Ok, apologies for bringing up the topic of wishbone/console bushes again but I've searched and haven't managed to come across the answer I need.

My wifes fabia (3.5 years and 35k miles old) has the dreaded clonking from the front suspension. Mostly can be heard when going over a bump with a bit of lock on. It's actually getting quite bad now and when manoeuvring at low speed the steering feels a bit 'loose'.

My question is this;

how can I tell if the knocking is due to the ARB droplinks or the Console bushes as both seem to have the same symptoms?

I'm guessing that the loose feel in the steering may point more towards the bushes but don't want to diagnose on this alone as it may be my imagination!

Thanks in advance for any help

Ok, apologies for bringing up the topic of wishbone/console bushes again but I've searched and haven't managed to come across the answer I need.

My wifes fabia (3.5 years and 35k miles old) has the dreaded clonking from the front suspension. Mostly can be heard when going over a bump with a bit of lock on. It's actually getting quite bad now and when manoeuvring at low speed the steering feels a bit 'loose'.

My question is this;

how can I tell if the knocking is due to the ARB droplinks or the Console bushes as both seem to have the same symptoms?

I'm guessing that the loose feel in the steering may point more towards the bushes but don't want to diagnose on this alone as it may be my imagination!

Thanks in advance for any help

You can crawl under the front of the car just behind the front wheels. can't miss the console bushes. if they look worn or you can see them split then that's your question answered. If you want to see what they look like theres a good guide to replacing them in the technical section or on the wiki.

Not really sure how to check for drop link issues, unless they're snapped! Should be able to see them under the car too, they connect from the end of the anti roll bar and the other end is connected to the strut (i think). Is just a bar about 30cm long with 2 joints either end and a 2 nuts! They're quite cheap to replace

Hi normaly the console bush's cause more of a squeak than a knock,but whilst someone is looking at it get them to check that the end stops on the A/R/B have not come adrift causing the bar to knock into the console brackets this will cause a knock over bumps and whilst on slight lock hope this helps.

Hi i found out mine had gone by putting a wheel brace on one of the wheel studs (whilst tight) some where between top and first quarter of wheel clockwise. As i put a little pressure on the brace to tighten the stud the wheel rocked back towards rear of wheel arch quite a way! and if you get someone else to do this if you look under car you will be able to see the excessive movement in the bush, i did, replaced bush and much better all round! if you replace your bushes i would advice against cheap softer rubber ones that a lot of motor factors sell i made this mistake and lasted aprox 1000 miles get genuine ones (£20 i think mine cost.) Hope this helps.

its pretty easy to check the droplinks, just turn wheels right/left and rock the link with your hand; if you feel ANY looseness the link is surely dead

usually the lower joint becomes dead first while the upper is OK

it takes 20-30 minutes to replace both and you need only 16 mm wrench and some torx 25 or 30 (dont remember)

torn bushes usually produce very annoying squeak

Edited 3 May, 200917 yr by sprutolog

Hmm does a worn arb cause knocking? not sure if the old cracked sleeve/collar issue affects all fabias or just the VRS?

Would imagine that would cause vague woolliness in steering and knocking?

Would imagine that would cause vague woolliness in steering and knocking?

check steering links, its dangerous

The cracked sleeve/coller effected all fabia's regardless of model.But console bush's wear more on petrol engine models than diesel i have worked for a skoda main dealer for 10 years and now a master tech so i have done a fair few of these lol.

just change the console bushes and the drop links at the same time , job done

Thanks for the advice guys.

Had a quick shifty at the console bushes a few months ago and concluded they were ok but I'll have a better look this week and try what Masseytone recommended to check for play in them.

Also handy advice about how to check the droplinks- thanks for that.

If replacing the console bushes (with the Cupra ones) am I just as well to get the front set of bushes changed too or does it not really save any labour?

If the droplinks are just a couple of bolts I may as well do those at the same time for the sake of £20 a side.

I'll make sure I check the ARB too.

Hi normaly the console bush's cause more of a squeak than a knock,but whilst someone is looking at it get them to check that the end stops on the A/R/B have not come adrift causing the bar to knock into the console brackets this will cause a knock over bumps and whilst on slight lock hope this helps.

I would think that a car reg'd as a "55" should have been fitted with the later ARB at the factory.

Seeing as you are in Kirkcaldy, StarPerformance is just along at Dysart - they would sort that car out!