suspension freshen up

[clancy]

My mk3s suspension and ha fling is starting to feel a bit worn. It had new coilovers with new top mounts and bearings last year so they are fine

So was looking at,

suspension arm bushes,
arb bushes,
Arb,
Ball joints,

is it worth changing all of them ? Or just some ? And anything else to consider

thanks
 

[boneybradley]

A kit like this for a starter would be ideal
Ball joints, Wishbone bush front, Wishbone bush rear & Track rod ends for the GTI £97.33 or £83.03 non GTI for the set http://oemandmore.co.uk/front-suspension-update-kit-level-1-gtivr6-febi-352-p.asp
http://oemandmore.co.uk/front-suspension-update-kit-level-1-non-gtivr6-febi-4777-p.asp

and then anti roll kit http://oemandmore.co.uk/stabiliser-link-with-anti-roll-bar-bushes-gtivr6-pair-4781-p.asp

It all depends on how far you want to go? I also give the option of new tie rods with these kits or new control arms pre fitted with the bushes. 

[clancy]

Cheers mate that's ideal, it was you I ordered my top mounts etc off as well

Not really sure how far to go, front end just feels tired. It's pretty rough and seems to be picking up far more bumps than it used too so I'm presuming some things worm out

Well, 20 year old car so some things bound to be worn out lol

Is the only difference between level 2 and 3 the uprated bushes ? What difference do they make ?

Cheers

[clancy]

Also just as a side thought

If I was to go from coilovers to a shock and spring setup what would people recommend ?

Would need to be something that goes pretty low, it's the non height adjustability that has always put me off as I like the car to sit pretty low

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

Polybush the whole car with Powerflex or Super pro, Eibach Arbs, strut braces and all the above.  When I replaced my worn bushes for Polybush ones I noticed a good difference over the standard

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

Also just as a side thought

If I was to go from coilovers to a shock and spring setup what would people recommend ?

Would need to be something that goes pretty low, it's the non height adjustability that has always put me off as I like the car to sit pretty low

Stick with coilovers. I am tempted to get the KW V2s but that will set me back over a grand

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

Polybush the whole car with Powerflex or Super pro, Eibach Arbs, strut braces and all the above.  When I replaced my worn bushes for Polybush ones I noticed a good difference over the standard

Also if you got the Eibach arbs they come with arb poly bushes. It is more then likely that your wishbones are fine and just the worn bushes that need replacing

[boneybradley]

level 3 uses powerflex arm bushes which are around 30% stiffer than rubber o.e types, They help by keeping the wheels more in contact with the road as the geometry is kept more in line with how it was designed (which gives much better handling).
As they are stiffer you may feel the suspension ride is firmer and if you want comfort I wouldn't recommended them (go for the febi instead) but if you do want better handling they are a highly recommended product (and they don't deteriorate like rubber so have a longer service life)

With shock and springs kits getting the right height is essential, and they do give a better ride over coilovers unless you spend big ££ (my shock springs kits start at £145 and coilovers £165 and both go in to £1000's)

[clancy]

Cheers guys, think I'll order new bushes all round, probably just get normal ones as the polybush ones seem rather expensive to get the whole lot

Worth  doing ball joints and track rod ends too ?

[boneybradley]

How do you mean worry?

If doing the rest of the bushes it's as important to do them too (both do wear!). I will add to fit the arm bushes you will need them pressed into the arms (the powerflex don't)