Suspension advice, please

[conmore]

Hi there

My daughter owns a May 2005 VW Polo 3 door 1.4 hatch and was complaining about a knocking noise under the front of the car.

I jacked it up, used stands and had a look underneath and the large bush at the rear of the lower "wishbone" or control arm (not sure what its called) is badly worn. The one on the RHS is starting to wear as well. It sits in an alloy housing and which is bolted to the cross member.

I have access to a hoist, hydraulic press and tools and am fairly mechanically skilled but need advice from someone who has replaced these on the steps required to remove and replace the bush and/or a link to a pdf showing the steps.

Any advice on the best place to purchase the bushes would also be appreciated.

Cheers

[Spec83]

J-Mac if you PM him, will be able to tell you the part number or even help you source a replacement - most of us have upgraded that to a solid rubber bush, which is a SEAT item.

Also check the vertical swaybar links for tightness and/or wear, as they are a fairly common source of front-end knocking too!!

[noone]

they are really cheap in the UK, but you have to be prepared to wait a few weeks.

Awesome - OEM Cupra TDI front wishbone rear bushes (pair) for Fabia/Ibiza/A2/Polo 9N+9N2

Grab some top mounts and bearings while you are at it, they seem to die pretty quickly, may as well do a refresh on the parts that are likely to be on the way out... they don't seem to have them listed, but you can ask them to supply those as well, should be around $100 all up, the labour will be more than that.

[conmore]

Hi there

Thanks for the info. The wishbone moves about 20mm when I use a tyre lever between the wishbone and the cross member so I'm figuring it's that but I'll check the others as well. Any clues to the R&R anyone, please and in steps.

Cheers

[noone]

R&R?

You want to do it yourself? There are some threads on it, but unless you are a mechanic or have a history with fairly extensive works and have specialised tools, I'd suggest getting a mechanic to do it.

[conmore]

Hi there

I have the tools and don't think I should have a problem doing the work, just need a guide to removing and replacing the bush.

Cheers

[Blitzen]

Theere is 3 bolts that locate the control arm rear mount. These bolts are single use only, and will meet to be replaced once removed. The stock bush should be easy to remove as it will be torn away... Use a small cold chisel to remove the outer part of the bush from inside the mount. Press in the new bush and re mount, torque up, then get a wheel alignment.

[conmore]

Theere is 3 bolts that locate the control arm rear mount. These bolts are single use only, and will meet to be replaced once removed. The stock bush should be easy to remove as it will be torn away... Use a small cold chisel to remove the outer part of the bush from inside the mount. Press in the new bush and re mount, torque up, then get a wheel alignment.

Hi there

Do you mean the three bolts that locate the lower ball joint to the wishbone? And should I get genuine VW replacement bushes or are there recommendations for something better?

Cheers

[Blitzen]

Sorry. Yes, you have to remove the lower ball joint blots in addition to the other three that I stated.

You can get the SEAT Cupra solid bushes. These are a VAG product, and superior to the stock fitted bushes. These can be bought at any number of online stores, or JMAC on here could maybe supply you with some. He is the guy who fitted mine, and has done more of these replacements than I have had hot dinners.

[conmore]

Sorry. Yes, you have to remove the lower ball joint blots in addition to the other three that I stated.

You can get the SEAT Cupra solid bushes. These are a VAG product, and superior to the stock fitted bushes. These can be bought at any number of online stores, or JMAC on here could maybe supply you with some. He is the guy who fitted mine, and has done more of these replacements than I have had hot dinners.

Hi there
Yes, thanks for that but I was referring to the bolts that need to be replaced you mentioned in an earlier post. Which bolts exactly do you mean?? Also which online store/s can you recommend for the replacement bushes. I'll definitely do both sides.

Cheers