Hi Folks as title reads, As all other bushes and suspension parts have been replaced or upgraded the rear beam wishbone wishes are still on standard and i don't seem to have as positive handing at the rear end so me thinks time to replace

What is the best option:

Standard bushes

Superpro

Powerflex etc

LCR bush;

Don't think the TT bushes is the same for the rear so may not be a option on that

Also who has fitted these themselves, bear in mind i have done most of the jobs on my car i am happy to have a go within reason.

Does the rear beam need to come right off or just lowered down one side at a time.

Suggestions welcome

Edited 21 July, 201015 yr by Bowders1

I haven't got round to this yet, but I'm pretty sure you just drop the front of the H-beam down to access the bushes. I wouldn't like to say have hard it is to get the bush out of the beam though, I think you will need some kind of press/ threaded bar with cups to pull out the old and push in the new.

The old ones are supposed to be a bugger to get out. I think the Powerflex ones are in 2 halves so no pressing.

When my mate had his golf done the garage cut the old ones out with a Dremmel.

And they didn't take the beam right off, as VW suggests.

The LCR bushes are expensive, but I think that's what I'll go for, or standard bushes. I've heard lots of stories about the poly bushes making the ride super harsh.

The Skoda workshop manual indicates that you just remove the through bolts at either side, then place a wedge under the bush housing to hold it out and expose it. They then use a slide hammer to remove the old bush, and a special press tool to refit.

I would think that you could pikey up those two methods though. You could drill out the bush centre, then tap the sides in so you can remove the old ones. Then use a big g-clamp and two metal plates to drive the new ones in.

The poly versions don't need pressing in, which makes the job easy, but then theres little to stop the bushes turning in the housing. Not sure how that works out.

This is something I need to do soon too actually. The rear bushes have too much lateral movement, and the beam can bang into the mounting brackets when taking a slow tight and uphill corner.

Have a look at this mate: http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/222041.aspx?PageIndex=1

Me and a mate fitted some Superpro ones as i had a full kit for my car.

Took around 2 1/2 hours from start to finish and was pretty straight forward.

Remove wheels,support on axle stands etc.

You can get away with just clipping the brake lines that run near rear beam (they just unclip from support lugs).You will need to undo the main bolts and lower the beam down slightly until you start seeing any stress on the brake lines.

We removed the supporting chassis brackets (4 bolts per side) that the beam bolt to as this will give you move room to work with.Please note that it's best to mark where the bolts have been as the support brackets have a huge amount of adjustment.Takes a

The old bushes were drilled out and took and smacked with a hammer/chisel to remove (mine were the plastic ones).

Refit new bush and repeat and other side.

Rise beam up and jiggle to get beam to fit and re-fit everything.

IIRC You will need a special tool if fitting any type of original bush as they need rotating into the correct position.

HTH

Edited 22 July, 201015 yr by jaymd

The LCR bushes are expensive, but I think that's what I'll go for, or standard bushes. I've heard lots of stories about the poly bushes making the ride super harsh.

The Skoda workshop manual indicates that you just remove the through bolts at either side, then place a wedge under the bush housing to hold it out and expose it. They then use a slide hammer to remove the old bush, and a special press tool to refit.

I would think that you could pikey up those two methods though. You could drill out the bush centre, then tap the sides in so you can remove the old ones. Then use a big g-clamp and two metal plates to drive the new ones in.

The poly versions don't need pressing in, which makes the job easy, but then theres little to stop the bushes turning in the housing. Not sure how that works out.

This is something I need to do soon too actually. The rear bushes have too much lateral movement, and the beam can bang into the mounting brackets when taking a slow tight and uphill corner.

Have a look at this mate: http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/222041.aspx?PageIndex=1

Cheers for the comments folks.

After reading lots up on this, and there is quite a lot of info

I have ruled out Powerflex(previous experience not good on those) and also heard very harsh ride on rear beams.

Standard VRS bush as I want something firmer to compensate all the other suspension upgrades i have

Leon Cupra R ones as those are £80 quid. Also euro car parts and GSF do not stock a version for this bush 1ML 501 541. (so it would be main stealers)

So I have ordered from Euro car parts a Fabia VRS OEM bush part number 6Q0 501 541 E as these appear to be a alternative and a solid bush like the Cupra R's

I have read a few site's fitting these so hopefully thay may do the trick, and at 12 quid each these are not breaking the bank.

Anyone else heard of fitting the Fabia bush?

Well I will soon find out as I am going to start the job over the weekend on the driveway.

wish me luck

Edited 22 July, 201015 yr by Bowders1

keep us posted on how it goes! good luck

just giving this a wee bump so we don't forget to ask how it went !

I've had to get these bushes replaced twice before on one of my old mkiv's & recently on my wifes Bora. It can be a nightmare getting the old ones out. I can't imagine attempting it without the car being on a ramp. I watched my garage do it on the Bora a couple of months ago & it took at least 45 mins of a big hammer & a cold chisel to get one side out, but the other side came out in 5 mins. GSF sell the tool for putting the new ones in. I would of thought it's impossible to do without the tool.

I've had to get these bushes replaced twice before on one of my old mkiv's & recently on my wifes Bora. It can be a nightmare getting the old ones out. I can't imagine attempting it without the car being on a ramp. I watched my garage do it on the Bora a couple of months ago & it took at least 45 mins of a big hammer & a cold chisel to get one side out, but the other side came out in 5 mins. GSF sell the tool for putting the new ones in. I would of thought it's impossible to do without the tool.

I have done my front wishbones when i fitted Audi TT bushes myself, and not using any specialist tools other than having over and under size sockets and hack saw, a chisel and a big hammer, and bloody patience(which does run thin these days)

I will be drilling the old ones out then using a hack saw blade to cut the alloy outer bush retainer, then it is a case of pressing in the new ones. I have heard putting the new bushes in the freezer over night helps as it contracts the rubber slightly to ease fitting (worth a try)

Depending on how old your car is,the bushes may have a plastic outer sleeve that will snap/split and is easy to get them out.

I have done my front wishbones when i fitted Audi TT bushes myself, and not using any specialist tools other than having over and under size sockets and hack saw, a chisel and a big hammer, and bloody patience(which does run thin these days)

I will be drilling the old ones out then using a hack saw blade to cut the alloy outer bush retainer, then it is a case of pressing in the new ones. I have heard putting the new bushes in the freezer over night helps as it contracts the rubber slightly to ease fitting (worth a try)

Don't think the front wishbones are anything like as difficult to remove & replace as the rear beam bushes. I can't believe the bushes would shrink enough to fit by being cold. The garage I use hate doing this job & they have all the correct tools & ramps!

I take my hat off to you for attempting this, sure to be plenty of swearing

GSF sell the tool for putting the new ones in. I would of thought it's impossible to do without the tool.

I´d be interested in that tool. Might have to pop in next week and have a butchers...

Don't think the front wishbones are anything like as difficult to remove & replace as the rear beam bushes. I can't believe the bushes would shrink enough to fit by being cold. The garage I use hate doing this job & they have all the correct tools & ramps!

I take my hat off to you for attempting this, sure to be plenty of swearing

I am not expecting miracles with the cold thing but will see. I have never let any Job beat me so i may be in for a long day,

These are the bushes I will be fitting

As apposed to these ones that are standard fitment

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Octavia_1.8_2001/p/Car-Parts/Transmission/Transmission-Parts/Axle-Bushes/?623440115&1&d18522ca3d29406c15a0002608da66fe2c7369f4&AXLBt

I´d be interested in that tool. Might have to pop in next week and have a butchers...

That tool is either a sealey vw rear bush installer or a Laser vw rear bush installer.

Something like this set up.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Tools/Vehicle-Service/Hub-and-Suspension-Tools/Bush-Removal-Tools/?SEAVS722&t5_435

I am in GSF tomorrow so will get a price.

I don't think you would get much change from £80 in any motor factors and for a one time use i can't justify it unless a group of users pay a share.

I went to B&Q to get some large bolts nuts and washers (still need washers)

Cheers

Edited 23 July, 201015 yr by Bowders1

Pretty sure there's a how to on ukmkiv's.net. I've heard of people using 2 bits of MDF with holes for the bolt, & a couple of large washers to spread the load. It's vital to get the bushes to start to go in dead straight or it knackers em.

Pretty sure there's a how to on ukmkiv's.net. I've heard of people using 2 bits of MDF with holes for the bolt, & a couple of large washers to spread the load. It's vital to get the bushes to start to go in dead straight or it knackers em.

Yep saw that article .

Yep those bushes need to be dead square. When I did my front wishbone and replaced with the solid Audi TT bush i bent the vice handle putting so much force to press the bush in using to bit of wood and a under and over size socket.

Those bushes look different to the what i've had fitted in the past so maybe they'll be easier to get in!

remember to use plenty of grease to help em slip in!

That tool is either a sealey vw rear bush installer or a Laser vw rear bush installer.

Something like this set up.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Tools/Vehicle-Service/Hub-and-Suspension-Tools/Bush-Removal-Tools/?SEAVS722&t5_435

I am in GSF tomorrow so will get a price.

I don't think you would get much change from £80 in any motor factors and for a one time use i can't justify it unless a group of users pay a share.

I went to B&Q to get some large bolts nuts and washers (still need washers)

Cheers

Nice one buddy, this is turning into a really useful thread. Anything Sealey is great for me (family business is a Sealey dealer). I´ll see how much I can get the tool for this week.....

I got a quote from Awesome for the job, and was a little shocked by the price! http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/168553-rear-beam-bush-replacement-labour-cost/

They won´t even fit OE bushes for that! So savings to be had by going DIY.

Are those bushes the Fabia vRS ones then? They look identical to the LCR ones, apart from the colour of the plastic washer.

I once got my local VW dealer to replace the rear bushes on my MkII GTI, I think that they quoted me something like £75 all in (this was about 12 years ago) and I got an A4 as a courtesy car to play with.

My car was only supposed to be in for half a day, but I think in the end it took about 2 days for them to do. Mind you they did stick by the price that they quoted

Hi Bowders how did this job go - did the bushes fit OK and how do they drive?

Nice one buddy, this is turning into a really useful thread. Anything Sealey is great for me (family business is a Sealey dealer). I´ll see how much I can get the tool for this week.....

I got a quote from Awesome for the job, and was a little shocked by the price! http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/168553-rear-beam-bush-replacement-labour-cost/

They won´t even fit OE bushes for that! So savings to be had by going DIY.

Are those bushes the Fabia vRS ones then? They look identical to the LCR ones, apart from the colour of the plastic washer.

That's cheap compared to VW around the corner from my work who quoted over £500 to replace them on a MKIV GTi

Hi Bowders how did this job go - did the bushes fit OK and how do they drive?

any update ?

Probably still hammering the cr*p out of them to get em out :S

Can someone local to Bowders go and check on him, nearly a week since this thread was started and no news. Maybe he needs a bigger hammer . Was going to change the bushes on mine want to know how long it takes, and if it easy or a major P.I.T.A., going down the DIY route, too expensive at the garage.