone rear bush is not so easy for a none DIYer , I have done it a few time by pressing out using vice a small and large sockets to press the bush into. Not difficult but time consuming. If not into that get wishbone with bushes in, again not a huge cost.

i wont bother to attempt it myself, not got the room. So will see what the garage say about cost.

Does the vrs use any different parts to a non vrs?

sorry for intrusion....can anyone help me with the 3 socket sizes to adjusting the tie rod? I cant remember correctly.Thanks!

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It depends on the manufacturer but the track rod should be 13mm and the track rod end should be 18mm IIRC. Cant remember the lock nut