caster bar bushes? how much to get replaced?

[bardy]

hey there today i had one of those $100 basic services on my car and the mechanic said I needed a caster bar bushes replacement because they are cracked. i was quoted $385 inc. labour.
I was wondering is this a standard price for such a job. It seems a bit expensive however I've never had to replace them before?

[jav360]

genuine front castor rod bushes are very pricey, better off going with a nolathane kit.

[chargedvx6]

genuine front castor rod bushes are very pricey, better off going with a nolathane kit.

Spot on. Genuines or any other oil filled unit will just fail within the next couple of years anyways. Go for a urethane type replacement. Best thing on these is that they are adjustable

[jazza15]

I got my urethene ones off eBay for less than $100, incl. postage. fitment is easy if you are keen to DIY

[Surfwagon]

I got my urethene ones off eBay for less than $100, incl. postage. fitment is easy if you are keen to DIY

How did you find the ride quality after fitting urethane ones.
I used the urethane ones in my VS and found the bump became a lot harsher.
I'm due to replace the castor bushes in my VZ and am reluctant to use urethane (for the reason above) as I love the ride now and wouldn't want it any harder.

[jazza15]

Haven't been driving for the past 5 months, 2 weeks and 6 days, will let you know after 3 weeks and 1 day.
The testing we did after fitting them however showed quite significant improvement as my old ones were stuffed. One was even bent :P
VS ones work differently to VT - VZ ones though don't they? Well they are at least part of a different suspension setup.

[kart_racer]

The superpro ones are supposed to be a bit softer than nolathane, so give a bit better ride. I found them to be good quality and easy to fit. Can order these from Supercheap for something like $140.

Put these and a strut brace on and found my steering is much more direct and controllable compared to before. Just gotta fix my steering rack now...

[Dayvo]

I put them on my VX and found them to be ok , plus as stated you can adjust them for standard or lowered suspension . Have a look in the How to section , i done a write up there some months ago .

[GMMAD]

$385 is a rip off
it is a 30min job
just do it your self

I did mine 2 weeks ago
$100 for the bushes and $110 for wheel alignment and set caster
do the rear ones while your at it they are $32

[Longman]

I can't believe $385!!

I got my nolathane ones off ebay for $32 final bid. They took 15 mins to install both sides start to finish, easy job and the instructions were easy to follow. All I needed was bearing grease and a wheel alignment after, so I guess $80 all up with the alignment.

[MkyHnly]

yeah i know it is a bit of a thread dig... but

apparently i need to get my caster bar bushes replaced (am i right in saying this? it gives a horrible clunking noise in my front passenger wheel arch)

if i get the bushes for my vt, how easy is it to replace these? i would much rather do the work by myself than pay $300 for a mechanic to do it!

any help would be appreciated, cheers!

[Darcon666]

yeah i know it is a bit of a thread dig... but

apparently i need to get my caster bar bushes replaced (am i right in saying this? it gives a horrible clunking noise in my front passenger wheel arch)

if i get the bushes for my vt, how easy is it to replace these? i would much rather do the work by myself than pay $300 for a mechanic to do it!

any help would be appreciated, cheers!

Depends if it's the front or rear Radius rod bush(That's what they are called)... Question:- Is the sound there while driving or while stationary and you turn the steering wheel?

[MkyHnly]

it is whenever i turn the steering wheel while moving slowly (that gives a more squeak/slippy noise - its hard to explain) and whenever i go over bumps it gives a metal on metal clunk. the clunk mostly occurs when i havent driven in a while or the car is cold - if i have driven a lot in one day it rarely clunks

[MR_VX]

I did mine 2 weeks ago
$100 for the bushes and $110 for wheel alignment and set caster
do the rear ones while your at it they are $32

are the back any hard to do then the front? also have you got a part number?