Having taken lots of notes and downloaded 'how to' photos from all you forum guys, I was raring to go changing my son's Fabia 1 console bushes. How annoyed was I to shear the big (18mm head) bolt that goes from the front through the wishbone almost as soon as I started this morning.

Well I soon got the whole console off ( it would seem easier to change the bushes with it on the bench) but having drilled through the centre of the bolt I couldn't get the drill to cut the last couple of milimetres as it seemed a harder steel than the rest of the bolt.

I have about 1.5 centimetres of bolt to get hold of and despite having locked two nuts together and soaked in penetrating oil and applying heat to the ally casting could still not get the old bolt to turn - no wonder it sheared when spannered!

Question 1. how to get old bolt end out of console?

Question 2. how to get bolt out of other side without shearing that too!

I shall be reassembling with copper grease to stop the steel and ally seizing together again.

By the way, copper grease is good to smear on mating faces of ally wheels to stop seizing on steel hubs/ discs. A mate of mine found out his were seized with full family load on board alongside a busy main road.

Looking forward to some ideas out of my mess.....thanks

Hi mate

Same thing happened to me about a month ago, and tbh, i thought about going down the whole drilling out route, but in the end just went to a scrap yard and picked up a new console for 20 quid. it came with a wishbone as well but the console bushes were ruined in that one so i just replaced it.

Hopefully you would be able to get the old wishbone out the original console you have, if not you could get a new one from euro car parts cheap, with the brisky discount they are like 30 quid.

My bolt on the other side wasn't seized as i had to change the subframe as well so that one had to come out too, so i hope you have the same luck.

Hope this has helped.

Josh

A long and lenghty topic on the Octy forum some time back was the use of copper grease on mating surfaces between Steel and Ally.

Using copper grease is an absolute 'no go' and is known to cause an acid reaction to the Ally causing corrosion.

Do a search to find what copper grease is made of, you will be surprised at the result.

I have banned it from my tool box.

Thanks for advice, may need a new console if can't get bolt out. Do factors such as GSF stock them or is it a Main Dealer jobby?

How much for a new one -any idea?

Well i didn't get a brand new one i just went to a scrap yard near mine, only cost me 20 quid. I reckon if your wanting new it would probably be a dealer job though, dread to think how much they would charge you for it like :/

Thanks, I'm still exploring the possibility of getting engineering workshop to drill it out. Makes a medium sized job into an epic!

Thanks for advice, may need a new console if can't get bolt out. Do factors such as GSF stock them or is it a Main Dealer jobby?

How much for a new one -any idea?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-POLO-FOX-IBIZA-SKODA-FABIA-PAIR-SUSPENSION-CONSOLES-/330706173336?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4cff9fbd98

Thanks guys, have ordered used from Skospares, Poole. Really nice bloke ,Gary, will get to me Weds.

Don't foget to use new bolts.

DB.

yep, I did wot the guys on Briskoda advised and bought new bolts. Why is this- do they stretch? Should I use any lubricant to stop seizing next time? E.G. copper grease?

Just a note of thanks for all advice on console bushes, this photo guide was great!

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/92625-fabia-wishbone-bush-replacement-diy-guide/

The bloke at Skospares (Gary) was as good as his word - on time and in fine condition used :- http://www.skospares.com/index.php

Used the Sealey tool VSE 4781 to extract & refit new bushes- made it SO easy!! ( any idea how I can adapt this tool to do Polo 1998 console bushes?)

Thanks also to VW/ Skoda independant Colin Gunning in Hertford for doing the tracking afterwards.

My daughter-in law thanked me saying how quiet it now was..........

So everyone's happy.

A long and lenghty topic on the Octy forum some time back was the use of copper grease on mating surfaces between Steel and Ally.

Using copper grease is an absolute 'no go' and is known to cause an acid reaction to the Ally causing corrosion.

Do a search to find what copper grease is made of, you will be surprised at the result.

I have banned it from my tool box.

*******s... are you serious? :( thats the calipers on the OH's Cupra goosed then!

Oopsie!

Is this a reference to galvanic corrosion?