drop links
complete steering rack, or certainly both track arms and rod ends.
engine mounts
bottom ball joints
potentially wheel bearings, certainly check.
dampers
Check wheels for run out
theres the basic list ive done on my last 3 cars
I want to return my polo back to a standard similar to new (IE, not floppy or vague!)
My plan is to drop the front suspension appart and replace the following:
Lower wishbone bushes
Bottom ball joints
track rod ends
Upper strut mount/bush/bearing thing
Antirollbar bushes and linkages
Can anyone think of any other "sacrificial" component anywhere on the car that could be replaced at the same time to help improve and
restore the car?
I know it seems a little weird wanting to do this, but I want the car to be tighter again...
[Edited on 14/8/09 by tegwin]
Chances are if you're at that stage the dampers should be replaced too. If you're replacing the track rod ends it might pay to replace the
entire track rod so the inner ball joints are new as well although these don't tend to wear at the same rate as the outer ball joints.
Have to ask why as it seems like a lot of time/effort to invest in what must be a fairly low value and basic car?
Its a 2001 polo GTI ... so its still a good fun car with enough power for some fun without being silly expensive to run and insure..
Just recently the steering seems to be a little weird.... occasionally having to turn the steering wheel 15 degrees when breaking to keep the car in a
straight line etc... so I figure, might as well replace all the floppy bits....
Its a good car in fantastic condition, so I might as well keep it running
[Edited on 14/8/09 by tegwin]
Might want to check for sticking callipers before anything else if it's pulling under braking.
All bushes in the whole car, so topmounts, rear axle, front wishbones, antiroll bars etc.
drop links
complete steering rack, or certainly both track arms and rod ends.
engine mounts
bottom ball joints
potentially wheel bearings, certainly check.
dampers
Check wheels for run out
theres the basic list ive done on my last 3 cars
new dampers have always made a difference to my old cars - but they are normally the last thing I do...
(I'm thinking about doing a front set on the focus at the moment but only because I'm going to have to do the upper strut mounts anyway)
I wouldn't go round doing all the bushes and joints unless you have to (or you have to take that part off for something else)
I does sound like you've got a problem with the brakes though (unless you find a bush that's totally knackered)
I'd check the usual suspects like sticking pistons/ calliper slides etc...
and depending on the state they are in, new discs and pads might make a difference
I've had issues with the brakes puling like that on all my cars at some point. cleaning up the fronts and making sure they are free helps, but
its getting the backs properly adjusted that made the biggest difference (just cleaning and fiddling on the fiesta/ focus and £40 of new parts + lots
of fiddling on the crapy 106 ones 
)
[Edited on 14/8/09 by mcerd1]
Its not just the twisting on braking though... I get torque steer over bumps as well.... 125hp is not a huge amount and should not be producing
torque steer!
The car also seems to follow ruts in the road a little to enthusiastically too... which suggests that soemthing is worn...
could be any of the above or a combination of all of them.....
(brakes, bushes, wheel bearings, dampers........)
best thing to do is get it up in the air and have a look.......
[Edited on 14/8/09 by mcerd1]
Yup... good plan!
Will do that next week and see whats what. Although its really hard to detect play in components when they are only just starting to degrade..
Will give me a good indication though!
quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
The car also seems to follow ruts in the road a little to enthusiastically too... which suggests that soemthing is worn...
quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
Although its really hard to detect play in components when they are only just starting to degrade..
)