Console bushes

[StuartA]

Hi

 

I've had a visual health check carried out by my local dealer. They've advised that the console bushes are starting to split. I believe they are referring to these parts:

 

http://www.skodaparts.com/product/octavia-a5-n-s-front-wishbone-rear-bush-2004-2011-30066

 

http://www.skodaparts.com/product/octavia-a5-o-s-front-wishbone-rear-bush-2004--30068

 

These parts total £114.02 (or £132.58 without the offer currently available).

 

My local dealer wants £378.66 for parts and labour (this includes a 20% discount on parts and labour - allegedly).

 

Am I being taken for a ride here or will these parts really take all day to fit? (I've assumed labour rates of £50/hour - would this be realistic?)

 

Thanks in advance - Stuart

[langers2k]

I've not done this but that seems expensive.

 

Quality pattern parts from Lemforder are about £25 a side:

- http://www.autodoc.co.uk/lemforder/1272787

- http://www.autodoc.co.uk/lemforder/1272788

 

Fitting shouldn't take long either as both are accessible once the car is off it's wheels. If you look under the car you'll see them at the rear of the front lower wishbones. Even with tracking I'd only expect an hour or two.

 

The bolts should ideally be replaced at the same time I believe.

[cheshire_cat]

@ approx £30 each or £38approx for a pair of bushes and approx 3hours ? labour  I think they are on to a good thing + you subframe query   someones having a laFF   get another opinion  

[Tech1e]

I very much doubt £50 per/hour is realistic for a main dealer. More like double that inc VAT.

[StuartA]

I very much doubt £50 per/hour is realistic for a main dealer. More like double that inc VAT.

 

I'm in the wrong game...

[Tech1e]

I'm in the wrong game...

Yeah, but then a tech gets around £10 of that per hour.

[StuartA]

Yeah, but then a tech gets around £10 of that per hour.

 

I don't doubt it.

[blackspaven]

Is this the same part that can be replaced for TT or S3 bushes which are firmer and make the car more reactive?? Just an alternative if they need changing anyway and it IS the same fit.

[Tilt]

I purchased the Lemforder from ECP at £25 each.

 

Did the job myself on a (supported) trolley jack. Just spray dismantling lube on the end of the bolts (top of consoles) a few days beforehand.

The rubbers slid off, and on the arm surprisingly easily with a very little lube.

 

IMO new bolts are not the be all and end all, though they are called 'stretch bolts'.

 

Get tracking checked / adjusted and job done.

[Tech1e]

Yup. You can also fit the same Ibiza Cupra bushes in as you do on the Fabia and they cost £8 each (although a main dealer won't do this, they will install the bush complete with the aluminium mounting block).

[Tilt]

Or buy the parts yourself and get an independent to do the job for you.

 

£380 seems ridiculous imo. I assume this price would include the tracking though.

[joncc]

I had this done for £60 labour plus about £30 parts as I recall.

(Thread somewhere!)

Edited 17 June, 2016 by joncc

[brad1.8T]

Febi 33973 are S3 equivalents.  cheap as chips