Front Anti Roll bar Bushes - How much??

**CPD** · 09-04-2008,04:35 PM

Hello,

I have Mk4 2000 that has just failed MOT miserably.
Front lights not right, rear bulb out (basic usual stuff) but also apparently emissions are too high (although just had lamda sensors replaced few months back) and front anti roll bar bushes...there is a lovely knocking sound going over bumps so it sounds about right...

but I was wodnering, before I go to my VW specialist who just cost me £600 for service & maintenance 2months ago, how much can I expect parts & labour to cost to replace these???

I'd appreciate any help you can provide...

P.S Anyone for a Mk4 Golf Silver (well looked after with loads just spent on it) for £2500?? I am leaving the country permanently to Australia in just 7weeks!!!

Thanks in advance,
Laura

**Lofty79** · 09-04-2008,04:52 PM

put some redex in and give it a good rag, bulbs easy, arb links and bushes (may aswell do both lots) £25 all in, diy it its easy stuff.

You can change all links and bushes on front end, from steering to suspension for £120 there is a kit you can buy that has every bit in it.

**CPD** · 09-04-2008,04:56 PM

Thanks Lofty79...

Not being the best at putting car parts together and not having a heap of mechanical mates..nor the time to be honest...I may have to pay for convenience on this one...any ideas though on a VW specialist garage woudl cost? I just dont want to get ripped off if they suggest its a 2hr job when it really isn't..I'm very cautious of that

Any ideas woudlbe great

Laura

**Lofty79** · 09-04-2008,05:02 PM

They would have a higher parts cost and at 2 hours labour that would cover all the work, so im thinkin youd be looking at £200 at vw specialist.

I would go to back street mechanic for this one and befriend a guy wholl do the work cheaper. Remember because of new rules your mot station has to give you 10 days to get work done then give you a cheap retest. I would think that failure sheet could end up being £100 elsewhere.

P.S thats a very good MOT i think, not alot of work at all, my audi was bottom ball joints rear bushes top ball joints, track rod ends, corroded brake lines, 2 tyres a bulb, brake discs front and rear.

**dirtyderv** · 09-04-2008,05:09 PM

Just out of interest . . .how many people take their car to their mechanic and tell him to give it a once over beofre its due MOT? I do/have done this with all my cars, hence ive never failed an MOT. Also when i know it needs serviced or soemthing fixed i get it done ASAP, i do not wait until MOT time - i think this is quite irresponsible actually, as it could be something quite important which you are failed on, and you might well have been driving for a long time with it unsafe!

**CPD** · 09-04-2008,05:11 PM

well MOT garage said needs VW specialist esp re: emissions testing for specific VW codes?
I guess worth calling around other garages but then VW receipts look good when selling car...which I am in 7 weeks time....

Cars at 130k mileage so yea not to bad, but considering had £600 just spent on not long ago, and since Im about to sell..this just hurts!

Cheers for your response though Lofty, appreciate it. I'll hopefully not have a £200 bill cos thats outrageous if it's simple enough for a home job!

**Lofty79** · 09-04-2008,05:12 PM

Thats a good point mate, but dont forget that sometimes people are unaware of any impending trouble. My failure was due to just buying the car as it was due an MOT, so i would save your judgements for another place as we are attempting to problem solve and be helpfull, rather than accuse folk of irresponsibility.

It is a good idea what you have suggested but do it in a nice way!

**Lofty79** · 09-04-2008,05:13 PM

Originally Posted by CPD

well MOT garage said needs VW specialist esp re: emissions testing for specific VW codes?
I guess worth calling around other garages but then VW receipts look good when selling car...which I am in 7 weeks time....

Cars at 130k mileage so yea not to bad, but considering had £600 just spent on not long ago, and since Im about to sell..this just hurts!

Cheers for your response though Lofty, appreciate it. I'll hopefully not have a £200 bill cos thats outrageous if it's simple enough for a home job!

Heres the anti roll bar bushes Laura http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRONT-ANTI-ROL...QQcmdZViewItem

**dirtyderv** · 09-04-2008,05:14 PM

Didnt mean to be nasty bout it :-/ just think of the hassle it would save ;-)

**CPD** · 09-04-2008,05:15 PM

Originally Posted by dirtyderv

Just out of interest . . .how many people take their car to their mechanic and tell him to give it a once over beofre its due MOT? I do/have done this with all my cars, hence ive never failed an MOT. Also when i know it needs serviced or soemthing fixed i get it done ASAP, i do not wait until MOT time - i think this is quite irresponsible actually, as it could be something quite important which you are failed on, and you might well have been driving for a long time with it unsafe!

Valid point...time I guess sometimes just catches you out some times too!

With moving to the other side of the world in few weeks time this was last on my list to be honest...some assumption that I had it serviced & maintained ONLY just few weeks before...and covered what should have been everything!

So why doesnt a garage pick up on the very basic MOT type check ups?

Thats the question to be asking!!!! Then I would Know I'm safe...

(Which I like to be)