Afternoon chaps

 

Trying to replace the bushings in the control arm to get through MOT

 

The car is a 2001 1.4 16v Auto

 

I've unbolted the control arm but I have no space between the last few cm of the bolt and the auto transmissions oil sump.

 

Only thing I can think of to get it out is by dumping the oil and removing the sump which I really don't want to do.

 

The picture is a bit misleading, the hex bolt head is catching on the pan, not just the flared bit, I could cut it but I wouldn't be able to reinstall anyway.

 

 

p.s all the oil everywhere is from the power steering, self lubricating chassis?

 

Stick a jack under the sump with a block of wood to protect it and spread the force  then lift it a little til you have clearance?

...or lower the subframe slightly, you don't need to unbolt it, just loosen it enough to clear.

Also front bushes rarely give any trouble, whereas the console bushes always need replacing.

1 hour ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Stick a jack under the sump with a block of wood to protect it and spread the force  then lift it a little til you have clearance?

 

Haha quick replies, ended up loosening the engine mount and jacking it up, worked like a charm. Probably didn't need to undo the mount but suspension creeked when i gently jacked up so didn't want to take any chances.

 

47 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

...or lower the subframe slightly, you don't need to unbolt it, just loosen it enough to clear.

Also front bushes rarely give any trouble, whereas the console bushes always need replacing.

 

😞 Yeah, in fairness the front bushing was split when I got it out, didn't buy the console bushing nor have tools for it, did try to find a P/N through ETKA but I could only find the entire unit. Know what to do now so round two won't take an embarrassing amount of time

 

Thanks chaps

Don't buy a genuine console bush, get a PSB bush, really easy to install and better handling as a bonus.

Look up Fabia PSB bush on eBay, vastly superior and no special tools needed.

5 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

Don't buy a genuine console bush, get a PSB bush, really easy to install and better handling as a bonus.

Look up Fabia PSB bush on eBay, vastly superior and no special tools needed.

https://psbushings.co.uk/product/2-x-skoda-fabia-mk1-front-wishbone-rear-psb-poly-polyurethane-bush-1999-to-2007/

 

These?

4 minutes ago, adamyt said:

https://psbushings.co.uk/product/2-x-skoda-fabia-mk1-front-wishbone-rear-psb-poly-polyurethane-bush-1999-to-2007/

 

These?

 

Yes, those.

2 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

Yes, those.

 

Cool ordered

 

2 hours ago, sepulchrave said:

...or lower the subframe slightly, you don't need to unbolt it, just loosen it enough to clear.

Also front bushes rarely give any trouble, whereas the console bushes always need replacing.

Terrible terrible idea. Bolts are single use only and youll end up needing to replace about 6 expensive bolts vs just undoing 1.

38 minutes ago, ApertureS said:

Terrible terrible idea. Bolts are single use only and youll end up needing to replace about 6 expensive bolts vs just undoing 1.

 

Oh really, well I've done it many, many times, most recently on a Passat so I'll take your lack of experience under advisement thanks.

31 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

Oh really, well I've done it many, many times, most recently on a Passat so I'll take your lack of experience under advisement thanks.

Just because you have done it many many times doesn't mean its safe nor the correct way to do things.

Most suspension and subframe bolts are called torque to yield bolts meaning after tightening they stretch so only get one use. 

Now you are lucky if you reuse the bolt and it snaps when you tighten it down - lucky why? Well because the unlucky option is that it tightens down beyond its yield limits and when you go to do a strenuous maneuver it sheers off and causes a crash. 

 

Nothing to do with lack of experience (especially with quite a few years in the trade) more to do with keeping everyone safe by doing a job properly and having the knowledge to do it correctly.

Which is why a forum is only as good as the information shared on it and why its imperative you give people correct and safe advice. 

Can confirm, bolt snapped, kids crying. Nice one.

2 hours ago, ApertureS said:

Just because you have done it many many times doesn't mean its safe nor the correct way to do things.

Most suspension and subframe bolts are called torque to yield bolts meaning after tightening they stretch so only get one use. 

Now you are lucky if you reuse the bolt and it snaps when you tighten it down - lucky why? Well because the unlucky option is that it tightens down beyond its yield limits and when you go to do a strenuous maneuver it sheers off and causes a crash. 

 

Nothing to do with lack of experience (especially with quite a few years in the trade) more to do with keeping everyone safe by doing a job properly and having the knowledge to do it correctly.

Which is why a forum is only as good as the information shared on it and why its imperative you give people correct and safe advice. 

 

Christ on a bike you really are a pompous buffoon, you just got here but a lot of us have been on this forum doing this stuff for real for donkeys years.

 

What size are these bolts then, little todgers or big dicks? You don't have a scooby because you don't know what you're talking about. These are not TTY bolts, replacement is recommended due to the loss of the pretty green anti corrosion coating and so that dealers can make a margin on more stuff.

 

Nobody called the safety police so move along, there's nothing to see here, clean the threads with a wire brush and the bolts will torque up just fine, 124NM if they're M12 X 1.5.

 

I'm calling BS on your "trade" experience as well.

It's definitely worth avoiding disturbing the subframe if you can help it, particularly if you're working on the ground. They do have a bit of wiggle in their fitment, so you can mess your alignment up fairly easily. 

 

Not a great fan of poly bushes on the consoles myself, I've got them on mine and it's a bit harsh for a daily. If I were doing it again I'd go with the solid rubber bushes off an Ibiza cupra.

 

 

Got the PSB bushing installed but couldn't get the control arm to slide in, used plenty of lube, any tricks? Binds up about 2cm in

4 minutes ago, adamyt said:

Got the PSB bushing installed but couldn't get the control arm to slide in, used plenty of lube, any tricks? Binds up about 2cm in

 

You can use a ratchet strap. Only usually needed for the standard bushes but it will work for the PSB ones too.

7 minutes ago, TMB said:

 

You can use a ratchet strap. Only usually needed for the standard bushes but it will work for the PSB ones too.

 

Ratchet strap is genius, will give that a go

Just now, adamyt said:

 

Ratchet strap is genius, will give that a go

 

You can get them in Halfords if you don't have one....

 

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/roof-bars-roof-boxes/roof-box-accessories/halfords-essentials-5m-ratchet-strap

6 minutes ago, TMB said:

 

You can get them in Halfords if you don't have one....

 

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/roof-bars-roof-boxes/roof-box-accessories/halfords-essentials-5m-ratchet-strap

 

Have them but wasn't at home 😞

Couldn't quite get the ratchets in a good enough spot to crank down, any chance you have a pic of how you had them hooked up? I'm being beaten by a fabia 😭 haha

 

 

 

Couple of old pics from the briskoda wishbone guide. Sorry about the photobucket watermarks.

 

 

 

 

Edited 30 June, 20232 yr by TMB

I think with the PSB bushes you can fit the black bit to the wishbone, put the red bit in the console then just lube it all up and fit it.

13 hours ago, TMB said:

Couple of old pics from the briskoda wishbone guide. Sorry about the photobucket watermarks.

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome thanks, will give it a shot

 

13 hours ago, sepulchrave said:

I think with the PSB bushes you can fit the black bit to the wishbone, put the red bit in the console then just lube it all up and fit it.

 

They say it's very naughty to split the two pieces on the listing, it's already in now so going to be a mess to split them

Any luck, Adam?

Been a busy week so haven't had time yet mate, plan is tomorrow. Getting my pickup ready for an off road adventure in/around romania in a few weeks 👀

Edited 5 July, 20232 yr by adamyt