Golf MkIV - front suspension refresh tips?

[AdrianR]

After 125K the front suspension on my MKIV TDI is getting a bit tired.
Specifically I've got a squeak which I think is anti-roll bar bushes and a clunk over bumps which I put down to top mounts.

Any tips for other things to check? Wishbone bushes is a possible but car passed MOT a month or so back with no comments so maybe they are still OK.

Pointer to a how-to would be good as well - ARB bushes look straightforward, not clear if top mounts can be done without removing the shocks. Wishbone bushes I'm assuming you need a press for, but if you have one are they doable or is it better to get complete replacement wishbones?

Thanks,
AdrianR

[AdrianR]

No tinkerers around this week?

Anyway, looks like replacing top mount bushes is possible with minimum fuss.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1381025

AdrianR

[Ranger 6]

Front wishbones are generally a swap item - the hassle with a press to save a couple of quid is negated by the price of a new wishbone, they're cheap.

As a refresh I'd do the ARB bushes, wishbone bushes and top mounts. At 125k if you've got it in pieces to do the top mounts you could do worse than putting a couple of new shocks in too. Either that or save for the back bushes 'cos they're nasty and are probably knackered too.

www.uk-mkivs.net is a good source of info, but ignore the suggestion to put poly bushes in, they don't last

[AdrianR]

Replaced ARB bushes, squeaking seems to have gone and so I think have most of the knocks and bumps. Inspected top mounts and wishbone bushes, all pretty good except NS wishbone bush just starting to crack, so will leave those for another day.

AdrianR