I just changed my worn out console bushes and thought I would share my experience. I started off trying to replace bushes with consloes still on car. N/S wishbone to console bolt stripped threads when removing(m12, 18mm spanner/socket). O/S same bolt sheared completely. So I ended up dropping whole subframe which turned out to be very straight forward and removing consoles completely. I managed to re-thread N/S console with an M12 1.5 tap. O/S sheared bolt would not budge with heating and welding on various nuts, so had to go to skoda and buy new console @£100 :(. I replaced standard bushes with ibiza cupra bushes but it was alot easier getting bushes in with a press rather than threaded bar and washer method.

So my advice if your going to tackle this job is to=

*drop subframe and get consoles off car

*soak m12 bolts in penetrating fluid, maybe overnight(due to diffrent metal types corroding overtime, alloy and metal)

*since console is off get someone to press in new bushes with hydraulic press

*remember and cost in new drop-links and if you are unlucky new consoles

As I said just thought I would share and info might help someone. Briskoda members have supplied me with lots of useful info

Subframes need to be pinned correctly when refitting.

I have a wheel wobble under braking around 30-50mph-ish. This was when I had 288 brakes fitted, replaced with 312 last week and it still happens.

Could worn console bushes be a cause to this?

Wouldn't have thought so, most likely tyres or wheel bearing maybe.

Swap wheels round, ie front on back and back on front, nice cheap way to find out.

I had my wheels powdercoated and had tyres fitted back on all balanced up at the same time as the 312's.

Had falkens up front with 288, now michelin with 312 and falkens on the rear.

what else would cause this annoying wobble? I would say discs/pads but it did it before I did the brake swap at around the same speeds.

annoying as the brakes are good and bite well just the wobble doesn't make me too confident.

"pinned" as inlined with car? Cheers

I had my wheels powdercoated and had tyres fitted back on all balanced up at the same time as the 312's.

Had falkens up front with 288, now michelin with 312 and falkens on the rear.

what else would cause this annoying wobble? I would say discs/pads but it did it before I did the brake swap at around the same speeds.

annoying as the brakes are good and bite well just the wobble doesn't make me too confident.

 

 

are the tyres directional and pointing the correct way?

Holmesie, no they're not directional.

I had falkens on the front pre-312 and they still did this.

Eric: any knocking at all? Could be driveshaft then?

Stewart: yeah, lined up correctly with the car. The subframe needs to be 100% spot on or it can change alot about the car, tracking will be out, pulling to one side etc.

It's easy to do and only cost about £30 or so. I have them as I'm in the trade but might seem expensive for a 1 off payment on your own car.

No knocking under braking or accelerating. I get the odd slight knock when turning around in my cul de sac. But nothing major to be honest.

I'm changing my console bushes too. Order orange power flex type ones off eBay. Came with front wishbone bushes too.

I have a hydraulic 30 ton press. I plan to completely remove the console arms also so I can press in the new bushes on the bench.

New drop links, arb bushes and ball joints ordered too.

I have replaced countless bushes on the Volvo s60 with power flex ones and their a good job!

I got the car back together last night and drove 300 miles today. The car pulled to the left abit before change and same after but I did notice some vibration at motorway speeds. Will a garage adjust when doing the tracking? I will need new track rods before that tho.

Eric, maybe worn balljoint?

Sorry for clogging up your thread Stewart

Is it just trial and error? Or can I actually eliminate such 'could be' problems...

A garage won't assume to adjust the subframe and I'd imagine most garages won't pin subframes when refitting them anyway.

Tracking might not fix the pulling to one side but will line the steering wheel up dead straight.

No worries eric Where can you buy pin tool mate? Also new wishbone bolts from skoda where about £4 each. New bushes are awsome by the way! Thanks for feedback

eBay item number: 180756131720

I guess I'll have to put it up on the ramp and have a wiggle about look for obvious play in bushes etc.

I would imagine that it will be very close to what it was before you removed it in reality.

So having your wheel alignment sorted will rectify any 'pulling' that is currently happening.

Yeah i've thought about it and I imagine it will be ok, but theres obviously a proper way to do all things. I will admit i've never followed torque setting for example. Only once when replacing engine head bolts, everything else is just put on with "feel".

Mk1 mondeo drop links work great with lowered budget coilovers BTW, another useful thread I read on here

what do people think of this? Are pads meant to sit like this when new-ish.

The pads are chamfered on each end, so yes, they are supposed to look like that.

If I were you, as you are quite near, why not head off to Star Performance just above Kirkcaldy (Dysart - on old coal pit site in a newish industrial estate), they are proper VAG indies and have proper kit and experience to do these sorts of jobs and re-align things.

 

As said already, the alignment you need is proper four wheel re-alignment, it is true that the rear end alignment is fixed, but to do the alignment properly, you now need the slightly moveable front end to get squared up to the rear - as well as checking the rear end is okay (free from accident/kerb damage or bent rear beam), Star can do this job properly at indie rates.

 

I was originally put off from using them as I assumed that they only did things to fast cars - reality is that any servicing work earns them money and they are free to fit Cupra bushes whereas VW and Skoda dealers don't seem to want to. I've used them for cambelt work as well and I travel from outside Edinburgh.

Thanks rum4mo, I will keep star performance in mind. I hate going to garages like quik fit e.t.c because they dont seem to have a clue what they are doing. Cheers