Front arm lower bushes - replace with WALK or stock?

[Norbreck21a]

Hi guys, seeking wisdom here. My 2005 soot chucker needs new front wishbone bushes (the ones at the back of the wishbone) as my current ones are starting to split. Apparently it's a very common thing on the MK5 ?

The stealers, want to change me between £250-£300 to replace them, and I guess most of that is labour. Now on the suspension front, the car is stock, not lowered or coil overs etc, but does run 18's with 225/40/18 F1 Asymetricals. Being a soot chucker, whilst I do occasionaly give it a good spanking (as it's chipped), most of the time it's just cruising down the motorway.

I've seen a lot of good press about these WALK kits, and read a few threads on them (mostly concerning GTI's or R32's) and was just wondering if they would be a good replacement for the stock bushes, or if they are only really suitable for you petrol guys running big HP and lowered suspension? My main concerns would be
1) Additional noise and vibration, as the car is actually very quiet at the moment when trundling down the carraigeway.
2) Tyre wear. I know that the WALK kits are designed first and foremost to add some extra castor to give better grip in corners etc, but when just using the car normally, would this geometry change effect the tyre wear at all (mine are currently wearing very evenly).
3) Alignment. The VW bods say that I don't need a laser alignment afterwards if they do the work (if I have standard bushes) as they use a jig to ensure that the bush bracket goes back in the same place. However, Sarah at Awesome highly recommends a 4 wheel alignment if I have the work done with them. Any thoughts ?

Basically what I am after is what's the general verdict for a "standard" car - stick with stock at a stealer, or go with after market (aka WALK) ?

Any advise gratefully appreciated.

Cheers

Andrew

[QD MBE]

I have looked at this.  And I will be going with the S3 set-up, similar to the WALK, however OEM.  The S3 set-up is slightly stiffer than the STD Gti, due to the bushing not having the any Voids.  The Gti Has these Voids and hence is a little less taut.  I think new, they are about £45 a side.

[Janner_Sy]

just get the walk, its an hours labour and 136 quid for the part.  cxosts less and goves more.  no brainer for me.  the dealer fitted mine as well

[QD MBE]

just get the walk, its an hours labour and 136 quid for the part.  cxosts less and goves more.  no brainer for me.  the dealer fitted mine as well

ETTO, but I think the S3 OEM set up is a nice compromise, it costs less than the WALK and his post alludes to everyday compromise.  if you can get a new set cheaper still...................

S3 set up circa £90 RRP

[Norbreck21a]

S3 set up circa £90 RRP

Stokeballoon, don't suppose you have the part numbers for the S3 bits do you ?

[QD MBE]

At this time no.  But I did look into it a while ago.  I will have the P/no's tomorrow, as I collect mine then.
 
 

[SteveP]

^^^ I will grab them out of the garage in a bit and let you know 

[john_o]

1) Additional noise and vibration, as the car is actually very quiet at the moment when trundling down the carraigeway.

no difference  

2) Tyre wear. I know that the WALK kits are designed first and foremost to add some extra castor to give better grip in corners etc, but when just using the car normally, would this geometry change effect the tyre wear at all (mine are currently wearing very evenly).
mine have worn just the same as OE setup. WALK changes dynamic castor.

3) Alignment. The VW bods say that I don't need a laser alignment afterwards if they do the work (if I have standard bushes) as they use a jig to ensure that the bush bracket goes back in the same place. However, Sarah at Awesome highly recommends a 4 wheel alignment if I have the work done with them. Any thoughts ?


they are probably right and can do without. I would always recomend a check as you dont know its correct to start with !


Basically what I am after is what's the general verdict for a "standard" car - stick with stock at a stealer, or go with after market (aka WALK) ?

I would have no worries about fitting WALK   but would get other bits done at the same time + an alignment.
(my review : WALK review)

S3 is also a good choice as its OEM looking , weighs less than OEM part and is an upgrade.
But not quite to the extent of the WALK kits improvements imho
(I dont think the S3 changes castor etc).

forgot to add Im running std suspension on std 18's too  

petrol or diesel its all good. I would however check the WALK is ok for the heavier dsl 

so for me in order of preference (worst to best) :

OEM
S3 arms
WALK

I would consider carefully the WALK though if you have no other modifications and want to retain warranty without issues.
Its an obvious change that my dealer picked up on straight away.
I did manage to get a failed CV joint replaced under warranty but this was with a mod 'friendly' dealer.
Any suspension mods may make then refuse warranty in that area...

So in essense go S3 or WALK not OEM   

[SteveP]

Here are the part numbers: -





And the key difference, the S3 on is solid 

[QD MBE]

Here are the part numbers: -

And the key difference, the S3 on is solid 

My thoughts exactly.  One solid bush is better than a bush made of 2 parts.  Just my thoughts and as ever ETTO.

[Norbreck21a]

Thanks guys, as the car is nearly 5 years old, don't think I'll have any warranty issues 

TBH the original bushes have done 50k and 5 years, and I don't think I'll still have it in 5 years time, so I'm leaning towards the S3 units, as they are condierably cheaper than the walk, and slightly better in quality than standard.

On a seperate issue (but related), I've posted this over on the UK-MKivs forum and have has a reply but just wanted to double check. The car is running 18x8 ET42 reps (almost since new). When I get the bushes changed, I'll have the 4 wheel laser alignment done as recommended, however will the fact that I'm not running standard wheels throw the alignment machine out. I mean if they are programmed for standard VW wheels with offsets of 50-52, will that cause an issue or can they take that into account ?

[TomB]

I had a feeling the S3 had solid bushes, I'm definately buying these over the WALK!

The solid bushes will last for a good 7 or 8 years.  Whiteline's offering has always looked a bit of a gimmick to me, I'm sure they work but but they're juat way over engineered.

I used to have a tuned Ibiza TDI and solid Cupra bushes cured the same issue they have.  I ran over 300lb/ft on the solid bushes over 4 years on 2 cars and neither had any trouble