antiroll bar bush change?

[oldtime fitter]

Hi all,
Is it possible to change antiroll bar rubbers without stripping half the car down as Haynes manual seems to suggest, my daughters late 2002 TDI s has slight knocking noise underneath when go'ing over uneven surfaces and i'm hoping it's the rubber bushes

 

[Badger]

Check Console bushes first. If it's a 2002 on it's original ones, they are more likely to be shot!

 

[oldtime fitter]

Hi There Badger 89,
Supposed to be new console bushes fitted last year by garage!! i had a moan at the time because they used ibiza bushes instead of cupra which they had been told to use.also had new bar to sus links fitted. This is only a very light tapping/nocking sound

 

[adyRE]

Have you checked drop links? One could be on its way out, when ive had knocking its been the drop links just changed mine the other month again thanks to uk's roads, no knocking now

 

[JR_130]

as mentioned, i would check the droplinks first.
I have changed the ARB bushes twice without taking too much off (not sure what is says to do in the Haynes manual as i dont have one)
basically take off the droplink, and raise / lower the car on the jack until there is no weight on the bar, then remove the clamp, replace the bush refit the clamp.
the bushes i fitted had an embedded layer of copper grease, if yours dont then i would rub some on the inside of the bush.
it is slow and awkard to get at the bolts, but not too difficult.
also if you are intending to keep the car for more than 2-3 years i would maybe think about getting poly bushes
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_o....m570.l1313&_nkw=roll+bar+poly+ibiza&_sacat=0

 

[oldtime fitter]

Thanks for your input so far lads,
Perhaps i should read manuals a little slower!!! the instructions i've been reading are for the total removall of the antiroll bar from the car!! there is not a section on just bush renewall and i was under the impression that you had to take the bar off to renew them. The cars go'ing on a friends garage lift monday, so i can have a goodlook round and try and find whats causing this light knocking.Hopefully will give you the findings next week. I think i would rather work on my 25year dagenham dustbin than my daughters ibiza!!!

 

[RUM4MO]

I think i would rather work on my 25year dagenham dustbin than my daughters ibiza!!!

Yup, that is "progress" for you!

Edit:- actually it is the "smell" of Skoda all over the running gear that makes working on these cars a bit nastier than it could be.

 

[oldtime fitter]

Hi All
Had the car on the lift!! links and rollbar ok. consol bushes fitted dec 2012 shot won't pas next mot!! possibly because man who fitted them put them an X position instead of a +position in the arm. or does it not make any difference?

 

[Badger]

They should be put in + and it does make a difference as this happened on my previous set, one x one +

The x went first and the + was still good. Had them replaced with Polybushes in the end.

Recommend fitting the Cupra bushes instead of the originals as they are firmer and tighten up the front handling a lot better!

 

[oldtime fitter]

I thought i was right the bush in the X position has no strength when a side or up and down force is applied. Badger89 is it you who posted a load of pictures and info on putting Cupra bushes in? can't find them at the moment !! where are they?? also can you get the cupra bushes anywhere else than a seat dealer? don't really want to put poly ones in her car price and hard ride the reason

 

[Badger]

eBay, dealer or try some of the site sponsors to see if they stock them.

No I didn't post the guide, it's here somewhere...

 

[DEAN0]

Just a thought but have a look at the collars on the anti roll bar - the early cars 2002/2003 had plastic collars to stop the bar moving sideways - the later cars had steel collars.

If the collars crack and move the anti roll bar can shift sideways and the arms rub slightly on the subframe/chassis.

Easy enough fix - push bar back in to position - push cracked collar back in place - fit jubilee clip over collar to secure.

That was the tapping noise my 2003 TDi sport had.