Club 80-90 Forums

Okey dokey.

I have a rather annoying squeak coming from the n/s/f suspension but only when the ambient temperature is warm/hot - so obviously at the minute, it is rather noisy.

Having searched for postings, I'm guessing that it's a perished bush but is there anyway to find out which one?

Also, the MOT is coming up in May - is it a failure point?

And finally, how easy are they to replace? I've looked at the wiki article but it looks like it's a job for someone with experience (I am learning at I go along so is it something I can do, or do I need to take her in to see a VW doctor)?

Thanks kids and happy easter.

The likely culprit is the top wishbone rubbers. These bushes are a weak point on T25 suspension and collapse giving too much negative camber (leaning in from the top of the wheel)
The tell tail symptom is a load 'squeak'

There are two bushes per side, they cost about £14 each for the standard one (Poli bushes more but last longer)
if one side is gone then the other side won't be far off.

The failed bush can be identified by looking at the head of the 'TOP BOLT' it should be central in the bush, but if the bush has collapsed the bolt head (round allen bolt head) will be 'OFFSET' and not in the middle.

To fix remove top wishbone (not a bad job removing the top camber bolt and the two allen key bolts holding the top ball joint) cut off welding pip (which is there to stop the bush rotating) knock out, knock in a new bush, re-weld pip, refit and then check and adjust geometry.

Because of the weld and geometry adjusting, most owners opt to take this repair to a garage, however, if you can weld and have a spirit level, plus a degree of 'Heath Robinson' hows your father and this can be done by a home mechanic.

Cautionary note* to make sure eccentric (camber) washers go back the same way.

Martin

If you can have good listen from underneath while someone else moves the van and make certain of where the noise comes from - I was assured by several sources that my squeaky front suspension was caused by the top wishbone bushes.

It wasn't. Not a jot of difference after changing them - immediately I lifted the clutch after fitting the new ones it made exactly the same noise.

Red Westie wrote:The likely culprit is the top wishbone rubbers

needs investigating.

Martin

I had mine (top wishbone bushes) done at our local T25 friendly garage last year
Cannot quote cost because I had most of the other front suspension bushes done at the same time.

Much nicer to drive when the squeaking had gone

I like the squeak. On certain roads I can get a rhythm going and join in on the blues harp.

I opted for the "take it too a garage" approach as I was concerned about getting the geometry right.

Cost was £290, seems expensive but was done within the day and the new found silence was amazing (people even stopped turning round and staring at us).

Having said that I'd also got very used to the squeak and missed it, once it was gone (as the radio wasn't fitted at the time and the silence was quite disconcerting).

My happiness was short lived however as the engine has now failed only a week later (but that's another thread).

Rich

Rich Tea wrote:
My happiness was short lived however as the engine has now failed only a week later (but that's another thread).

Rich

Totally silent now!

Top wishbone bushes around £65
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_act_shop.p ... try_GB.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

About 1 - 1.5 hours a side to fit
About an hour to set the Camber and tracking

So 4 hours (£45 an hour?) labour plus £65...£245 plus vat about right

Martin