The Definative S3 8L Polybush Thread

ShaunS3

ShaunS3

Yorkshire & Humber Rep.
Regional Rep
VCDS Map User
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
1,173
Reaction score
203
Points
63
Location
West Yorkshire
Hi guys,

I have done a thread search and had a look through the sticky threads and I can't seem to find any definative info on Polybushing the S3 8L, so i'm here looking for help with a view to getting this thread to 'sticky thread' status in order to assist other members wanting to carry out this modification.

I have a facelift S3 8L (2002/51 MY) and i want to completely polybush the car but i am unsure of what to polybush and what not to polybush.

As far as i know, the gearbox dog bone mount already has a polybush fitted but the rest of the car is running on standard OEM rubber bushes that are showing their age.

Here are a few common FAQ's that i think will be the main questions being asked by members wanting to polybush their S3 8L:


Where can I buy polybush items for my car?

What grade should I go for (Road use)?

What grade should I go for (Track use)?

Who are the best recommended manufacturers to go for?

What areas can I polybush?

Where not to polybush?

Can I buy a complete kit or do I have to buy each polybush individually?


As i said above, i am looking to completely polybush my car and replace all the standard OEM rubber items. I would appreciate it if someone could provide me with enough in detail information in order for me to start sourcing the polybush kit.

Information i am looking for would be diagrams, links to suppliers websites, previous experience etc

In return, i will update this thread with progress pics and comments to make it more user friendly for other members wishing to polybush their car.

Thanks in advance.

Shaun.
 
powerflex are what im using and im bushing all but engine mounts. maybe someone has rosejoint for comparison???
 
Generally for road use you will have;
poly front wishbone bushes and arb bushes with a rubber (non voided) rear bush for the front wishbones.
Accompany this with a fully poly bushed rear set up.
Lcr top mounts and a red dogbone mount.

This will give a firmer, tighter ride without any crashing. This does depend on the suspension set up you are running of course though.

For a more track orientated set up I would say use a poly rear bush in the front wishbones, a yellow dogbone mount and poly/solid top mounts. If you are changing rear control arms then go rose jointed, if you have the money you an also change the front wishbones to rosé joints if you wish. You can also concider solid subframe mounts to reduce that extra bit of movement.

In terms of companies, power flex seems to be very popular and haves very good feel with minimal crashing. Another popular brand is super pro who are a little more expensive but I can't comment on quality I'm afraid. I used a 'race' set of bushings from a contact in Motorsport who in happy to put anyone in touch with :)


Hope this all makes sense and helps a few people out

tom
 
I used powerflex for all the bushes and got everything fitted from this diagram which I found very useful -

Powerflex
 
AudiA38L4WD-AudiS38L_zps5262cb32.jpg
 
I wouldn't use bush number 2 here as have found them to fail early (they squeeze out) and would use the TT solid bushes instead... no mention of front strut top mounts either... LCR top mounts are a harder rubber than std ones but there are poly versions available now I believe (I think Powerflex may make some now too)...

I have only done the front of my car (LCR tops, Powerflex bushes (position 1) and TT solid rubber bushes (in position 2)) and found it improved the feel no end but then coming from tired OE bushes anything will feel better...

Position 4 bushes are solid rubber as are position 5 bushes on S3's... a new set of bushes will always make the car feel tighter anyway... no experience of doing the rears as I have not got around to doing mine...

<tuffty/>
 
future said:
If you are changing rear control arms then go rose jointed, if you have the money you an also change the front wishbones to rosé joints if you wish.

Hope this all makes sense and helps a few people out

tom
Click to expand...

What is the difference between standard and Rosé joints? - Simplest English terms please :)
 
Number 4 in the diagram will bring your car back to life.....

Rose joint is a solid mechanical metal mount (wouldn't recommend to be fair) unless you hate your spine
 
s3dave said:
Number 4 in the diagram will bring your car back to life.....

Rose joint is a solid mechanical metal mount (wouldn't recommend to be fair) unless you hate your spine
Click to expand...

LOL Dave....Rosé joints crossed off the list haha

What setup do you have on yours?
 
s3dave said:
Number 4 in the diagram will bring your car back to life.....

Rose joint is a solid mechanical metal mount (wouldn't recommend to be fair) unless you hate your spine
Click to expand...

Have you run them Dave? It's weird, everyone who hasn't run them says them says they're horrid but everyone who has them says they're not that bad at all. I've got them on the rear and have no issues. There's obviously going be much more 'feel' which may be too much for some. A guy on vortex has run a fully rose jointed setup for 90k on his daily drive with no issues and seems to love the ride.

Are number 4 easy to fit?
 
Not A3 but on my MK4 golf I ran the Number 2 bushes aswell and these lasted very well, did 60-70k in them and just fitted them to my last A3 with failing bushes.

To be honest I can't say much for the change as I had masses of work done all in 1 day which totally transformed the car, eibach coilies, arb and poly bushed all round.

When my A3 bushes start wearing no doubt i'll use Powerflex again.
 
<tuffty/> said:
no mention of front strut top mounts... LCR top mounts are a harder rubber than std ones but there are poly versions available now I believe.

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...

So if the option was there of LCR vs Polybush top mounts, i take it the obvious answer would be Polybush?
 
  • Like
Reactions: rhubarb4
Good thread. I'll be poly bushing my rear end (of the S3...) in the spring when I fit my Bilstein B8s & adjustable tie bars. As Sam_ asked, any fitting advice for these bushes?
 
Here's my new and updated/edited version of the diagram - Hopefully, it should make it alot easier to see what you need.

PLEASE NOTE: These are road use bushes only - Race/Track have different part numbers.

View attachment 11697
 
I spoke with the Super Pro rep at the Autosport International show for almost an hour about their bushings. He explained to me every bush they had for the S3 and the benefits of them all. I felt great about their bushings when I left there. He also gave me a Super Pro show voucher for 10% off! I was only looking to do a couple of bushings but I liked this kit so much that I had to have it.

Audi A3 MkI S3 1999 > 2004 Front & Rear Suspension Bush Kit with Alignment Correction - KIT5240ADJK | SuperPro Europe Ltd.

It allows caster increase in the front and camber adjustment in the rear. I had a caster kit on my Pulsar and it made a huge difference on handling under braking! I have this kit but haven't fitted it yet. I will post up pics and results on here once I have.

The only other thing I am looking at getting is the dogbone bush and LCR uppers.

I also went buy the Power Flex booth ... nice people ... but not near as good as the experience at the Super Pro booth ... and no discount. :noway:
 
<tuffty/> said:
I wouldn't use bush number 2 here as have found them to fail early (they squeeze out) and would use the TT solid bushes instead... no mention of front strut top mounts either... LCR top mounts are a harder rubber than std ones but there are poly versions available now I believe (I think Powerflex may make some now too)...

I have only done the front of my car (LCR tops, Powerflex bushes (position 1) and TT solid rubber bushes (in position 2)) and found it improved the feel no end but then coming from tired OE bushes anything will feel better...

Position 4 bushes are solid rubber as are position 5 bushes on S3's... a new set of bushes will always make the car feel tighter anyway... no experience of doing the rears as I have not got around to doing mine...

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...

Hi tuffty, do you know the part number for front, rear TT solid rubber bushes?
 
Seriously considering doing this now, think I'm going TT rears as well rather than poly
 
I have a red front dog bone mount which made a good positive gear change. I am thinking of changing bushes number 5 on the rear tie arms, my rubbers look a little spilt and tired. Anyone else does these? Looks pretty easy, just unbolt then and knock the old ones out? Thanks for any advice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Mrharris2
A3 8l rear axle polybush
Replies
8
Views
1K
andy68
andy68
Bradderz_1988
Brad's S3 8L progress thread
Replies
8
Views
3K
IPG
IPG
xe dan
my 8l s3 project thread
Replies
22
Views
4K
xe dan
xe dan
Adam P
My S3 8L Progress Thread
Replies
188
Views
23K
<tuffty/>
<tuffty/>
S
Definative Optimax
Replies
5
Views
738
imported_UncleRogi
I
Top
Back