Front/Rear bushes, garage price/quotes?

[Christo77]

Hi all..
Seen quite a few posts on this but..
I'm going to get all the bushes replaced on my 8v..just wondered what you've been charged or which bushes you might have tackled yourselves ?  i know the rear axle one's are definately a garage or dealer job,
I guess i'm talking lower arm, anti roll bar and link..

Any info appreciated..cheers

[Rmachines]

I did the rear axle ones my self, took me a day but supprisingly easy when you know the tricks of the trade 
the rest are relativly easy,  as you say really you can do all of them your self as long as you are confident with a socket set. Dont attempt the rear axle though, i couldnt find a garage to do it anywhere, then i figured a reat simple way to do it my self. 

[Christo77]

Hey thanks for reply .. was beginning to think my post must be a dead bore or something!  

You did well then doing those rear bushes eh!
I replaced all my suspension a while ago, so does that mean i might have enough know how to do the rear bushes myself? hehe..

I'm going to see an independant mechanic tomorrow who specializes in vw..you reckon he might say no to tackling them?

Cheers

[Rmachines]

If he does VW he will at least know some one with a press to do it.   you need the correct kit to press the bearings in, and even a standard press will make a hash up of them, but they work ok still 

[Christo77]

Getting the work done tomorrow..
Been quoted the following if anyone's interested.. Rear axle bushes £205.00  Front lower arm bushes (wishbones) £175.00 including wheel alignment and camber setup, Also getting the anti roll bar links replaced £26.00 just for parts as the job falls in with the lower arms.

I've read about the difference those rear bushes make on the ride..am looking forward to that 

[K16-MYK]

Save a lot of hassle and money doin it yourself. Did my Rear Axle Bushes in bout 3 hours. Not the biggest job in the world imho. Plus, i grudge paying someone a ridiculous amont of money for a job that would take me the same time to do.

[Christo77]

K16..what's your point exactly?

I guess if your geared up and have the tools and knowhow to do the job then that's great.. Unfortunately i don't have the where with all's and neither a place to get the vehicle under cover and out of this weather etc..

If i could do the job as quickly' 3 hrs!?  and as easily as you make it sound then i'd have surely done it myself!

[Rmachines]

you could do the wishbones your self easily and the front arb links that takes about an hour per side for some one whos not done it before and you dont need the camber done!!! they shouldnt need to touch the camber bolts just pop the lower ball joint.  But tracking is recomended if anything is touched, i mean yea mabey the camber could be very slightly out if the wishbone is a diffrent size but not worth the £50 odd they charge for that.

I would nt attempt the rear axle, i needed to cut and weld the brake balence valve and to get them in without hashing them up is nearly impossible without VWs press.

The price your quoted seems about right for it all though, its alot easier to have it done if you dont have the tools or the space.   Let us know how it goes. 

[Christo77]

Hi..your right i could have done the wishbones and anti roll bar links i'm sure..i just thought as it's going in for those rear bushes i might as well let him do the front ones as well..yeah it cost a bit but i guess it's less agro for me.. and apart from that looking for a gap in the clouds to get out there and fit the work in with my daily routine! lol

Anyways..is all done,  Apparantly the camber and tracking on one side was a fair bit out.. Now my stearing wheel points to 12 oclock instead of 11 

But hey what a difference allround! it drives and handles superb now..little bumps and cracks in the road are a muted thud now instead of bang rattle!  you don't realise what your missing in the end.. very pleased with it

Pretty decent and upfront chap too.. gave the whole car a look over and thumbs up barring a loose support spar on exhaust centre box,

Cheers

[snifferdog]

so,its worth getting them done then??!! my rear axle bushes have been shot for a while now ,hoping to get them sorted after xmas,when ive got people in the back they always comment on the banging over pot-holes etc.haha.