Bad directional stability during acceleration and braking

[h100vw]

Had a productive couple of hours earlier. I knew it needed doing and bought the parts easily 6 months ago.

The Toledo had a front end that wandered about a bit under braking and acceleration. I have seen this numerous times in the past and knew that the rear bushes on the front wishbones would be shot away.

I got the std bushes from Imparts and they were less than $30 for the pair. I have also used poly ones but they squeak usually and aren't really the best for the job. The perfect solution comes from the Fatherland. The S3 and TT have the same wishbone design but the bush is solid rubber rather than having the cut outs of the cheaper version. I have these on my Ibiza and like them, they were $90 a pair when I got them.

I wasn't wrong. I usually make a point of doing these on any VW I buy, they are cheap and less than an hour a side to do without a workshop to help you.

The hardest part is fitting the new bush into the wishbone. A press would be the best tool but a large hammer was used today!!

Of course an alignment is now required as the steering wheel is on the slant. Still I can fit new tyres knowing that they won't get scrubbed off in minutes now.

Check out the pictures for before during and after.

Gavin

[h100vw]

[Manaz]

Are you able to describe the removal and re-insertion process (rather than just "use a big hammer"?

[Peter Jones]

Are you able to describe the removal and re-insertion process (rather than just "use a big hammer"?

That's pretty much it really.

To remove



Note the slit he's made in the steel outer part of the bush to relieve the pressure so it can be knocked out.

Installation is the reverse without the cutting

Pete

[h100vw]

The bush actually twisted out and the blade just cuts the remaining sleeve. I used a small chisel to finish it off.

Good skills with the editing Pete! Much better than I could do.

Gavin

[Manaz]

Cool. I'm doing this myself soon, I'm trying to work out what tools I need, and what processes/tricks I can use to get things back together.

Thus far, I've figured out I need a torque wrench, metric socket set (checking what my father-in-law has, otherwise going to grab a Kincrome one), a spreader tool (coming from ECS), triple-square tool (also coming from ECS), a set of metric allen keys.

Not sure yet how I'm going to get the strut tops out. I don't have access to a high-offset 22mm ring spanner. I've been considering ordering a specialised tool from the US. I'm going to make any of the specialised tools I get from the US available to any other members of VWWC in Sydney once I'm done with them (as long as they come back, I'm happy to lend them out!).

[h100vw]

Get a cheap 22mm socket and have someone weld a bar on it. Then you can hold the strut with an allen key and undo the nut.

TBH you should buy a set of allen sockets. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog This is what I have and a few longer ones too.

Gavin

[Manaz]

Ah great, cheers. I know just the person to do that for me too...

I might just see if I can grab a long one to suit the size I need for the strut tops. I'm going to try keep the number of items I buy to just the sizes I need for the time being (other than the basic metric socket set).

[h100vw]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/allen-hex-key...em270386340724

I have a big kit like this too, it has long and short allen keys, torx and spline.

Gavin

[Manaz]

Ah, nice. Cheers!

I've worked with computers for years - I know my way around the insides of a PC backwards, and can just about break down and rebuild a PC in my sleep with one hand tied behind my back. I know exactly what tools are needed where in a PC. Working on cars is a bit newer to me, but I want to be able to do it and do it well - and I know good tools are a good start!