Creaking anti roll bar on 03 vrs

[s3elan]

My vrs estate has been suffering from a creaking anti roll bar for some time. As a temporary measure squirt a little oil on the bushes and the noise disappears. The problem is caused by the poorly designed bush arrangement. The anti roll bar is the same as that used by a 4wheel drive Golf. There are plastic sleaves around the bar under the rubber clamp bushes. These plastic sleaves allow rust to form between the bar and the sleave hence the creaking and knocking noises. This can in exceptional circumstances lead to the bar breaking. I have now purchased a new redesigned bar (£54 +vat).
To fit it is necessary to drop the subframe a little which involves disconnecting the lower ball joints from the wishbones. I notice that there are 2 dowel holes in each lower wishbone either side of the 3 ball joint fixing bolts. Are these used the realign the camber angle or is it necessary to take the car in to an expert for a full steering realignment after completing the job. Pease can someone advise me.

[MisterGT]

May be best to post this in either the 'Octavia' or 'Ask a tech' forum'

[greyghost]

Originally Posted by s3elan

My vrs estate has been suffering from a creaking anti roll bar for some time. As a temporary measure squirt a little oil on the bushes and the noise disappears. The problem is caused by the poorly designed bush arrangement. The anti roll bar is the same as that used by a 4wheel drive Golf. There are plastic sleaves around the bar under the rubber clamp bushes. These plastic sleaves allow rust to form between the bar and the sleave hence the creaking and knocking noises. This can in exceptional circumstances lead to the bar breaking. I have now purchased a new redesigned bar (£54 +vat).
To fit it is necessary to drop the subframe a little which involves disconnecting the lower ball joints from the wishbones. I notice that there are 2 dowel holes in each lower wishbone either side of the 3 ball joint fixing bolts. Are these used the realign the camber angle or is it necessary to take the car in to an expert for a full steering realignment after completing the job. Pease can someone advise me.

you could be my saviour, i may have the same problem on an 04, dealer advised of a small hairline crack but said it was of no immediate concern and would review at next service....that's march 09!