I have had the common knocking on my 2001 Fabia 1.4. I suspected either the bushes or the ARB (and seems I was correct) but the garage also says I need to replace the sub frame too, is this common?

I'm more of a motorbike person and had a look through the replacing the antiroll bar and thought between myself and friends could handle that, but the replacement of the sub frame seems a little more involved.

The garage were absolutly terrible, they wouldn't let me speak to a mechanic to ask why the sub frame needed replacing and kept me waiting 45 minutes for a quote of the work, to pay for the inspections and to be treat like scum by a very rude woman. So after the PAS is done, I shall not be going back there. . . . Anyone recommend a good garage in the Peterborough/Cambridgeshire area that isn't Wings or Vindis.

Thank you so much!

Kara

You wont need the subframe replacing i can gurantee that unless it has been hit or damaged.

What I would imagine is the lower wishbone bushes are splitting and they are aiming to replace the outer consoles which come complete with the bushes rather than just change the bushes themselves.

Thank you so much for your answer, they would not let me look at the mechanics notes so I cannot say for certain exactly what they wanted doing except a scribbled list by a very rude receptionist that went along the lines of:

Anti Roll Bar

Alloy Subframe + Bush O/S

Also is it Skoda policy not to give out part numbers?

I have only owned the car for 9 months and in that time it has had no front end dmage and is HPI clear. Also I can't see any visual damage after jacking it up.

Like I say, I'm more of a bike person but I'm more than happy to give the job a go depending on how involved it is, most of the stuff I've worked on is a lot simpler.

That confirms it then, the main subframe is steel. They are looking to change the complete console as they either cant or dont want to change the £6 bush.

Where abouts are you?

I am in Peterborough but I'm willing to travel for somewhere decent. I am not suprised at them trying to rip me for nearly £300 for this, main dealers and all.

They wanted to charge me £60 for a new battery including 0.3 of an hour labour charges! Even I can change the battery quicker than that!

Peteborough isn't too far from me (im in Northampton).

If you are handy with the spanners and feel you could change the console (its not too difficult and half of the job is done with the anti roll bar anyhow) I have a spare console (would have to check if its the right one) and I have a new bush and the tools to change it over. I could do you a console on an exchange basis with a new bush fitted if that would help you out.

That would be awesome, I need to speak with my friend to see if he will help out and firgure a time and a place where I can do it.

Can I contact you after easter and we can do a deal? I will PM you with contact details if thats ok, thank you so much!

I'm often down Rockingham way, on a bike though!

That would be fine yes.