Tell me about bushes/wishbones

[ethos]

Hi guys,

Could someone explain more about wishbones/bushes. I see people have upgraded them, and have said it is worth doing but i'm still a little confused as to what they are, how many there are etc..

Just wondering;

What are the benifits

What are the costs

Where are the bushes/wishbones and what they do

Thanks

[vRS_Si]

You've got 4 wishbone bushes at the front of the car.

Two upper and two lower.

I've got some SuperPro bushes on mine, they cost about £60. I replaced mine as I was told they needed doing at my last MOT. I got mine from Jabba.

They give much more feedback through the steering wheel as to the direction the front wheels are pointing in!

[shoveitpusher]

car design is a compromise between cost, functionality and comfort.

for handling you want as little uncontrolled movement in the wishbone as possible, metal ball joints will satisfy this but will transmit noise and vibration into the cabin.

an elastic material will absorb this Noise Vibration and Harshness. the cheapest elastic material is rubber. however this deteriorates with time and gets softer so the suspension moves in random directions.

polyurethane seems to be able to satisfy the NVH issue, as well as the stiffness issue, it also satisfies the age issue, it fails in oem terms on the cost issue (and the cynics amonst us may say the aftermarket spares potential as well)

a wishbone connects the road wheel to the body aka suspension arm.

[David 8]

You've got 4 wishbone bushes at the front of the car.

Two upper and two lower.

Is there uppers I know there are lowers because I'm forever changing the bushes. Never seen a upper though :confused::confused:

[Beretta]

Well worth doing the inner and outer wishbones, but also do the dogmount bush at the same time.

I used Powerflex and they are good.

[vRS_Si]

Is there uppers I know there are lowers because I'm forever changing the bushes. Never seen a upper though :confused::confused:

Upper/lower, inner/outer I've seen both terms used, either way there are 4 in total

[ethos]

Well worth doing the inner and outer wishbones, but also do the dogmount bush at the same time.

I used Powerflex and they are good.

When you say inner and outer wishbones, do you mean the bushes for them.. or the actual wishbones?

Sorry, bit of a novice with suspension parts!

I think I saw a full set quoted @ £160, I thought they were a little cheaper.

Anyone had them fitted at a garage, if so- what sort of labour was it?

[David 8]

See here

Items marked 1 and 2 are the bushes, we don't have 3 on the octy so forget that one

1 and 2 can be upgraded with the poly bushes

HTH

[David 8]

And a little bit more info for you if you fancy changing them yourself.

Powerflex fitting on front wishbones with a hacksaw - uk-mkivs

[David 8]

I'm really pushing the boat out for you here http://www.powerflex.co.uk/images/pdf/0130.pdf

[ethos]

Thanks mate, much appreciated.

[David 8]

I'm really pushing the boat out for you here http://www.powerflex.co.uk/images/pdf/0130.pdf

You don't need number 4 on this as its the same one as 3 on VW document, if you get what I mean

[Beretta]

Having seen them done on mine, you need a fair size press to get them in and out, not what I would really call a DIY in the street job.

[martziniuk]

Yes a press is very advantageous, and i would not advise going under the car when it has snow dropping off it . You also need a suitable piece of metal to press it out with.

[Fezboy]

Mine are all getting done next week so I'll see what the difference is soon

[ethos]

Mine are all getting done next week so I'll see what the difference is soon

Nice, make sure you let us know the results

[ethos]

Yes a press is very advantageous, and i would not advise going under the car when it has snow dropping off it . You also need a suitable piece of metal to press it out with.

I think i'd probably get my local garage to do it.

Snow dropping off it? :eek:

Wish there was a VAG tuning specialist down in Cornwall...

[gmaster]

ethos mate! i have super-pro wishbone bushes fitted, upgraded as one of the oem bushes was shot!

Really tighten's the front up nicely and more direct steering feel. But one thing i have noticed is it seems more sensitive to road camber.

I had my supplyed and fitted for £190.00 at tsr. Hope this helps bud!

[ethos]

Nice one mate, it does help! Good to get a rough feeling of cost fitted + thoughts of them!

[Lex Dysia]

Has anyone had the rear beam mounting bushes upgraded, are they worth doing too?

[Octavia Vrs!]

Hi ethos, I've got Powerflex front bushes but cant really comment on any improvement as coilovers were fitted at the same time. I did however have a problem when one popped out after about 4weeks. Was making a very nasty noise :eek: (very rare but this has happened to other cars as well)

Went back in to Awesome GTI and have had no problems since.

[Jigger72]

Just jumping on the thread because I've been asking about this today. Does anyone know if it is still 2 hours labour if I'm getting new suspension fitted anyway, or is it something that can be done easily while the car's up on the ramp and has it's suspension off?? Thanks