Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

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vannieks1
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Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by vannieks1 »

So time has come (30 000km's) of which 10 000km's I have had a lowered car and my lower control arm bushes are going.

TWT said the front left needs replacing soon but will rather replace both sides as well as the top shock mounts with solid ones.

I bought febi parts as MeanTDI uses them and has liked them so far from what I can see. I know the ride will be hard but it's a fraction of what VW wanted for the standard bushes that always fail (febi :180 VW: 350 for both lower bushes).

Now Supa Quick wants R950 including alignment to fit. VW wanted 2k to fit and that's a massive price.

I cannot fit them myself as a tool is needed to get the bushes in without breaking them.

1. Are febi parts good and will they last with my current setup. ( I can return these to Goldwagen if needed).
2. What price can I expect to pay for fitment and where.

Thanks

Steve
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by vannieks1 »

http://www.vwclub.co.za/phpbb3/viewtopi ... es&start=0

DIY: http://www.vwclub.co.za/phpbb3/viewtopi ... arm+bushes

Will do some more research and see if I can do it with the help of the CT guys. Drinks on me afterwards.
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by vannieks1 »

Mean TDI: "Mine went at +60 000klms.

Replaced them with the poly ones from Gold Wagen @ R180 for both. R600 to replace."

So my Coil - overs are really making all the suspension parts work nicely. :lol:

Would replacing the upper shock mounts at the same time with solid ones make a difference to handling?

Mean TDI, do your bushes squeak or do you just grease them often?
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by MeanTdi »

vannieks1 wrote:Mean TDI: "Mine went at +60 000klms.

Replaced them with the poly ones from Gold Wagen @ R180 for both. R600 to replace."

Mean TDI, do your bushes squeak or do you just grease them often?
Hi Steve

They do not squeak at all and I have never greased them since they were fitted. They did come pre-greased in a sealed pack from GW.

I used the better quality black ones from GW in Edenvale - I have heard stories that not all parts are the same, so just make sure.

Cheers Marco.

p.s. You luck I saw this - also PM me next time. :wink:
Marco


Current: Subaru WRX
Ex: VW Polo 1.9 TDI Sportline
Ex: VW Golf VR6
Ex: VW Golf 1.8 GTi 16v


ALFAHOLIC wrote:What can go wrong, jarre you guys sound like you are describing an Alfa here...
My Corsa OPC wrote:Its not an oil leak, its just an Opel marking its territory :lol:
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by MeTsU »

Steve,

I would recommend replacing the axial grooved ball bearings, as I did. Ensures all is up to scratch and working well. See below:

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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by vannieks1 »

MeTsU wrote:Steve,

I would recommend replacing the axial grooved ball bearings, as I did. Ensures all is up to scratch and working well. See below:

Image
Haha, I have no clue what these are.

Will do some research.
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by vannieks1 »

Another question. Apparently we have upper bushes. Would it be advisable to replace these at the same time?
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by MeTsU »

vannieks1 wrote:Haha, I have no clue what these are.

Will do some research.
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by VGTI »

vannieks1, a few points from my side...

It is realy not that difficult to do yourself, places like dealerships, autoquip and supaquick take out the whole subframe and control arm. That takes time and add to the labour cost. I stood by while autoquip removed mine.

But then when my mom's polo needed new bushes, my dad said lets do it ourselves. Took us and hour for the righthand side and 20 minutes for the left...

You already linked my diy guide if you need more pointers pm me your email addy and I will send you an even easier way to do it!

Get the bushes from a Seat Altea it is about 80% solid so where the standard Polo bushes have two webs in the vertical position, this one has two open slats in the vertical position. The rest is solid. Very solid but still comfortable.
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by VGTI »

MeTsU wrote:
vannieks1 wrote:Haha, I have no clue what these are.

Will do some research.
Image
Metsu, don't you want to post the picture for the lower control arms and subframes? I want to post a full easy DIY in the FAQ section for the guys to replace the bushes themselves!
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by VGTI »

Ok I wanted to create a topic in the FAQ area but it seems I don't qualify, so here goes...

Image

1. First of all excuse my picture as it is just to give you an idea
2. Jack the car up and support with a trestle
3. Remove three small bolts on the hub side of the control arm
4. Remove bolt A (arrow shows normal direction that it goes in)
5. Jump in your second car and go to Builders warehouse and buy two eye bolts (B and C) about 10 cm long (you can cut them if you need to). I would love to tell what size they are so you can get them before you start but I am not sure and will try and find out exactly what size it is. Also buy a washer the size of the bush (rear side) that will fit over the bolt. And a 40mm (+-) nut that will fit on the bolt. Get the same thread size as bolt A. I think it is M10
6. Remove lower control arm from the bush… use some human powa but it should come out with a bit of effort
7. Screw in the first eyebolt (B) as in the picture into the sub frame. Now you have something to pull on
8. Modify the second eyebolt so that it looks like C
9. Put it through the bush then the washer and then the 40mm nut and hook it onto B.
10. Voila you have a puller system that will take the bush out. Fasten the 40mm nut until the bush is out.

Image

11. Now to put the new bush back in…
12. Leave eyebolt B where it is
13. Lubricate the bush with a little soapy water (sunlight liquid should do) and put it in place. Take a wooden block and hammer it in, softly (slow and careful, do not damage the bush)
14. Now take bolt A and put you 40mm nut onto it (you can buy a similar 8mm nut too for this)
15. Then put the washer after the nut and slide the bolt into the bush
16. Bolt A must push against the eye bolt. Turn the nut so that it will push the bush into its place
17. When the bush is in place it is time to put the control arm back in, you will need someone with a block of wood and a hammer to help here
18. Hold the arm in place and let the arra ou donner it in
19. Put bolt A back in
20. Re attach the Hub (three bolts)
21. Voila

Disclaimer: The lengths of the bolts are thumb suck so you can buy longer and cut them to the length you need. Use these at your own risk!

Hope it makes sense guys!
'04 Polo TDI 1661.9 km on 58.05l
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by MeanTdi »

VGTI wrote:Ok I wanted to create a topic in the FAQ area but it seems I don't qualify, so here goes...
*snip*
Hope it makes sense guys!
Neither do I! :eek:

Thanks, I posted a DIY for you in Technical. :wink:
Marco


Current: Subaru WRX
Ex: VW Polo 1.9 TDI Sportline
Ex: VW Golf VR6
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ALFAHOLIC wrote:What can go wrong, jarre you guys sound like you are describing an Alfa here...
My Corsa OPC wrote:Its not an oil leak, its just an Opel marking its territory :lol:
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by dood786 »

I've got the power :evil:

Moved diy thread over
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by bennit »

how do u tell when they are gone, the bushes?
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by dood786 »

bennit wrote:how do u tell when they are gone, the bushes?
Just ask them nicely
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by MeanTdi »

dood786 wrote:I've got the power :evil:

Moved diy thread over
Thanks Dood :hi:
bennit wrote:how do u tell when they are gone, the bushes?
There is a knocking sound when you go over bumps. Car does not feel stable. This is when they are really shot. To see early signs look under the car from behind the front wheel towards the front. The look at the webs in between for cracks in the rubber.
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ALFAHOLIC wrote:What can go wrong, jarre you guys sound like you are describing an Alfa here...
My Corsa OPC wrote:Its not an oil leak, its just an Opel marking its territory :lol:
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by Neuk »

Mmmm - I went with the latest Powerflex LCA bush kit from Koni, who fitted it for me along with new top shock mounts and ARB links, and together with the SuperPro rear dogbone engine mount, I am a happy chappy :grin: Just need to sort out my rubbing issues up front, lower the rear more and the suspension is pretty much there...
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by quppy5 »

Why am I not seeing any images ?
sorry I am new here
VGTI wrote:Ok I wanted to create a topic in the FAQ area but it seems I don't qualify, so here goes...

Image

1. First of all excuse my picture as it is just to give you an idea
2. Jack the car up and support with a trestle
3. Remove three small bolts on the hub side of the control arm
4. Remove bolt A (arrow shows normal direction that it goes in)
5. Jump in your second car and go to Builders warehouse and buy two eye bolts (B and C) about 10 cm long (you can cut them if you need to). I would love to tell what size they are so you can get them before you start but I am not sure and will try and find out exactly what size it is. Also buy a washer the size of the bush (rear side) that will fit over the bolt. And a 40mm (+-) nut that will fit on the bolt. Get the same thread size as bolt A. I think it is M10
6. Remove lower control arm from the bush… use some human powa but it should come out with a bit of effort
7. Screw in the first eyebolt (B) as in the picture into the sub frame. Now you have something to pull on
8. Modify the second eyebolt so that it looks like C
9. Put it through the bush then the washer and then the 40mm nut and hook it onto B.
10. Voila you have a puller system that will take the bush out. Fasten the 40mm nut until the bush is out.

Image

11. Now to put the new bush back in…
12. Leave eyebolt B where it is
13. Lubricate the bush with a little soapy water (sunlight liquid should do) and put it in place. Take a wooden block and hammer it in, softly (slow and careful, do not damage the bush)
14. Now take bolt A and put you 40mm nut onto it (you can buy a similar 8mm nut too for this)
15. Then put the washer after the nut and slide the bolt into the bush
16. Bolt A must push against the eye bolt. Turn the nut so that it will push the bush into its place
17. When the bush is in place it is time to put the control arm back in, you will need someone with a block of wood and a hammer to help here
18. Hold the arm in place and let the arra ou donner it in
19. Put bolt A back in
20. Re attach the Hub (three bolts)
21. Voila

Disclaimer: The lengths of the bolts are thumb suck so you can buy longer and cut them to the length you need. Use these at your own risk!

Hope it makes sense guys!
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by Neuk »

quppy5 wrote:Why am I not seeing any images ?
sorry I am new here
VGTI wrote:Ok I wanted to create a topic in the FAQ area but it seems I don't qualify, so here goes...

Image

1. First of all excuse my picture as it is just to give you an idea
2. Jack the car up and support with a trestle
3. Remove three small bolts on the hub side of the control arm
4. Remove bolt A (arrow shows normal direction that it goes in)
5. Jump in your second car and go to Builders warehouse and buy two eye bolts (B and C) about 10 cm long (you can cut them if you need to). I would love to tell what size they are so you can get them before you start but I am not sure and will try and find out exactly what size it is. Also buy a washer the size of the bush (rear side) that will fit over the bolt. And a 40mm (+-) nut that will fit on the bolt. Get the same thread size as bolt A. I think it is M10
6. Remove lower control arm from the bush… use some human powa but it should come out with a bit of effort
7. Screw in the first eyebolt (B) as in the picture into the sub frame. Now you have something to pull on
8. Modify the second eyebolt so that it looks like C
9. Put it through the bush then the washer and then the 40mm nut and hook it onto B.
10. Voila you have a puller system that will take the bush out. Fasten the 40mm nut until the bush is out.

Image

11. Now to put the new bush back in…
12. Leave eyebolt B where it is
13. Lubricate the bush with a little soapy water (sunlight liquid should do) and put it in place. Take a wooden block and hammer it in, softly (slow and careful, do not damage the bush)
14. Now take bolt A and put you 40mm nut onto it (you can buy a similar 8mm nut too for this)
15. Then put the washer after the nut and slide the bolt into the bush
16. Bolt A must push against the eye bolt. Turn the nut so that it will push the bush into its place
17. When the bush is in place it is time to put the control arm back in, you will need someone with a block of wood and a hammer to help here
18. Hold the arm in place and let the arra ou donner it in
19. Put bolt A back in
20. Re attach the Hub (three bolts)
21. Voila

Disclaimer: The lengths of the bolts are thumb suck so you can buy longer and cut them to the length you need. Use these at your own risk!

Hope it makes sense guys!
You can thank Photofuckit.
Current Garage:
Daily Drive: 2014 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
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Project FeO: 1966 VW Type 2 Transporter Kombi Split Window

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Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
Vagon: 2005 Audi B6 A4 1.8T (140kw) Avant
Project XXXX: 1967 VW Type 3 Variant (Squareback)
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by panic-mechanic »

send the original poster $399 so he can update his photofhuckit account.
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by ICE King »

Forum at the mercy of photo bucket ,

@admin.......Why not allow uploads to hosted server where website resides? makes more sense and yes I understand it will be more resourceful but still better than making this beautiful forum/database redundant in future.
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by Neuk »

ICE King wrote:Forum at the mercy of photo bucket ,

@admin.......Why not allow uploads to hosted server where website resides? makes more sense and yes I understand it will be more resourceful but still better than making this beautiful forum/database redundant in future.
I wouldn't recommend that at all, besides the cost implications for the VWCSA it is not a great idea to host photo's on each and every forum individually when there are many options to do it in a single location that can be shared multiple times.
Current Garage:
Daily Drive: 2014 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
Project Fes: 1982 VW Golf GLS 1.5
Project FeO: 1966 VW Type 2 Transporter Kombi Split Window

Previous Garage:
Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
Vagon: 2005 Audi B6 A4 1.8T (140kw) Avant
Project XXXX: 1967 VW Type 3 Variant (Squareback)
Project Betty: 2005 Polo 1.9 TDI (PD130) Sportline
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by ICE King »

Neuk wrote:
ICE King wrote:Forum at the mercy of photo bucket ,

@admin.......Why not allow uploads to hosted server where website resides? makes more sense and yes I understand it will be more resourceful but still better than making this beautiful forum/database redundant in future.
I wouldn't recommend that at all, besides the cost implications for the VWCSA it is not a great idea to host photo's on each and every forum individually when there are many options to do it in a single location that can be shared multiple times.
Fully understand , Forum toke a knock when Photo Bucket went paid for , It was a good medium knowing one had this info at hand with pictures for reference.

Suppose it is what it is
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Re: Lower control arm bushes - polo 9n3.

Post by panic-mechanic »

Huge cost implication for the club. We did that once and in no time we were using HUGE traffic and data. Just not worth it.
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'09 Touareg 3l TDI
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