Hi all

i am new on here but have read many posts and got some very useful information!

I have had a run of flat tyres over the last few months, always the front tyres go and they become extremely worn on the inner side of the tyre and then puncture.

the most recent left me having to make a trip to kwik fit!

they told me it was prob the tracking, but while the car was up, they said i need to replace the anti roll bar on the front drivers side, they said this would explain the knocking noise i have been complaining to my mechanic about.

my question: Does any have a rough idea on how much this should cost? i don't want to use my mechanic as he has over-looked this problem 3 times now and even past my worn tyres on an MOT.

Kwik fir also advised that my wishbone needs changing in the next few months, is this worth doing at the same time to save cost or not?

thank you for reading and i look forward to your advise :-D

sorry :? i forgot to mention its a VW polo 2002 1.4

i know wish bones are about £50 to buy new, they normally charge £115 per side, for anti roll bars I'm unsure....what sound you getting? knocking or rub rub on pull off then stops

Thanks quit2k11 that is useful to know :-)

I have had a rubbing/grininding noise from the front driver's side on braking/slowing down. my mechanic said it was the brake pads he changed them but the noise is still there just not as often.

i have had the cv joints stc changed too!

kwik fit told me it was the anti roll bar on the drivers side and said it is far to close to the wheel part! but i dont know why my mechanic didnt see this.

cheap option - take it off :)

The anti roll bar is not just on the drivers side, it spans the width of the car. More likely is the anti roll bar bush, which is in the little mount that attaches it to the wishbone. Your mechanic can check this, though it rarely causes any problems even when it's worn (the anti roll bar can be removed without problems).

The staff of express tyre/exhaust places rarely know what they're on about, so don't be too concerned with what Kwik fit have told you.

However, they may be onto something with the wishbone - The bushes wear in these too, and they cause problems with steering and tyre wear when they do. But you can't replace the bushes alone, you replace the whole arm.

Again, this is something your mechanic can check, although i also think he should've done so already, and found out what the knocking is if you've asked him about it.

awww thank you for that information you have put my mind at ease a little. i will have a mechanic check it out and hopefully it will be another problem solved!

i love my polo but i think its spent more time in the garage than with me lol.

next problem to sort: alternator light comes on when car is started and doesn't go out until i accelerate

thanks for all your help :-)

If the alternator belt doesn't squeal, and it doesn't have oil on the belt or unit itself, then the contacts are worn and you need a replacement alternator.

You could check connections, as a loose connection or frayed cable can cause problems, but it's unlikely to give those symptoms.

Thanks MikeyMK that is useful to know.

the alternator does squeal when i turn on the ignition, its had this problem a good 10months now, so i know i am on borrowed time

Well that suggests the belt is too loose, and you may just need a new belt. You're lucky to get a belt to squeal for ten months without shredding itself to bits.

Why didn't you ask your mechanic to look at it? A new belt would've cost very little if done at the same time as the brakes.

I have suffered the knocking noise with several new polls and Audi a2, it is a cheap fix and usually doesn't require a new anti roll bar.

It is the drop links to the roll bar that tend to do as the ball joints are made from cheap plastic shite.

They cost £12 each for oem parts and take no more than 5 minutes to fit I usually go through 2 sets a year with the speed hump and pot holes.

Sometimes if the knocking has just started you might find that the nuts have just came loose by half a thread or so and just require a nip up.

If it is the bushes on the arb then just buy new ones take the arb off and you should be able to split the bush and wrap it around the bar. It's a bit of a botch but to be honest for every day driving you won't notice, plus new bushes are a few quid each where as the arb is £100-200 depending on model.