Hi all,

Just after some confirmation that Im about to do the right thing. Apparently I have some warn bushes up front on my Octavia 4x4 1.8T hatch - very suprised tbh as the car has only covered 25,000 miles - anyway, Im going to ask Power Engineering to replace the standard bushes with the Powerflex equivalents when it goes in for a service this coming Friday. Is this the right thing to do? Ive had them previously on Fords and Ive been impressed so I dont see that it should be any different really?

Im having the front R32 23mm arb fitted at the same time so obviously the R32 specific Powerflex bushes will be installed then. I'll be having the rear ones done also as apparently there are only two?

Any advice would be greatfully received,

Cheers,

Lee

I replaced all the available bushes on mine for the powerflex ones,havn't noticed much difference in ride other than a bit of vibration from the dog bone mount bushes and as my original suspension bushes where very worn then i don't know if there is any major impovement over oe ones other than the fact these bushes are new,or maybe its because i drive like an old lady most of the time and thats why i don't feel the difference:rofl:

I read recently an opinion that powerflex bushes (at least on the REAR of a car) can lead to too much erosion as they don't allow enough lateral movement.

I can try to find the forum post I read if you want.

Here it is:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2118568

Lee,

I've had the same on my Fords (4x4's) also, can't fault the Powerflex bushes.

The only thing I noticed with the Powerflex item was ,,,,,,,,,,, fit & forget!

Ive had Powerflex on the Front & on the rear adjustable suspension arms (NOTE these are a lot cheaper from Jabba than Forge) & you will need them if you lower the car.

Anyway re the powerflex, they are good BUT the failure rate is IMO terrible, Ive had 2 on the front replaced as it just scraped the MOT & the ones on the rear have just been replaced by some that Jabba made up as one of the Powerflex ones had completely broken up (powerflex seemed unable to supply replacements)

Ive had Powerflex on the Front & on the rear adjustable suspension arms (NOTE these are a lot cheaper from Jabba than Forge) & you will need them if you lower the car.

Anyway re the powerflex' date=' they are good BUT the failure rate is IMO terrible, Ive had 2 on the front replaced as it just scraped the MOT & the ones on the rear have just been replaced by some that Jabba made up as one of the Powerflex ones had completely broken up (powerflex seemed unable to supply replacements)[/quote']

I'm on my 3rd set on the front due to problems. Powerflex eventually had to make me some specials to sort the problem. I posted up on here about it so a quick search may reveal more info.

why are you replacing the front arb? I thought it was the rear one that needed changing to make the handling better?

why are you replacing the front arb? I thought it was the rear one that needed changing to make the handling better?

Ideally both need doing, with just the front done the car will be stiffer but understeer will increase. At least thats what my 4x4 did. Now the Jabba rear is fitted its the way it should always have been :)

I'm so glad I've read this thread - I was planning on powerflex bushes all round

I think I'll stick to a fresh set of OEM now.

i thought the front one was stiff enough anyhow, its the rear end that I have problems with...

I replaced the front ARB on my Octy with a 25mm Neuspeed item and put the 28mm rear ARB on at the same time and it made a huge amout of difference.

I do feel that the 25mm on is a tiny bit to much for general road driving so would probably go for the R32 item now,and its cheaper!!!!

The rear item is fantastic,one of the most beneficial additions to the Octy to improve its handling.

If your near Essex your more than willing to take mine out for a drive to compare it to yours.

when you say the 25mm is too much, what exactly is wrong?

I am having these fitted saturday!, am slightly concerned now.

I replaced the front ARB on my Octy with a 25mm Neuspeed item and put the 28mm rear ARB on at the same time and it made a huge amout of difference.

I do feel that the 25mm on is a tiny bit to much for general road driving so would probably go for the R32 item now' date='and its cheaper!!!![/quote']

Can you define 'bit to much for general road driving'?

Not enough body roll? Makes the car too pointy?

ColD has the uprated ARB on his car and trust me - its not "too much" I was amazed with how sharp the turn-in felt.

Hi guys, just to update you all, I had all the front bushes replaced minus the arb as the R32 one I had ordered didnt arrive in time for the service :(

Im not sure if Im feeling the improvments as mine were surprinsingly worn for just 25k miles or whether its that a lot of the above posts are from VRS owners but boy what a difference! They are superb, so much so that Im wondering if U could even get away with not doing the front R32 arb now!

Powerflex do different stages - yellow being just slightly stiffer than standard and the purple ones, stiffer still - these are what I went for. The car somehow feels more planted with a better indicator of what each of the front wheels is doing via increased feedback through the wheel and seat! Cornering is so so much better now - theres slightly less roll but as you go in harder instead of getting worse (leaning more) it seems to tighten up further now.

This is a great mod imo; I'll just keep my fingers crossed that they last and dont give me any of the above problems.

Is your 4x4 still running on the "monster turck" ride height ?

Is your 4x4 still running on the "monster turck" ride height ?

It sure is. I was considering the KW V3 coilovers but I may wait to see if any other kits make it to market over the next few months (unlikely I know!).

With the upgraded bushing I think id even be happy with something like a -30mm spring set on the standard dampers.

Lee

With the upgraded bushing I think id even be happy with something like a -30mm spring set on the standard dampers.

Lee

Did that with mine Lee, standard shocks with Eibachs. dropped it about 25mm, road holding is sooooooooooooooooooo much better, and it does'nt bash your fillings out every time you hit a bump.

I have H&R springs with standard shocks on my 4x4 and I've been very happy with the setup.

Did that with mine Lee, standard shocks with Eibachs. dropped it about 25mm, road holding is sooooooooooooooooooo much better, and it does'nt bash your fillings out every time you hit a bump.

The problem with mine Gerry is that (being a 4x4) there arent any simple spring kits available. :(

Lee

The problem with mine Gerry is that (being a 4x4) there arent any simple spring kits available. :(

Lee

Yes there is! See my post above.

I have H&R springs with standard shocks on my 4x4 and I've been very happy with the setup.

Ok, now im excited!

Eddy - how much do they lower by and where can I get them from?

Are they the only make available Eddy?

Cheers,

Lee

Ok' date=' now im excited!

Eddy - how much do they lower by and where can I get them from?

Are they the only make available Eddy?

Cheers,

Lee[/quote']

35mm IIRC, looks very similar to a standard vRS ride height wise (pics in my gallery but it's down at the mo). JBS got them for me after alot of digging and AFAIK H&R were the only manufacturer that did them.

Cheers Eddy - I'll be contacting JBS this week but by looking at the H&R applications listing they only do spring kits for the 2wd hatches and estates as well as the 4wd estate - no sign of a 4x4 hatchback spring set. :(

Wont give up that easily though!

Lee