Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide

[rum4mo]

Just so that the original guide can quote the part number of the "vw special lubricating grease" - the stuff is called "Assembly lubricating oil" and its VAG part number is G 294 421 A1 - this is for a 100ml small bottle.

[UWO]

I spoke to a Seat mechanic and he said that they never use any grease when replacing these bushes:confused:

Is it necessary to use it?

[rum4mo]

I spoke to a Seat mechanic and he said that they never use any grease when replacing these bushes:confused: Is it necessary to use it?

Well it was a Seat garage that I was buying the Cupra bushes from and the parts guy said " I suppose you will want the fitting lubricant as well" so I just said "yes". What you need to consider is that the Cupra bush has an aluminium "outer skin" so when you try pressing that into an aluminium TCA you will end up damaging and "jamming" one part to the other unless you use some form of lubricant. When fitting the standard bush that has a nylon "outer skin" this problem will not occur. Its just normal engineering practise when fitting aluminium into aluminium - but doing that is never a "good" idea.

[jacko203]

Quick couple of questions;

I need to replace the (front arm) rear bushes as they're shot. My car's a 1.4 16v, and I'm tempted to just get replacement bushes as supposed to the cupra ones; seeing as the suspension's pretty soft anyway, I personally doubt I'll gain any benefit from cupra bushes - any comments?

Also, do you think it's worth replacing the front bushes at the same time if I use standard fabia rear bushes?

Finally, is there anyone near Manchester with the spacers made up already that I could borrow off them?

Cheers

Rob

[Sy.]

Quick couple of questions;

I need to replace the (front arm) rear bushes as they're shot. My car's a 1.4 16v, and I'm tempted to just get replacement bushes as supposed to the cupra ones; seeing as the suspension's pretty soft anyway, I personally doubt I'll gain any benefit from cupra bushes - any comments?

Also, do you think it's worth replacing the front bushes at the same time if I use standard fabia rear bushes?

Finally, is there anyone near Manchester with the spacers made up already that I could borrow off them?

Cheers

Rob

Haha, I had a nightmare with mine yesterday. Ended up doing only the o/s and boy do I notice the difference with the standard softer bush. It dives and pulls to the left

[vrsfab]

I would still go for the Cupra bushes just from the longevity aspect although standard ones will be much easier to fit.

If the front bushes look ok I would leave them alone.

I have a set of washers for pulling in the new bushes but I am in Nottingham, although I do get as far a Matlock Bath quite regularly for a bag of chips.

Quick couple of questions;

I need to replace the (front arm) rear bushes as they're shot. My car's a 1.4 16v, and I'm tempted to just get replacement bushes as supposed to the cupra ones; seeing as the suspension's pretty soft anyway, I personally doubt I'll gain any benefit from cupra bushes - any comments?

Also, do you think it's worth replacing the front bushes at the same time if I use standard fabia rear bushes?

Finally, is there anyone near Manchester with the spacers made up already that I could borrow off them?

Cheers

Rob

[rum4mo]

I would still go for the Cupra bushes just from the longevity aspect.

If the front bushes look ok I would leave them alone.

I'll second that most definately!! and the extra bonus is the improved feel to the car.

[jacko203]

OK, I'll probably go that way. The front bushes look OK from what I can see of them without the console off, but what's frequency of failure on these? If they do fail, I'm tempted to replace them whilst the arm's off.

vrsfab: cheers for the offer, actually got family in Bakewell so could get to Matlock easily, but I'll prob just get the bits made in Manchester.

Cheers

Rob

[Sy.]

OK, I'll probably go that way. The front bushes look OK from what I can see of them without the console off, but what's frequency of failure on these? If they do fail, I'm tempted to replace them whilst the arm's off.

vrsfab: cheers for the offer, actually got family in Bakewell so could get to Matlock easily, but I'll prob just get the bits made in Manchester.

Cheers

Rob

Get 2 pieces of metal, quite thick. Drill 2 holes and hey presto, these are your press's. Bolt in between with a washer on each end. They dont have to be round. Just shape them with a grinder. All I did was take the corners off so they didnt hit the console units

[Tech1e]

A point worth making. You cant adjust camber/castor on these bolts, there is no movement on them as the bolt holes are slotted being the same diameter as the bolt.

[tony8834]

Just doing the console bushes on my SEAT Ibiza. Problem is finding anyone around here (rotherham) who can knock up the refitting spacers!

As it seems quite a few of you have these sorted, would anyone fancy either selling them on to me or loaning?? I drive my truck south every evening so a meet up at services could be possible or I could wiz over to you on my Bike (need the bits urgent)!

[vrsfab]

You're welcome to borrow my set. You can collect from my workplace.

We are 5 mins from M1 J27.

Drop me a pm if you are interested

[billy2981]

sticking with this, I am looking at doing my octavia, is it basically the same?

[vrsfab]

sticking with this, I am looking at doing my octavia, is it basically the same?

The Octy is a different chassis to the Fabia and I think the bushes are in a different orientation, an easier job IIRC.

[tony8834]

Many thanks for that offer. Just completed nearside, ended up taking the whole bush casing out (only 6 bolts) and used a vice. The thing was so tight, cant imagine it going in with the bolt and spacers!!!

Just the offside to do now. Thanks again for the speedy reply.

[bmwracer]

Just replaced both sides on my 2004 vRS and, whilst the guide was very useful, I came up against the following problems.

Firstly, it was very tricky to get a hacksaw blade in at a good angle to cut through the nylon outer of the bush, because of things like the chassis leg behind. I found it easier to cut through the rubber and remove the centre of the bush first before cutting the nylon outer, as this then gave me more room to work.

Secondly, with the bolts at 150mm long they would have been very difficult to remove once the console bush was pressed in, something about 120/130 giving a bit more leeway.

The nearside went reasonably well, the lubricant certainly helped with pushing the new bush in and using the ratchet strap helps as well. There also seemed to be no alignment problem afterwards either.

The offside (right) proved a different story because the bolt through the wishbone into the casting sheared off when about half way out, which meant removing the whole casting. The only plus point was it then made removal of the old console bush and fitting of the new one a simple task. With the help of a machinist I know well, we managed to drill out the remains of the old bolt without destroying the thread, and hence having to fit a helicoil, because even heating the casting in the oven was not enough to release the bolt!

Having got round this problem, refitted the casting and wishbone then bolted everything back up, this time the alignment is clearly not right, as the steering wheel is no longer straight. Not really a big surprise given that the casting is not positively located in any way.

Obviously I'll now have to get it re-aligned but does anyone know if a four-wheel alignment is sufficient or does the casting need to be re-aligned first by some other method e.g. my (less-than) helpful dealer.

Edited 17 November, 2008 by bmwracer

[rum4mo]

I'd think that any "four wheel aligner" that knows their stuff will know to move the console(s) and the crossmember if necessary to correct the four wheel alignment - I'd try to locate your local indep VAG specialist had has and can use a modern alignment set up. I still think that there is slight adjustment available at the end of the TCA both due to clearance in the TCA's through clamping holes and the clearance in the swivel assemblies.

[blackadder]

Just completed this job on my Sept. '03 vRS. The guide was very helpful but the hexagonal spigot on the wishbone was a swine to get back into the new bushes on both sides (very tight) mainly because I had no ratchet strap. The round spacers I had made at work to the spec shown here worked perfectly for drawing the bushes in. Trust me - you'll find it difficult to do the job without 'em. Careful with the big bolt fastening through the front wishbone bush - mine was very tight coming out on one side - squirt some penetrating oil in the day before you do the job. The first side took me 3 hours, the other side 1.5 hours. This time could have been much reduced had I used a ratchet strap. Thanks for the guide.

[Lofty86]

Just done my console bush and powerflex front bushes.

Handling is loads better, but because it turns better at a faster speed, the front inside wheel now lifts more.

ARB is next for sure.

Dave

[Tech1e]

Just done my console bush and powerflex front bushes.

Handling is loads better, but because it turns better at a faster speed, the front inside wheel now lifts more.

ARB is next for sure.

Dave

Be interested if that makes it better or worse.

[smithysmoo]

Just doing this job and what a bitch. Broke a few bolts, bent metal etc etc. Question is does the new cupra bush have to fit flush with the rear of the console as I can't for the life of me get it that far in. I've got it so its past the front and is only about 4-5mm from the rear. Will this be ok.

Also one point if someones attempting this you can get a socket for a ball joint in halfords thats the exact size of the bush, after various attemtps with bits of metal thats what I'm using now.

Please let me know and I will attempt again tomorrow if it deffo needs to be flush. Bu I'm about to give up.

[Tech1e]

You should put the bush in from the rear until it is flush with the back of the console and the bush should be at the correct level so the wishbone fits in.

[smithysmoo]

Now you tell me I fitted both of mine from the front as there was more space. Eventually used a big ball socket from halfords to draw it in. That wouldn't have fit on the back.:confused: There in now but like I say a few mm's off the rear......So is this ok.

[Tech1e]

I would have said they should have sat flush, its how they fit on the Cupra. If the bush is too far forward the wishbone wont sit right.

There isnt much room at the back, this is why I fit them with the consoles removed.

[smithysmoo]

Alright will give it another whirl, but I'm not hopeful......Bet its a damn site easier with the consoles off thats for sure. Like I say it ain't that far off, surely they will still sit the same though as whether the bush is 4mm back or forward its still on that wishbone spigot enough which shouldn't change how they should sit from what I can see.