2007 VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI - Replacing front wishbones

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Fri 17 Jul 2015 12:08
2007 VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI - Replacing front wishbones - GazKaz

Hi everyone

My car has just passed its NOT but it has had an advisory about slight movement from the bushes on the front wishbones. It's apparently ok atm but will need replacing before the next MOT.

My question is, would you replace with OEM wishbones or press poly bushes into original wishbones? Is this an easy task for a keen diyer?

Thanks in advance

Gary.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 18 Jul 2015 20:03
2007 VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI - Replacing front wishbones - GazKaz

Cheers for the reply llos.

Apologies if it's a stupid follow up question, but can these be replaced with the wheels still on with the car on ramps?

Thanks.

Gary.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 18 Jul 2015 20:10
2007 VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI - Replacing front wishbones - skidpan

Apologies if it's a stupid follow up question, but can these be replaced with the wheels still on with the car on ramps?

Thanks.

Gary.

First thing you should do is go out and buy Haynes manual.

Second thing to do, read it.

You will find that changing bushes is not a simple job. There is a lot of dimantling and normally a workshop quality press is required to get the old bushes out and new ones in. Most of these interweb tricks simply don't work and can easily further issues.

As for you question, no you cannot do it on a ramp with the wheels on.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 21 Jul 2015 21:41
2007 VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI - Replacing front wishbones - GazKaz
Hi Skidpan

Thanks for the reply!

I do already own said Haynes manual, which I have read quite comprehensively, pictures are a bit scarce, but it looks quite easy. I'm probably going down the road of replacing the whole wishbone with rubber mounts already pressed in. I've heard using Audi TT wishbones is quite a good upgrade, improving road holding over stock wishbones.

I'm not a complete novice at this as I had to replace the wishbones on a Ford Focus, which was, to be fair a reasonably easy task.

Cheers again.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 22 Jul 2015 11:14
2007 VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI - Replacing front wishbones - skidpan

I've heard using Audi TT wishbones is quite a good upgrade, improving road holding over stock wishbones

If you fit non standard wishbones you will need to infirm your insureres. They will consider it a modification and may increase your premium.

But since your originals have worked fine for 8 years why would you want to fit something that you have "heard" is a good upgrade. Have you any better evidence than that?

At the end of the day the Audi wishbones are unlikely to improve roadholding. If the standard ones are OK and everthing set up correctly that will be as good as it gets without spending many ££££'s on a suspension kit that will probably just wreck your ride.

And why do you want better roadholding, do you regularly find yourself running our of grip. If you are then you need to drive at speeds that reflect the roads you drive on, its not a race.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

Cold-snap snow-how: Advice on coping with the freezing weather, including videos, facts and winter driving advice.

Honest John's Guide To Winter Tyres