I needed to replace the nearside console bush as it was worn and I'd already fitted a poly to the offside last year when I had a bent wishbone.

Well, the 18mm headed large bolt which bolts through the bush, just decided to shear off.

It's potentially flush with the casting which goes into the engine crossmember, bottom of the suspension and the arb mounts, but may be sticking into the wishbone still.

Either way, anybody else had this issue and is it a simple job to remove the casting? Looks like just 2 bolts underneath on the crossmember, one up around the inner arch, and removal of the backet for the arb. It looks like it should then just slide out of the wheelarch? (I'm probably making it sound easier than it is!).

I guess if I can get the old wishbone out, I can drill out the massively high tensile bolt (that'll be fun) and clean the threads up, but if its easy enough to whip the whole casting out whole (if I can't get the wishbone out) then that'll be the plan.

Ideas/experiances appreciated.

Actually looking at this photo (opposite side though), it appears the bolt doesn't go into the casting, but straight through into something else?

Thanks

Chris

Edited 23 July, 201114 yr by the_fbi

It goes through the wishbone into the console just replaced one on a polo as the threads striped pretty simple to change

Console will be scrap, best get another one. Threads usually give up due to corrosion on the bolt being cross threaded previously.

It goes through the wishbone into the console just replaced one on a polo as the threads striped pretty simple to change

Well I just tried to remove the 3 lower (ie. not the one which goes up by the suspension) ones and the 18mm headed one was OK, the other two (which have the welded nuts on the top side of the cross member, and a 16mm head) moved slightly then locked solid. Tried cleaning up the visible part of the threads, penetrating oil etc etc, but I don't really want 2 more sheared bolts, this time on the crossmember, else there'll be no car left!

Annoyingly there's about 10mm of bolt left into the front wishbone mount, so drilling out and retapping isn't really an option (with the console on the car still).

So, I've decided to make it somebody elses problem. Going to phone the local Seat dealer on Monday, its 5K over a cambelt anyway, and get them to do the whole lot. With whats left of the bolt in the old hole, it moves ok, probably not enough to drive it so I'll have to see what the AA say about taking it for me.

Depressing (expensive) day :(

Better off recovering it to Unit18, be cheaper for the cambelt and i'd bet they have a spare console kicking about to put on it.

Better off recovering it to Unit18, be cheaper for the cambelt and i'd bet they have a spare console kicking about to put on it.

I did consider them, need to compare prices on Monday.

Ali will do a great job and be about half the price of a dealer

Same happened to me. I drilled and re tapped it. Took me hours.

You could heli coil it

Suprisingly easier than I expected to remove the wishbone complete with console.

The only annoying thing was one of the steering rack captive nuts wasn't so captive. Weirdly they aren't welded to the saddle clamp, just pressed in and perhaps peened over slightly. So the nut just kept turning and its a weirdly odd size, like 17.5mm. Managed to wedge a spanner on there, clamped down onto it and wedged against a bolt which used to hold the rear support bracket.

New parts (all bolts and saddle clamp) on their way from Tristan@BSM so should be back on the road at the weekend.