How to change rear bushes

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Hi all,

Getting some squeaking come from the rear suspension (02 Cupra 180bhp). Thinking it may be the bushes that need changing.

Is this an easy job (any guides or quick step by steps?) and how much do they typically cost from a stealer?

Are the front ones similarly easy/difficult (as wondering if I should do those at the same time assuming that I do the rears)?

Cheers

 

[Willie]

Rear are very easy, fronts are a bit more difficult but not too much so.
Try searching for any suspension swap threads and you'll find all the info there

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Can someone here confirm VAG part number for rear bushes on Seat Leon Cupra 2002? (Always feel the need to double check what garages give me)

 

[james walker]

1j0512131c mate x2 of them.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Garage has that down as rubber stops and £14.92 but they can't get them in until next week (useless on stock - have no idea how they get any work done).

Tried the VW garage (£14.92 +VAT) and Skoda (£13.23 + VAT) and neither have stock - looks like I won't be getting this done this weekend, mind you with the gales heading this way putting the car on jacks may not have been a good idea anyway!

 

[james walker]

http://www.veedubmachine.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=114&products_id=453

good quality are these ive had 2 sets from them and super quick delivery.

the rear bushes are rubber bump stops that your on about mate.

 

[Phillc]

I thought he was on about the rear beam bush's which are NOT easy to change, as these are the only bush's at the back, squeeking is prob dampers and/or bumpstops which just need some lube.

 

[james walker]

he pmd me asking fitting advice for the bushes mate, got the impression he ment suspension bushes. if not then the info he has been given aint right..

 

[Phillc]

Yeah, its not really clear.

 

[MJ]

As above, rear axle bushes are a ball ache, especially removing the old ones.

 

[wayne lcr]

yea burnt my rear bushes out the fxxkers but took the sub frame off much easyer and quicker but i got a 4 poster ramp at work and the new 1s went easy with sum grease

 

[csd_19]

Good guide can be found here

Certainly makes perfect sense!

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Right, didn't realise there were some more posts on this. Ok I should probably start at the top on this thread as I was posting elsewhere then started this one.

I had some squeaking/creaking coming from my rear suspension, especially bad after bit of rain and then the dry and when getting in and out of the car, but also could hear it a little whilst driving. Happened with the handbrake off as well as on so assumed not related to that (a poster had suggested it). In fact some of the worst creaking I got was when I was parked facing uphill and got out the car and the rear suspension gave a long minute long creak!

Another poster suggested the bushes. A liberal spray of WD40 behind the tyres on various suspension parts seems to improve it, albeit temporarily, so I was exploring this avenue. When I posted about bushes, james walker has directed me to the rubber stops (thanks for help btw!).

So, maybe should rewind a bit here, at your best guess/experience, is this likely to be the rubber stops lack of grease, or something else (PhilC mentions dampers). Rubber stops seem an easy change so happy to go and try that!

Car is 02 LC (180bhp)

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Ok, finally (and I blame the weather for much of this) got round to changing these bump stops. Was an easy job as james walker sent me a good mini guide, only thing I would add is to assemble the components then slide it on in one go.

When I took off the old mounts there were absolutely no grease in them. Also the rubber stops themselves were a touch soft. The change has made the rear end far more pleasant and less jolty over bumps. It has definitely eliminated some of the squeaking, however, I think all in all I had several different sources of noise.

One VERY noticeable creak was when I lowered the driver side rear off the jack, terrible din. No such noise on the other side. Generally was pretty liberable with the white grease and sprayed most contact points which does seem to have reduced it. STill not sure what that one is. I'll keep on the white greasing and see if it's just a matter of a bit of grease working itself into an awkward position.

I have another annoying squeak/chirp which I will may post in a seperate thread, I think it is actually more coming from the front of the card and happens whenever I accelerate remotely hard or go over bumps. Quite annoying! Wondering if the front bump stops could be offending items.

Are these more difficult to change?

 

[Slimy]

One VERY noticeable creak was when I lowered the driver side rear off the jack, terrible din. No such noise on the other side. Generally was pretty liberable with the white grease and sprayed most contact points which does seem to have reduced it. STill not sure what that one is. I'll keep on the white greasing and see if it's just a matter of a bit of grease working itself into an awkward position.

That creak is almost definitely going to be the handbrake. The pads skip across the disk very jerkily as you apply the vehicle weight to the swing arm, this transmits itself into every bit of metal in the car and makes the noise a hundred times worse than it really is.

But your other post (creaking while parked on a hill) also points to the handbrake, and again, it's fairly normal.

You really don't want to be changing the rear bushes if you can help it, it sounds like one of the toughest jobs you can do. I've got it as my next job, and I'm really contemplating just handing it to a garage to do. Your posts suggest you've gone off that idea though, so that's ok.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

That creak is almost definitely going to be the handbrake. The pads skip across the disk very jerkily as you apply the vehicle weight to the swing arm, this transmits itself into every bit of metal in the car and makes the noise a hundred times worse than it really is.

But your other post (creaking while parked on a hill) also points to the handbrake, and again, it's fairly normal.

You really don't want to be changing the rear bushes if you can help it, it sounds like one of the toughest jobs you can do. I've got it as my next job, and I'm really contemplating just handing it to a garage to do. Your posts suggest you've gone off that idea though, so that's ok.

I think my poor use of mechanic language confused things earlier - I was only ever thinking of changing the rubber stops rather than the axle bushes, soz! And yes I think pressing in the bushes is likely to not end well if I was doing it!

So to test out if it is the handbrake causing the creak - then shall I just try lifting and lowering the car with the handbrake off to see if it makes a difference?

Then it will be just down to the front squeaking...

 

[Slimy]

So to test out if it is the handbrake causing the creak - then shall I just try lifting and lowering the car with the handbrake off to see if it makes a difference?.

That would work, but PLEASE leave it in gear! Most of us use the handbrake to stop the car rolling while it's being lifted, without the handbrake your car becomes mobile. Even in gear it will move slightly, so be careful.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

That would work, but PLEASE leave it in gear! Most of us use the handbrake to stop the car rolling while it's being lifted, without the handbrake your car becomes mobile. Even in gear it will move slightly, so be careful.

Bricks will be placed in front of the front wheels for extra caution don't worry and thanks for the advice!

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

That would work, but PLEASE leave it in gear ....

Ok, did the suggested test and low and behold no creaking on lifting and lowering the car without the handbrake on, lots of creaking with the handbrake on. So, just leaves me with the chirping on acceleration/change gears/some bumps...

 

[c170784]

Hi how hard is it to change the rear axel bushes? Or would it be advised to take to a mechanic? Thanks