Hi, 

Doing some work that will require tracking / tyre alignment (toe) afterwards so planning on doing front wishbone bushes, the front and the console bush. This is because based on miles I'm expecting them going soon, so preventative maintenance.

Can anyone who has replaced these bushes comment on whether it is worth spending the extra £ for polyurethane bushes. The ARB powerflex I replaced was an improvement in my opinion. 

I've read the posts on the seat cupra bushes causing excessive vibrations and I'll probably avoid these.  I'm looking for info on longevity, ride firmness, installation issues. The Powerflex bushes appear to be both 2 pieces bushes with a metal tube to insert between them. 

My local bullseye is offering a rubber bush and an updated rubber one for £15 mark. Last oe set from dealer had metal outer sleeve and rubber interior but with voids. I didn't fit these but since that time I have undertaken a fair bit of work, including rear axle bushes.

I have a bush insert press, as used for last job.  Any advice on orientation of rubber or powerflex bushes is appreciated. I know the voids in rubber OE ones have to be rotated to correct position before inserting, whatever that is.

If rubber, what grease is recommended? Lithium? Powerflex come with their own grease.

Thanks in advance

Just to add, I've been told that only toe can be corrected on Fabia Vrs 1, can camber be altered and caster. I see bushes on powerflex site in which the centre hole is offset, listed as camber alterable. Thanks

I went with the solid Ibiza cupra ones. Original design is a voided bush which is a bit squishy.  I'd say go with the Ibiza cupra ones or some polyurethane ones. I found it quite a difficult job but with the right tools it should be easy enough. Probably really easy if you take the console off the car

 

There is a very small amount of wiggle at the top mounts and Ball joints but not enough to really get much camber adjustment. Worth a shot though

 

If you have uneven camber side to side you could look at shifting the subframe a bit. Not too hard. Bolts are single use but people reuse them all the time

 

 

For me, the strange thing about the Cupra versions causing vibration is, the SEAT Ibiza Cupra used the same engine and gearbox as the Fabia VRS - unless I've missed something.  I got Cupra ones fitted to my wife's old 2002 Polo 1.4 16V 75PS and they were excellent, probably outlasted the car and improved the feel of the steering and the turn in.  I thought that they were the only ones to get a metal outer skin, ie an alloy outer instead of the normal nylon. VW Group did/do sell a grease for helping with fitting these into the consoles.

The advantage of the poly ones is that you don't need a tool to insert them, you can tap them in with a hammer.

Cupra bushes work really well, I used washing up liquid to help them in, don't use grease, you want something that won't affect the rubber.

3 hours ago, corndog said:

look at shifting the subframe a bit

Subframe has been refitted after a new clutch, flywheel was fitted by garage. Car has pull to left. I'm pretty certain it's inner tie rod joint as there is play only on near side.

2 hours ago, rum4mo said:

a metal outer skin, ie an alloy outer instead of the normal nylon

Maybe the Fabia OE ones were nylon sheathed, but felt solid and were metallic looking. 

1K0407183E is part number I found for Cupra  bushes from a 2014 post on this site, from Wino. Cupra seem to be way to go, but what about vibration around 1500 rpm which reported. I have the bush insertion tool set but it's no good at removal as bush is often seized. Insertion was much easier than removal.

What is a fair price to pay for Cupra bushes and what about the bush located forward of the rear console bush? See No1 on polyflex site diagram

That's not the Cupra bush part number. The number is 6LL407183.

 

The number you posted is for the improved OEM bushes.

Bush number 1 in your pic never needs touching. They just don't fail.

 

A blowtorch helps with removing the standard nylon sleeved bushes. I softened mine with the blowtorch and was able to get them out with a screwdriver.

Installed OE X-type large bushes No.2 180’000km ago- and they still are ok. For my dynamic but not sporty driving OE execution is far enough.

On 17/04/2019 at 00:34, bmbmdmb said:

Maybe the Fabia OE ones were nylon sheathed, but felt solid and were metallic looking. 

OE are nylon sheated- and with liquid soap goes into bracket quite normally.