Replacing Dog Bone and Control Arm Bushes

[flat6]

Hi Everyone

Cars due for a service and I was thinking of ordering some super pro parts to get installed at the same time, would be great to get some feedback on these parts.

I remember reading about the below SuperPro "Sports" Dogbone bush and people saying they don't get the vibration on idle that you do with the APR mount, does anyone have one that can comment?
SuperPro Parts (http://www.superpro.com.au/superpro-parts/SPF2907-70K)

I read a thread a few months back about replacing the control arms, but figured the bushes would be the next best thing at a fraction of the cost, does replacing these help with torque steer under power?
SuperPro Parts (http://www.superpro.com.au/superpro-parts/SPF3311K)

What sort of time is involved in installing these parts ?

Cheers :)

[h100vw]

Hi Everyone

Cars due for a service and I was thinking of ordering some super pro parts to get installed at the same time, would be great to get some feedback on these parts.

I remember reading about the below SuperPro "Sports" Dogbone bush and people saying they don't get the vibration on idle that you do with the APR mount, does anyone have one that can comment?
SuperPro Parts (http://www.superpro.com.au/superpro-parts/SPF2907-70K)

I read a thread a few months back about replacing the control arms, but figured the bushes would be the next best thing at a fraction of the cost, does replacing these help with torque steer under power?
SuperPro Parts (http://www.superpro.com.au/superpro-parts/SPF3311K)

What sort of time is involved in installing these parts ?

Cheers :)

The bushes at the front of the wishbone are much less of a problem. Its the rear ones that are the weak link.

There's a special VW tool for fitting the rear bushes, have a look through my cheapy thread.

I have a extra stiff mount in my dog bone and it is buzzy in the cabin. The 70k one would be better in that respect, if not the best compromise.

Speaks to you service people about the fitting.

Gavin

[Bflat]

Hi Everyone

Cars due for a service and I was thinking of ordering some super pro parts to get installed at the same time, would be great to get some feedback on these parts.

I remember reading about the below SuperPro "Sports" Dogbone bush and people saying they don't get the vibration on idle that you do with the APR mount, does anyone have one that can comment?
SuperPro Parts (http://www.superpro.com.au/superpro-parts/SPF2907-70K)

I read a thread a few months back about replacing the control arms, but figured the bushes would be the next best thing at a fraction of the cost, does replacing these help with torque steer under power?
SuperPro Parts (http://www.superpro.com.au/superpro-parts/SPF3311K)

What sort of time is involved in installing these parts ?

Cheers :)

YES TO EVERYTHING.

Get the 70 Shore Superpro bush for the dogbone mount and you'll only ever notice increased vibration whilst stationary with aircon on (minimal).

Definitely get the control arm bushes as the stock arms themselves aren't worth upgrading.

Allow a couple of hours labour

[flat6]

Thx Gav, Got the idea from your thread :)

Yep the 70k seems like a good compromise, cars on the road more than the track, since chipping it the stock mount takes a bit of a bashing..

So its best to get the rears or replace both front and rear bushes?

[noone]

the Dog bone (not really a dog bone shape on the Polo) can be done yourself without major tools. I would only go 70shore.
I had the whiteline rear control arm bushes, would suggest you go with the Seat ones unless you want the caster altering version.

[flat6]

So its not too hard to do the front engine bush yourself? Might try finding a guide to it and having a shot at it

Find SuperPro Parts for My Vehicle (http://www.superpro.com.au/find-superpro-parts-for-my-vehicle/vehiclelookup/VOLKSWAGEN-Polo-9N1---9N3-Series/71-169-1973)

Got some quotes from Bursons
Engine Bush - SPF2907-70K $80
Front control arm bushes - SPF3311k - $81
Rears Control arm Bushes - SPF3273k $158,
regarding the caster alteration, they are quoted as "Anti Lift Kit; Fits OE housing # " The race version alters the caster I believe

Was quoted $165 for the mechanic to install the engine bush and around $320 for the front and rear, not sure if i'm going to need bolts or something extra

So all up its pretty pricey procedure :)

[h100vw]

Check those part numbers in ebay. I got the rear anti caster bushes for about $100 delivered from a place on the Gold coast.


So its not too hard to do the front engine bush yourself? Might try finding a guide to it and having a shot at it

Find SuperPro Parts for My Vehicle (http://www.superpro.com.au/find-superpro-parts-for-my-vehicle/vehiclelookup/VOLKSWAGEN-Polo-9N1---9N3-Series/71-169-1973)

Got some quotes from Bursons
Engine Bush - SPF2907-70K $80
Front control arm bushes - SPF3311k - $81
Rears Control arm Bushes - SPF3273k $158,
regarding the caster alteration, they are quoted as "Anti Lift Kit; Fits OE housing # " The race version alters the caster I believe

Was quoted $165 for the mechanic to install the engine bush and around $320 for the front and rear, not sure if i'm going to need bolts or something extra

So all up its pretty pricey procedure :)

[VWindahouse]

So its not too hard to do the front engine bush yourself? Might try finding a guide to it and having a shot at it

Find SuperPro Parts for My Vehicle (http://www.superpro.com.au/find-superpro-parts-for-my-vehicle/vehiclelookup/VOLKSWAGEN-Polo-9N1---9N3-Series/71-169-1973)

Got some quotes from Bursons
Engine Bush - SPF2907-70K $80
Front control arm bushes - SPF3311k - $81
Rears Control arm Bushes - SPF3273k $158,
regarding the caster alteration, they are quoted as "Anti Lift Kit; Fits OE housing # " The race version alters the caster I believe

Was quoted $165 for the mechanic to install the engine bush and around $320 for the front and rear, not sure if i'm going to need bolts or something extra

So all up its pretty pricey procedure :)

Try the boys at GSL (forum sponsor) for the parts. Think you'll get a better deal. And the both street and race antilift RCA bushes have the castor adjustment. They are just different Duro's. I highly recommend them :eek:

[noone]

I did mine myself, but on saying that the existing one had perished (substantially).

With my current suspension and new 70 shore I've noticed an increase in vibration, its died down but still noticeable around 1000 rpm (above idle but a little shake when picking up the revs from a stop). Some have lots, others not so much, YMMV.

[kaanage]

So its best to get the rears or replace both front and rear bushes?

I don't think changing the front bushes makes anywhere near the difference that the rear consoles do since the fronts are solid rubber but the rears have huge voids in them.

As for the poly dogbone insert, you should be able to do it yourself.

[flat6]

Thanks for the input, might go pick up a torque wrench on the weekend and sort it out myself, looks easy enough following a similar guide for the MKV, just a different insert, ECS Tuning: VW MKV Dogbone Mount Installation - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH7MhZvSklE)

Might research doing the rears as well so long as the rain keeps away this weekend :S

[noone]

That guide is not much good, asside from the parts being in the same place, it works differently.

The bracket that holds the arm onto the engine looks the same. The arm itself has the bush inside, it needs to be pressed in (I did it with my foot). The arm with the bush inside slides into the frame from the engine side.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2011/11/poloem3-1.jpg

This is the replacement bush (yellow) from APR, if you butcher the stock one enough, you can get it out. Might be able to foot-press it out, but mine was so fatigued I didn't need to.

I got my superpro (SPF2907-70K) from GSL, in stock, took 2 days. Also helped with new bushes for swaybar.

[flat6]

Ordered the Engine and rear bush from GSL this morning, expecting them tomorrow or Friday :D

Turns out Bursons had to order them from QLD, charge a 20% markup and $4 more for postage, Thx for the tip Anthony :)

[flat6]

Got around to installing the Engine mount bush this morning, took longer to get the stock bush out than it did to get the new one in, takes a bit of butchering but it turns out garden cutters do the job nicely

You can see why the engine moves so much with the stock mount
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/4953/wqrz.jpg

Have noticed with the new SuperPro bush when turning the engine on after its been off for a bit, it makes a bit of a loud rumble, sounds a bit different to what it did beforehand, this normal?

However whilst idling and with the air con on, the extra vibration is very minimal, just starting the engine it seems most apparent

Difference when driving is amazing but, so much nicer when shifting, almost feels like its got more power strangely.

[flat6]

Sorted out the rumble on start up, cross bolt was coming loose, lucky I double checked it haha

All up very happy :)

[flat6]

I don't think changing the front bushes makes anywhere near the difference that the rear consoles do since the fronts are solid rubber but the rears have huge voids in them.

After a few days driving around on the new rear console bushes, all I can say is wow what a difference, changed the whole feel of the car, also noticed that first gear is more manageable now, had the guys at volkwerke install them, set the casters to anti lift, took under 2hrs all up, They mentioned the previous pair were actually split, and I've only just hit 40k...

Mod was def worth the money imo

[seangti]

cheers for the details through your search and install. I need to do the rear engine mount on mine (and potentially others). Whilst I'm mechanically competent I really don't get much joy from it though may give this a crack myself.

RE the control arm bushes, mine were replaced under warranty in the low-mid 20ks and swapped out for Seat ones a few months later when the bilsteins went in. So 40k is no surprise or particularly premature.

[flat6]

Beauty of it is my gf drives a stock GTI, so after every mod I can compare it to the stock car, gotta love it.

To be honest the rear engine mount was actually quite a pain in the ass, I'm technically competent and love mechanical challenges, this thing had me jacking my car up at 9pm at night after work trying to figure out why it was so rough to drive, but now, its gotta be the 2nd best mod I've done following the chip :D

[seangti]

Ok, with that in mind might get the brother involved. He's a mechanic so has a mechanical perseverance I simply lack. :-)