Suspension bushes what to replace?

vrbob

vrbob

Thats no Moon, Thats a space station!
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Just after a bit of info before i start shopping about really,

Have just replaced my OEM suspension with some AP shock and springs and i think i am now going to replace a few of the bushes on the car but i am a little unsure of what to replace as i dont really know that much about suspension etc.

So can anyone point me in the right direction please of what should be done front and rear? so far as far as i can see i would need front wishbone bushes and rear beam bushes but are there any others?

Also should i maybe think of doing the rear R32 ARB at the same time?

Cheers in advance
 
Any others and should i go poly or stay OEM?
 
Done the dog bone mount already.

So going to start my shopping list today so can anybody give me an idiots guide to what exactly the bits are called that i need to be looking for (direct links to any websites will help) so i can start working out what its going to cost etc.

So far i know there are some rear beam bushes and some wishbone bushes but not really sure what either of these are.
 
Look this item number up on eBay, it's a complete kit. And all bushes are numbered then listed so your get good image of what bush is what.

Sorry cant link it as on tapatalk
 
i was going to have a search about this, but that ebay link cleared that up.

cheers.
 
S3featesV9 said:
Look this item number up on eBay, it's a complete kit. And all bushes are numbered then listed so your get good image of what bush is what.

Sorry cant link it as on tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thats really useful thanks :)

Will take the bits i need from there and make up a custom list as have already done a few and am thinking of doing a R32 ARB upgrade too so wouldnt need the whole kit.

From your help i also then found this >Powerflex< on the powerflex website (this page is the S3 specific page as the A3 has a seperate page) which breaks it down to part numbers and prices too
 
Last edited:
Think i have decided to get the poly bush kit and also do the R32 rear arb aupgrade at the same time.

So just a couple of questions :

1) as my car is a 2002 BAM facelift car i am assuming its got the larger 45mm front wishbone bushes but is there anyway of knowing without getting under the car?

2) is the R32 arb 19mm? as i need to oreder the right size bushes to go with this. Also do i just need to get the actual bar from VW or will i need bigger clamps for the bushes?

3) are any of the bush replacements a reasonably easy DIY job? as i would like to save a bit of cash if poss and do any i can myself and let my local indy garage do the difficult ones that require specific tools etc.

cheers in advance
 
front arb bushes and dog done are easy enough to do. front bushes took me an hour, dog bone 45 mins. havent attempted any others yet so cant help any further on this.

i have done the rear arb though and thats simple. drop exhaust and heat shield...and there it is. you wont need bigger collars, just get urself some 19mm poly bushes - VW Golf R32 4WD 9/1999-2004 Superpro Rear ARB to Chassis Mount SPF2592-19K | eBay

if you doing rear arb you might as well change the drop links for new ones whilst your there. unless they dont really need doing
 
i did a full write up what parts you need for the R32 arb's ! as for front wishbone bushes i have a full set of powerflex for sale if anyone is interested this is for the later models with the large bush. This would suit 2002. pm me for further details.
 
r32 front antiroll bar part no 1J0411305AF (23mm), rear is 1J0511409K (19mm), both are around £80 plus vat, i used powerflex bushes, PFF350323 and PFF351119, as said the rear is easy but the front you will have to drop the subframe which is a pain if you dont have a ramp, when you undo the neer side antiroll bar mount there is a clip for a power steering hose that is attached, its hard to see but will have to be removed to get the mount off.
 
Cheers for the info chaps.

Have already done the dog bone mount so dont have to do that one.

Cool am just doing the rear ARB so may well attempt that on my own then if its easy enough.

I am going to get the complete Powerflex bush kit as it works out alot cheaper than buying seperatly and just sell on what i dont use ( eg the dog bone as have already changed that).

So only question remaing before i place my ordee is do i have the 45mm front wishbone bushes or the 30mm ones?? i am erring towards 45mm as this is supposedly a later car thing and my car is a 2002.
 
my is a 2002 it has 45mm so yours will be, you can visually check its quite obvious
 
Cheers mattyboy

45mm will give it a quick check before placing my order just to be sure.
 
mattyboy199 said:
i have a set if you want em !
Click to expand...

Saw that in the other thread and i would if i didnt need to buy the other bushes too but it works out much cheaper to buy them as part of the full kit than seperatly. Plus its the rears i really need so am only doing the fronts as a a side job. Cheers anyway
 
let us know when you get them on in regards to comfort and ride, im getting new dampers this week so considering poly bushing.
 
Damn these cars confuse me!!!

i want to place my order for the full poly bush kit but am getting confused with ARB`s as there is just to much info when you use the search button :(

So i need to work this out as i will need to order the right size arb bushes for what i am going to do.

So the options are as i am on a bit of a tight budget :

Stick with the oem ARB`s and just poly bush them (cheapest option)

Upgrade the rear ARB to a 19mm R32 bar and stay OEM at the front (cost of R32 bar is about £100)

Upgrade both front and rear to R32 stuff so 23mm front and 19mm rear (about £160 for both bars)

So as i just want a nice car but nothing OTT which is best for me and my wallet?
 
so weird i was just looking at this thread trying to price up poly bushes for my car...

if your on a budget mate id just rebush the standard arb, there probably shot... they usually are. Id aim to get everything done that can affect geometery, get it tracked. then you can do the arbs down the line without messing up the tracking.

Im pricing it up, and looking at 200+ for the bushes alone... :sadlike: bought loads of stuff lately so going to get it in the air and just replace bushes that look knackered.
 
If you're on a budget, why not go Lemforder bushes all round?
 
I know just what you mean as i only just spent £400 doing shocks and springs lol!

Budget is kinda tight but i dont mind spending if it means a proper improvement over standard. when my shocks and springs were replaced my wishbone bushes are pretty worn sothis is why i am at this point...

The full powerflex s3 bush kit is about £260 inc P+P on ebay which is well over £300 if bought seperatly so this is what i am gonna go for. As you can specify what size bushes you need you can factor in if you want to do the ARB upgrade at the same time.

So if i am gonna replace the ARB bushes anyway i am kinda thinking i should do the ARB upgrade but just trying to justify the extra £160 it would cost for the parts.

Still undecided as to what to do as i dont need a track car just something nice on the road.
 
a3tdi2001 said:
If you're on a budget, why not go Lemforder bushes all round?
Click to expand...

They are pretty much same as oem bushes?

Yeah iv paid out for some bilsteins, also got a downpipe, sports cat and manifold on the way... So that's the car budget blown for a while...

I'm fairly happy how mine handles, it's always been well composed in corners, just want to try and eliminate the crashy ride caused by having lowering springs on standard shocks. So I'm not bothering with the arbs, just rebush the standards, check and replace if required the front wishbone bushes, lower ball joint and steering ball joint... That should see me happy
 
nice set of goodies for your car there! and a few things that are on my list to do if and when i can afford eg downpipe.

I think i feel the same way about my cars ride as never really noticed too much under steer which is what most people say the ARB upgrade cures.

The AP shocks and springs i fitted have improved the handling when cornering i just need to tighten it up with fresh bushes and i feel that the polybushes are defo worth doing over the OEM ones for the money.

It think for the reason of saving some money i will go with just updating all the poly bushes then and stick with the OEM ARB`s as it gonna cost to get the wishbone bushes fitted as i dont think its a DIY job i can do myself.

Cheers for your input mate as i get myself very confused when it comes to upgrades on these cars as dont want to spend out if i dont have to.

Oh and if your interested here is a link i just found on ebay for the complete setup of Powerflex for the S3 for £250 inc P+P POWERFLEX FULL SUSPENSION BUSH KIT AUDI S3 MK1 8L QUATTRO 4WD 96-03 | eBay
 
Will do its gonna be my next project lol
 
sportstractor said:
They are pretty much same as oem bushes?

Yeah iv paid out for some bilsteins, also got a downpipe, sports cat and manifold on the way... So that's the car budget blown for a while...

I'm fairly happy how mine handles, it's always been well composed in corners, just want to try and eliminate the crashy ride caused by having lowering springs on standard shocks. So I'm not bothering with the arbs, just rebush the standards, check and replace if required the front wishbone bushes, lower ball joint and steering ball joint... That should see me happy
Click to expand...

Lemforder are the same right down to the scuff mark where they remove the Audi logo before they are put in the box. They make the bushes for VAG. Some people find poly bushes too firm for the road, others don't.
 
one point to note is that the front anti roll bar plastic rings may be shot so you may need a new bar, and it will be the same cost for a standard one or the r32 and if you get the bushes 1st then you will either have to change the bar and / or bushes, so you should check the state of the bar 1st
 
just ordered my full poly bush kit so will wait for them to show up and then see what i can do myself.
 
Keen to hear feedback on this. My wishbone bushes also need doing (probably along with others...)
 
According to the listing it takes about a week for the kit to arrive so once it does i will work out whats what and see what i can do myself and what i think my well need to be done by my local indy garage.

Am hoping it will rejuvenate the ride a bit and still be comfy will wait and see
 
This little lot showed up today :

S38LPowerflexkit1.jpg


So next job is to get it fitted and see what its like as have stuck with the OEM ARB setup and am just replacing the bushes.
 
Well keen to get this done on mine but I think it's going to happen as part of the GT28 install with a load of other bits (all at the same time). My wishbone bushes are loose as a goose at the moment :(
 
Not had a chance to get them fitted yet but once i do i will report back
 
Bump!

Any news?

Interested to hear how you go with these, just brought a A3 and getting a massive thump when the rear goes over potholes or bumps.

Does anyone know how when fitting these how they compare with OEM/rubber?
Not looking for more sporty/firmer ride, but would prefer to do it myself and save some dosh so simpler is better :D
 
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