S3 Front ARB Bushes, expensive to replace?

[Painey]

As the title says, I need to replace my front ARB bushes as they're cracked and making an annoying creaking noise, but are they particularly expensive to fix? I've searched around on the net, phoned people up etc and so far I'm getting differing opinion so hence the post.

I'm aware that if I replace the whole thing I'm looking at a fair bit of work with dropping the subframe and then needing a 4 wheel alignment etc etc. Is there anyway in which the bushes can be replaced or do I have to get everything done? Apologies in advance if that's a stupid question and thanks for any help.

Cheers - Chris

 

[Speedy Steve]

im affraid to tell you its not that cheap as audi in there wonderful wisdom put a plastic sleeve over the ARB and its due to that you have to replace the hole arb so its either upgrade to R32 ones or another manufacture i went with the H&R ones and the handling has changed dramatically

 

[Matt82]

why does the arb have to be replaced again?

 

[Painey]

I'm personally unsure as to whether the whole ARB needs replacing, I kind of thought it was just the plastic casing/bush or whatever it is where it's actually attached?

Either way I've been told on one hand that I'll need a 4 wheel alignment being done afterwards, whilst my local Audi dealer doesn't think so and is consequently much cheaper.

 

[5teve L]

Remove old bushes (awkward no doubt) & refit new ones, always worked in the past with other cars I've done... Can't see Audi being different, maybe it was the powder coating or paint coming off, don't think they have plastic sleeves ???????

 

[Speedy Steve]

there is a plastic sleeve that they put on the arb to space out for the bushing i guess they had them that size from something else rather than making another. with out the sleeve the arb will float in the bush

 

[Dani_B19]

So is the same on all the VAG range?

 

[5teve L]

So what happens when you replace them with poly bushes ?

 

[Matt82]

sounds like a wind up tbh

 

[Painey]

sounds like a wind up tbh

It's definitely not a wind up. If you phoned up a so called Audi specialist and got told something completely different, and more expensive, than the dealer would you not be a tad confused?

 

[Matt82]

dont beleive everything these places tell you. theyve not told you a good reason for the arb to be replaced have they?

 

[Chlippo]

mmm..i got a set of R32 arb's...and i think i have to get new bushes before installing it.
I assume this is doeable since i dont see any plastic cover...just the bushes

Steve have you changed your R32 arb's bushes? with oem or aftermarket?

 

[rossbrownlee]

http://www.wak-tt.com/mods/arb/arb.htm

 

[5teve L]

Do they have to be the earlier ARB's or do the MK 5 ones fit anyone know ???

 

[5teve L]

Found this thread on the subject....

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?87599-Fitting-replacing-a-front-S3-ARB

 

[5teve L]

If anyone is interested in a cheap upgrade on the rear ARB without having to do the front I have just priced up the 4 motion 16mm rear arb.

Standard £ 40.51
Uprated £52.73
bushes £4.02 ea
brackets £4.42 ea

All plus VAT, so standard one works out just shy of £70 all in..

 

[S3BAM]

H&R's all round on mine..

 

[S3BAM]

If youre running uprated suspension then i would recomend uprated options over standard

 

[Painey]

Anyone got an idea of what H&R arb's front and rear plus replacement bushes all round might set me back incl. fitting? May just bite the bullet but getting the car inspected next Thursday to see what potentially needs being done.

 

[lloydsta101]

So is it possible to change just the front bushes without changing the ARB itself? I have Powerflex ARB Bushes waiting to be fitted, but after reading this it has made me unsure if this can be done without changing the ARB.

 

[5ean]

Sorry if anyone has said this already (not got time to read the entire post) but i just got my ARB bushes replaced, cost 11 quid for the 2 from Trade Part Services and fitted in about 10 minutes per corner..

 

[Lee H]

I've just had the front anti-roll bar, bushes and drop links replaced on my S3. I bought all the parts fully intending to do the work myself. But work constraints prevented me so I arranged an appointment with Euro Performance near Llantrisant, S Wales. 80 quid labour and 2 hours later, all sorted. The front end feels so solid now it's like driving a different car. I would recommend this garage to anybody nearby until the cows come home. My car was even spotlessly clean when I arrived to collect it. Top service and very nice people to deal with.