Worn suspension bushes and Anti-roll bar advice sought please

[vwgolfman]

Hi,
Apparently my MK4 (2001) Golf's lower arm bushes are perished (front, both sides).
Is it a big job to replace these and how long might I expect a mechanic to take in doing so?
Indeed can the bushes be replaced? - it has been suggested that it is easiest (most cost-effective) to replace the whole lower arm.

Also (apparently) the Anti-roll bar end stops are rusty and cracked.
Is this common in a car of 7 years and is it a pain of a job?

It might be worth adding here that my car has developed an annoying creaking sound coming from underneath.
This is most noticeable when driving slowly such as pulling away or driving slowly over speed bumps.
Could this be something to do with the above issues?

The reason for my asking everything above is that a garage is quoting me £500-£600 for the lot which appears a little on the high side.

Many thanks for any pointers/advice.

[kesselrun]

The creaking noise you describe is consistent with front ARB issues - I had the same, got the end stops replaced about 18 months ago but ended up getting a complete new front ARB about a year ago. From memory it's over 100 quid for the bar itself (original vw part) so I guess it's down to how much the mechanic charges for his time.

My 4motion is a 52 plate and it's a fairly common issue with mk4's apparently.

I'm afraid I can't shed any light on the arm bushes, never had them replaced so no idea how common it is, or the cost involved. Maybe somebody else can help you with that one.

[wildstar]

hi i agree with the above to the issues of the creaking being most possabley the arb or just the arb bushes,as to the lower arms you can buy the bushes realy cheap, only snag is they realy need pressing in but can be done with the use of a large plastic hammer also the lower arms are quite cheap around £30 each off ebay but dont quote me on that and any one with some decent tools and a little knolage cann change these over very simple i think the price youve been quoted is very high i would quote around £200 pound for lower arms including labour and simalar in the arb too but would try bushes in the arb bushes first also arb ends are cheap and very easy to replace hope this helps
steve

[v6dub]

it is a really common problem as the chap above said, i have had my front and rear anti role bushes and link arms replaced on my v6 4motion, back cost £170 and the front was £211, if you are going to get the lower arms replaced as well and the ARB's bushes and link arms for £500-£600, that is not a bad price, however i'm not sure on the set up of a normal mk4 golf i just know what a 4motion looks like underneath. so it maybe really easy to have done and you may be paying over the top.