As the above states.

My Fab vrs currently in main dealer having front lower bushes replaced. Now, i specifically asked the Service Manager whether the car would require tracking afterwards. He said it wouldnt be necessary.

I then asked about wheel alignment and again he said not necessary, although he confirmed that as the subframe would be removed the steering wheel MIGHT end up off centre, although he said "we'll do our best to keep it straight when bolting it all back together".

After reading some posts on here I am now fretting about what kind of steering state i will find my car in when i collect it tomorrow.

The garage concerned (Prestons Skoda in Chelmsford) have a very good reputation and i have used them a few times in the past, but I am doubting after reading stuff on here that the car will come back as i left it. The steering has always been bang on and steering wheel dead centre, anything less wont be good enough.

So, has anyone had bushes changed and NOT had wheel alignment or tracking done? Any issues? Is it ALWAYS necessary after change of bushes?

Thoughts please?

When I have changed console bushes, I have followed the DIY guide on here and that means not removing the subframe, by leaving the consoles in position nothing should theoretically move, although I always check the tracking afterwards, just in case.

 

If the steering wheel is off centre, don't alter the steering wheel position, it must be tracked up to suit the original position.

 

DB.

So supposing it comes back with the steering wheel out of centre, are you saying that simple wheel tracking should cure it?

I'd always get it done anyway, it won't hurt and will probably be out thanks to all the pot holes about!

Surely they shouldn't have to remove the entire subframe to do the front wishbone bushes??!

 

I'd 100% take it for alignment afterwards. I don't know when you last had your car aligned, but if you had it aligned with worn bushes then fitting new ones will probably throw it out just slightly.

He told be that the subframe would be removed, but i've also read on here that it can be done without removing the subframe.

So is the general consensus to get the alignment done afterwards or the tracking, or both?

Clearly, I'm sh!te at car stuff.

Yes, laser alignment includes tracking the front wheels with the steering wheel in a centre up position, nothing to worry about, it's just part of ensuring everything is straight after replacing the console bushes.

 

However, I reckon it should be included in the procedure of replacing front suspension parts (I know it would increase the price) but it's a bit like a garage fitting a new timing belt and not checking / re-setting the camshaft sprocket timing or a garage fitting new tyres and not balancing the wheels.

 

DB.

Edited 4 October, 201312 yr by mogwye

I had to get mine done when my bushes where replaced

I know that you have read previous postings, but, as I and others have said in various forums, all these cars based on this platform were designed (it seems) to allow a lo-tech approach to repairing them. That has meant that most, if not all the fixing bolt through holes are over sized and with no indexing/dowelling at all. VAG do provide a locating set of parts to allow for relocating a removed cross piece, but in my experience, with a "good" VW main dealer, this made no difference to the car getting away without a proper full "four wheel re-alignment" when they replaced the ARB - in fact they also advised carrying out this re-alignment which they did and left the car wearing its tyres in an unusual manner first time. Now that is when it gets a bit annoying! A "good" VAG indie also carried out this re-alignment 6 months later after they replacing these bushes for Cupra ones, that seemed to cure the issues I had with the VW dealer's re-alignment, except I had failed to notice that over the course of 12 months, this second re-alignment left me with the front tyres worn down to advisory level. The initial VW dealer repeated the four wheel re-alignment after I replaced the front tyres and 5 or 6 years later the overall alignment is still good.

Cheers for the replies folks, its good to see that after a few years away the Briskoda community are still there to help.

So, dealer called at 4.45 to say car now ready, so i shot down to collect it.

So far so good, the steering is still dead centre as it was before it went in, and having had the bushes replaced the car def feels better.

I am now going to replace my tyres in a few weeks (just spent £1000 on the car in the last week so skint) and will get a full alignment after that.

Cheers all.

Edited 4 October, 201312 yr by carefree