Wishbone bushes

Ash187

Ash187

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Hi guys,
so while i was at my garage and we were under the car inspecting the engine mount issue i have been having, we also noticed that my wishbone bushes also need replacing as they have small cracks in them.

now i have been told that the bushes for the wishbones cant be bought separately and so i would need to replace the whole wishbone, but the wishbones on my car are actually in good condition and i dont really want to be spending more than i have to if its just the bushes that need to go.

i found these on the powerflex website when i was looking for the lower engine mount insert and was wondering if anyone here has any experience with them and if i should get them as replacements?

its no 1 and no 2 in the below diagram

resize_image.php
 
powerflex ones are stiffer/harder than oems. if you want comfortable ones it will be better to buy oem.
as for the no 1 and 2 it may not effect the comfort but i am not sure.
 
yh the powerflex ones are stiffer but audi dont sell those bushes on their own... and i was thinking the same thing... i dont know if comfort is a factor with those bushes
 
Whiteline do all the wishbone bushes in poly as well as the Anti-Lift Kit.

Not had any experience with them yet, but am think of changing the front ones along with an Anti-Lift Kit.
 
ok so im really bad when it comes to mechanics but i am learning.

can anyone tell me what exactly the wishbone bushes do? i mean do they affect comfort or performance or handling? whats the benefit of them being stiffer?

i'm now just thinking if its worth getting the powerflex bushes or if i should just buy OEM?
 
Not sure what Euro Car Parts are like for bushes, but they have got 25% off at the moment.

Use code: WINTER25 or NOVCP25

Just ordered some wipers :)
 
if you are going to buy powerflex buy no 1 and 2 and both left and right total 4 bushes. if you buy oem you can replace only the needed.

these rubber(oem) bushes are absorbing vibrations in the suspension elements thus enabling a smoot comfortable ride.
if you are after very crisp suspension movements you have to eliminate all the rubbers in your suspension. by doing this you can prevent unwanted movements of suspension elements (like in tracking or in motorsports) but as a result of this you begin to feel every small vibrations and loose comfort.

if you replace only these 4 bushings with poerflex or any poly bushes i dont think it will spoil your comfort but again i am not 100% sure.
 
S38P said:
if you are going to buy powerflex buy no 1 and 2 and both left and right total 4 bushes. if you buy oem you can replace only the needed.

these rubber(oem) bushes are absorbing vibrations in the suspension elements thus enabling a smoot comfortable ride.
if you are after very crisp suspension movements you have to eliminate all the rubbers in your suspension. by doing this you can prevent unwanted movements of suspension elements (like in tracking or in motorsports) but as a result of this you begin to feel every small vibrations and loose comfort.

if you replace only these 4 bushings with poerflex or any poly bushes i dont think it will spoil your comfort but again i am not 100% sure.
Click to expand...

thanks for that, it kind of makes sense to me now.

i need to replace at least 3 of the 4 so i dont mind getting all 4 done at the same time. i understand now what you mean when you say you are not sure on how it will effect the comfort as those bushes are horizontally positioned, not vertically so not directly affecting the vertical movement and comfort factor. i think they affect the handling more than comfort based on where they are placed but i am going to see my mechanic friend (and tutor) after work so il ask him to break it down for me.

EuroCar parts have some good prices so i might just get the oem ones from there as i could probably get all 4 bushes for the price of the rear 2 powerflex ones. again my mechanic mentor has an account with them so i will speak to him about getting a price for me on those.
 
According to my trusty Haynes manual it says it's a 3 spanner job (Fairly difficult suitable for competent DIY mechanic), it then goes onto to say the bushes will need pressing out by means of a hydraulic press 'which any suitably-equipped garage or Audi dealer should have access to'.
 
audi upgrades
yh thats what i have heard from most garages, that its difficult to get the bushes in and out... but none so far has said they cannot do it
 
yup, hydraulic press would be useful. Maybe its time to update to ttrs/s3 alloy arms with adjustable camber lol
 
i thought about it but as its a diesel with currently standard suspension, alloys and no plans of making it a track car i didnt see the point in doing any of that.
just want to make sure the car is healthy before anything breaks and something major happens
 
Well worth fitting Lemforder bushes as they are the original equipment part, right down to having the Audi logo ground off after manufacture, for a fraction of the dealer's prices.
 
audi upgrades
Allgermanparts will source them for you if they don't have them in stock. Really friendly service. Avoid aftermarket ones, not worth the hassle.
 
Ash - what did you do about this in the end? Mine needs a couple of lower rear wishbone ("console") bushes too.
 
lol i haven't done anything as yet, kinda got involved with other bits and forgot about this.

good reminder though... i might just go for the lemforder ones and get a local indy to fit it in. its that or replace the whole wishbone which will cost more in parts and labour.
 
Russell Automotive in NW London, I've just been there. They can change the 'console' which houses the rear bushes for about £160 supply and fitted. Or they can re-use your console and fit updated bushes in it.

They can also replace the front wishbone bushes too.
 
itwasntme187 said:
Ads can you find out how much they would charge just to change over the bushes if i supplied them?
thanks
Click to expand...

I won't be speaking to them for a couple of weeks now mate. Google them and you'll get their number. But if you're not in a rush then I can ask when i'm down there next.
 
By the way, are you sure you can't buy OEM front bushes (no. 1 in your diagram) without the wishbone?
In ETKA it lists this bush with its own part number (1K0 407 182 - costs about £12 for two).


resize_image.php
 
**Bump**

Did anyone go for the powerflex bushes? I'm looking to poly bush my new A3 but unsure if it's going to ruin the ride. As it's a diesel there is no point in going for massive handling improvements, but as far as I'm aware the poly bushes arn't that bad and don't make it incredibly uncomfortable. I have S-Line suspension so it is a little stiffer than standard, I just think poly bush will give it a bit more of a planted feeling.
 
I didnt go for the bushes in the end, just ended up buying wishbones for more than half the price from a garage that was stripping down a fairly new wrecked A3
 
Thanks for letting me know ash. I'm going to poly bush:eyebrows: I'll get back everyone how it feels
 
i fitted Powerflex bushes to my Ibiza FR, Pig of a job to do!!!! If your going to do it make sure you have a press and be certain to get your traking done after! I did notice the rusults though, the stearing was a little mor eresponsive and the ride was a little more firm but nothing that will worry you!! But that was on the Seat!
 
Jay.Ing said:
i fitted Powerflex bushes to my Ibiza FR, Pig of a job to do!!!! If your going to do it make sure you have a press and be certain to get your traking done after! I did notice the rusults though, the stearing was a little mor eresponsive and the ride was a little more firm but nothing that will worry you!! But that was on the Seat!
Click to expand...

I'll be doing the work in a garage so will have access to ramps and a press along with any other tools of persuasion I might need! Tracking will be done at the same time anyway but thanks for the advice. Glad it didn't ruin the ride in the Seat. I think I'll leave the engine mounts for now but mainly because I like my dash not vibrating at the lights...
 
Ads_AudiA3 said:
I'll be doing the work in a garage so will have access to ramps and a press along with any other tools of persuasion I might need! Tracking will be done at the same time anyway but thanks for the advice. Glad it didn't ruin the ride in the Seat. I think I'll leave the engine mounts for now but mainly because I like my dash not vibrating at the lights...
Click to expand...

Have you fitted your new bushes yet and if so how has it affected the ride?

thanks
 
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