vrsfab

It's a one owner car that's only done 6000 miles. It's never been used intentionally in the wet and last got wet in 1996 when caught out in a storm. It goes on blocks over winter between november and April to avoid the dreaded salt. Until I bought it from the original owner (an 86 year old lady) it had never been used in the dark either, so the headlamps pop up once a year for it's MOT. It is one of only a handfull of known X1/9's with zero rust and my pride and joy. Just a shame it's not a 1300 model with the tiny quarter bumpers as Bertone intended and not these huge American spec alluminium monstrosities.

The large black socket is 1.5" bought when I had Rover V8's and a man needed a proper socket set . Using one of the spacers and an offcut of largish tube would be ok. Where are you based? If you leave a deposit you can borrow the gear.

Yes

What a pointless thread. It looks to me like a thinly veiled attempt to see how much you can snipe at each other without getting a ban. :( Can't we just enjoy the forum and our cars. Bear in mind guy's, this must look cr*p to a first time visiter looking for information on their Fabia. The sooner this is locked, the better. In the mean time feel free to flame away.

I've had the same problem myself, although it was on a hatchback model. The joint is located at the passenger side of the rear seat under the black trim over the wheel arch. Snap the fitting back together and secure it using an 8mm fuel line clip. See the pics below. Sorry about the cr4p picture quality

If you're getting odd wear on the front tyres it may well be the console bushes getting tired. It would be a good time to swap them for the Seat Cupra ones to help you enjoy your new rubber to the full

I will post a picture tonight.

I've just fitted Cupra bushes to mine, there is a guide in the technical section. http://www.briskoda.net/forums/technical-guides/fabia-wishbone-bush-replacement-diy-guide/101781/ My initial impressions are here http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/fitted-my-cupra-bushes-today/101507/ After the work I took the car for an alignment check and it didn't need any adjustment but I know from other members experiences that not everyone gets away with it.

I would stick with OEM wheels from the VW group. They can be had new for good prices from VAGPARTS in Swindon. If you do go aftermarket I would go for OZ or Compomotive. HTH

Looks lethal. :eek: I love it, keep us posted.

There is another joint in the pipe on the passenger side, under the C pillar trim at the side of the rear seat back. Bet you can't guess how I know this.

It' a chance I'd willingly take.

Sounds like a cool hound you've got there . How much would it be to hire for the week to help me with our local cat infestation? On a more serious note - I would have thought your neighbour would have learned after the first couple of incidents.

No it's not cracked, just a high quality VW casting.

I don't think the Octy has the same setup as the fabia, so I can't really answer your question, sorry

You need to replace the 3 bolts on the lower ball joint and the large bolt in the front of the wishbone. Sorry I've not got the part no's to hand at the moment.

Cheers rum4mo, Valid points. I wish I knew about the Seat lube, the wishbones were an ar5e to get back in. I believe the holes in the wishbones were only oversize on the early cars. The holes on my Vrs were almost size for size.

A dealer or independent should be able to fit them for you, but to prevent confusion I would buy the bushes yourself and take them to the garage with you.

DIY fitting guide now uploaded It's a bit of an epic http://www.briskoda.net/forums/technical-guides/fabia-wishbone-bush-replacement-diy-guide/101781/#post1174801

Here's a DIY guide on replacing the Fabia front wishbone bushes with Seat Cupra and Powerflex alternatives. This is a fairly involved process and should only be attempted if you are a fairly experienced DIY bodger like myself . Please read and understand the guide before commencing as the hardest part of the process is the reassembly and at this point the car will be impossible to move if you can't finish the job. Parts required: 1 Set Powerflex bushes - Part No PFF85-601 2No Seat Cupra Console bushes - Part No 6LL407183 1 Tube VW Special lube for fitting Console bush - Part No G 294 421 A1 6No Bolts for Balljoints - Part No N10127707 (VW Part No) 2No Bolts for Front Wishbone Bush - Part No N10141801 (VW Part No) Note:- The bolts were purchased from a local VW dealership as none were in stock at any local Skoda dealers. Tools required: Tool to fit Cupra bushes into Consoles (See below for Details) Jack and Axle stands A strong socket set A senior hacksaw Mallet Large screwdiver Torque Wrench Ratchet strap Making your Bush fitting tool: This consists of an M12 x 150 long high tensile set screw, 2No M12 washers and 2No M12 nuts. These are readily available from your local hardware shop or Fixings supplier. You will also need to get a friendly local engineering shop to make the large spacers for you. I managed to get all 4 spacers made in return for a 20 bottle crate of Stella. The spacers are 8mm thick with a 12.5mm dia hole in the centre. You will need 2No @ 61mm dia and 2No @ 71mm dia. Procedure: Jack up the car and support it on the sill jacking points with axle stands. Remove wheels and engine splash guard. Remove the 13mm nuts on the lower ball joint. Pull the hub outwards and slide the lower balljoint out of the wishbone. Remove the 18mm bolt from the front of the wishbone Slide the wishbone out of its front mounting. Remove the wishbone from the rear console bush. This is best done by rotating the wishbone to the 6 o'clock position a few times while maintaining forward pressure. A view of the old console bush. To remove the old console bush I found it quickest to cut partially through the outer nylon casing with a hacksaw blade threaded through a void in the bush. When the casing is partially cut you can tap a blunt screwdriver between it and the console and the nylon will split. Tap the bush out from the rear. Clean the inside of the console with WD40 and a Scotchbrite pad. To Remove the front wishbone bush from the wishbone you will first need to cut off the rubber flange from the rear side of the bush with either a hacksaw or knife. Fit a large socket over the remaining flange and a smaller socket on the cut side of the bush and using your M12 set screw, pull the bush out of the wishbone and into the socket. Bush removed. Fit the Powerflex bushes into the wishbone as described in their instructions. Fitting the Cupra bush into the Console. The bush should be fitted with the flush side towards the back of the car and with the hexagon hole flat at the top and bottom. (See the fitted pic) Lubricate the console and the bush with the special lube, place correctly aligned, into the console and tap it gently with a mallet to start the fitting. Put a large spacer at the rear of the console and a small spacer at the front of the bush. Thread the M12 Set screw through the spacer, bush, console and spacer and fit the M12 nut at the rear. Make sure there is plenty of oil on the thread. Start to tighten the nut and check the bush is still aligned with the console. Carefully tighten the nut and bolt until the bush is pulled through the console and is flush at the rear. New Cupra bush fitted. Refitting the Wishbone: Lubricate the hole in the Console bush and the hexagonal spigot on the wisbone with copious amounts of the special lube. Place the wishbone into the bush and start the fitting with a few taps of the mallet. Place the ratchet strap around the rear of the console housing and round the Powerflex bush at the front of the wishbone. Ratchet the strap to pull the wishbone into the console bush. It will be difficult and a few more taps with the mallet may help the process. The wishbone is correctly fitted when 3-4mm of the spigot protrudes at the rear of the console bush. Hinge the front bush into its correct position, as shown in the pic above, and fit a new 18mm bolt. Torque to 70Nm and tighten a further 90 degrees Refit the lower balljoint back into the wishbone and fit new 13mm bolts. Torque to 20Nm and tighten a further 90 degrees Refit the splashguard and wheels and lower the car to the ground. Get the tracking checked as soon as possible. I hope this helps someone out or at least helps you to make the decision to tackle the job yourself or get the proffesionals in.

I will be doing a DIY guide with details of the home made bush fitting tool when I can get my pictures downloaded from my newly broken camera :(

Cupra bushes will fit any model of Fabia. I have a mate who's got them on his 1400 16v. They look like they will outlast the standard bushes by a fair amount.

Fitted Cupra and Powerflex bushes to the Fabia today. The car is 4 years old with 44k miles on the clock. It was a long job and quite testing at points but well worth the effort. The car is transformed with no noticable negatives. First impressions are: Virtual elimination of 'tram lining' and squirming under heavy braking Torque steer in lower gears has gone The suspension is less 'crashy' over bumps Turn in is much sharper In long fast corners there is no need to correct your line after initial turn in The occasional knocks and clunks seem to have gone No noticable increase in road noise No more vibration than with normal bushes Not a bad mod for £50 if you're brave and competent enough to take it on at home.

Got it sorted with no thanks to Mr Haynes

My summer toy