Octavia 1 - Lower control arm bushings / Strut replacement > Problem

Hello,

I used the search function, but I couldn't find anything specific about the Golf IV axle. I hope I didn't miss anything.

I need to fix my disassembled control arm bushings now. They are the recessed areas that then gradually work their way out from the opening.

Okay, I found a bushing from a TT (likely referring to a specific car model), and while it's twice as expensive, I believe it's a solid rubber bushing.

8N0407181B


"Does anyone know anything about this for sure? Does the diameter fit? Or do you have any other recommendations?" I just want full coverage tires.


Greetings.
Georg.



EDIT: According to our parts catalog, the MEYLE bearing, which corresponds to the Audi part number, is listed as being made of solid rubber - and at a price of 10€ per piece, it would certainly be affordable.

Hi, I also prefer the solid rubber bushings, as they don't result in any noticeable loss of comfort.
"These things are also available in the R32 model, I'll check if the part number is the same as yours."

yes.

Okay, I completely forgot about the R32... "No loss of comfort" sounds good - although the 4x4 already has suspension travel like an off-road vehicle .

"But I think if I switch to a different tire now, that slightly indirect steering feel, which the car has always had, will also disappear."

I'll also be replacing the ball joints at the same time; after 200,000 km, it's definitely not a luxury.

Quote:

If I now use full-size tires, will this slightly indirect steering behavior, which the car has always had, also disappear

"This might be useful, ahh, I have the parts right here in front of me. They're supposed to fit in my Leoni, and I've had them stored here for about half a year." The read number is 8N0 407 181B.
I bought those parts from the authorized dealer, and they are BOGE parts. Okay, have fun with the change, although it's relatively easy.
Okay, so for a 2003 Golf IV R32, the part number for the front lower control arm is listed here. Price approximately €15 a few years ago?

yes.

It's no problem, I have a mechanic on hand... and I've done this a few times before... I'm curious to see when the rear axle will need to be replaced.

"Due to a broken control arm (specifically, the upper control arm broke right behind the welded mounting block - Skoda refused to cover it under warranty), all the control arms were replaced for safety reasons, so the bearings should be in excellent condition." But the bearings on the lower multi-link rear axle will eventually wear out too.

hi...

I've been using PU bushings since then, and I haven't had any problems. I highly recommend it!

Best regards,

Sure! I'm now also a fan of polyurethane bushings.
Excellent handling, even with the standard suspension, and they actually last a very long time.

They are just too expensive for me .

Installing a Powerflex kit yourself is much cheaper than having the dealership install the standard suspension.
But everyone should save where they want to save.

Okay.

Now, a repair is needed . I was surprised yesterday by a few metallic clacking sounds when driving over potholes; it sounded like a failing suspension...

nothing found, drove forward a little today, braked *clunk*... reversed into a parking space, braked *clunk clunk clunk*

Upon closer inspection, the ball joint has completely disintegrated.


Let's see if I'll just quickly install the MEYLE complete control arms myself again, or if I'll go to the workshop to have them pressed in – the time it takes speaks in favor of the first option... And in the end, having them pressed in at the workshop isn't really that much cheaper for me, since I have to drive a total of 180 km to get there, and I have to pay for that too.



What I'm wondering, since I'll have to measure the Octavia anyway:

- I replaced the rear shock absorbers last year.
- The front ones are the first ones (216,000 km), but they are still working well.
- Ball joints are the first.


Should I replace all the suspension components at once, including the shock absorbers, ball joints, and control arms? Then there would be some peace and quiet for a while... and I hope the ball joint screws come loose.

The threaded nut goes on securely, but not off.
After being unscrewed, the bolts tend to start turning in the opposite direction because the nut is very self-locking.
Then there's only one thing to do: use the Puksaege.

Okay, I've ordered the ones from the TT / R32, they're solid rubber, and I'll install them this weekend. I'll figure out the ball joints somehow; if necessary, I'll cut them out with a flex tool and replace them. Whatever.

Hi, make sure the threads of the ball joint stud are working smoothly. Once you've pried or worked the cone loose, you should be able to slightly loosen the nut. Because the distance to the control arm is very small.
When replacing ball joints, pay attention to the installation orientation; otherwise, a wheel alignment will be necessary.
When replacing the large rubber-to-metal bushings, the orientation doesn't matter for the solid rubber version. However, for the versions with openings, an arrow indicates the correct orientation, or you can check how the old ones were installed before pressing them out.
bye bye

yes.

Thanks for the tip, you're right. It should be fine. I'm curious to see if it will become stiffer with the solid rubber parts, which I actually don't want, as it's already quite bouncy with the 4x4 suspension.

Okay, the bushings are installed. The handling feels great, but the front axle is now incredibly noisy, and it follows ruts in the road much more. However, it's very stable and precise when it comes to steering.

But the clunking sound when stopping is still there, and the strut mounts are probably worn out... I'll probably have to start another repair attempt.

But the old bushings were completely disassembled... I'm glad I now have the solid rubber bushings.


Part numbers for Golf IV, Octavia 1, A3, and similar models:

Old rubber metal bearing with notches: 1J0407181.
New rubber-metal bearing from TT, without notches: 8N0407181B.


Interestingly, the old bearing was initially used with the 1J0... part number in the TT, which was the type with a lip seal, before being replaced with the full rubber version.


The list price for Audi parts is approximately €19 per piece, but I recently purchased them from MEYLE's parts distribution network for around €6 each.

Damn, this thing has become really noisy , have you experienced that too? I'm kind of regretting putting in those hard, long-lasting ones now, and I really don't want to know what it would have been like with PU bushings.