Can anyone please advise on this? The front subframe bushes on my son's 2001 Fabia appear to be in need of replacement. Is this a fairly simple DIY job or does it require specialist pullers and tools?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I'd use search using the terms "front suspension bushes" or "TCA rear bushes". This has been covered "A LOT" and the easy way to fix this is to get an indep VAG specialist to fit the Seat Ibiza Cupra solid bushes as the ones fitted will be voided - and so will fail again - two bushes cost maybe £20 total (bushes for 6L Ibiza Cupra - p/n 6LL407183). If you want to do this job properly the car will need a full four wheel re-alignment as the crossmember will need to be dropped. As a DIYer, what you need to remember is that if you are going to fit normal bushes - you need to draw in a nylon sleeved rubber bush into an aluminium "console" - there are guides on what you need to make up to do this. If you fit the Cupra bushes, you will be trying to drawing an aluminium hole - an aluminium sleeved rubber bush. You might get an great feeling of achievement after you have managed to do this - or just get grumpy if you crack or otherwise damage the aluminium consoles - the choice is your's!

Now if you descide this job is not for you and you are within driving range of MK - then you will find someone in here that could sort you out!

I've had a look for the aftermarket tool kit that allows replacement in-situ - I think the company was Bonus Tools UK - but they have gone it seems!

Edited 1 November, 200817 yr by rum4mo

Thank you for this.

When looking under the car, there appears to be a subframe which seems to be attached with a pad-like bush. I had assumed that these were the bushes rather than those on the suspension arm?

Catceefer

I can't think of what you have seen, the crossmember is just bolted up solid to the chassis (I think) - its just a straight(ish) bar made of a couple of bits of steel plate. The bits that tend to give problems are the bushes at the inner end (swivel point) of the front wishbones - or TCAs. The biggest culprit is the round section bush that is about 60mm in diameter and has a hex shaped hollow pin (one end of the TCA) sticking through it. The original factory fit bushes are voided - ie have some areas "missing", in service they tend to tear until the TCA is free to move with the inner section of rubber inside the outer section of rubber. One thing to try is, with the handbrake on and the car out of gear, try moving the front wheels back and forward and if there is a lot of movement then it is failed TCA rear voided bushes that are allowing this free movement of the wheels.

Thank you for the update.

I will have to have a better look, but what you describe does tie in with the symptoms: clunking from under the passenger's feet, most noticeably when you take your foot off the clutch to change up. Also, I compared both of the bushes metioned visually with the car on ramps and the nearside bush did seem to be softer and more compressed than the offside one.

I will let you know.

Standard,

Cupra,

Removal

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I have tried rocking the wheels as advised and the passenger side bush is showing a large amount of play, whereas the driver's side is much tighter. This would seem to be the problem.

Thank you for your help.