I have searched through the forum and noted the problems most people have had attempting to press out and press in the front wishbone rear console bushes.

Can anyone tell me if there is an independent mechanic/dealer near Potters Bar (Hertfordshire or nearish) who could press out and press in the bushes I have already bought, or if there is an aftermarket part (Powerflex?) that completely replaces the old bush?

If there is an aftermarket part then I can cut/saw the old bush out (taking care) and then slide in a replacement? It's my mothers car and I'm trying to keep the costs down for her as the Skoda dealers quoted her a ludicrous price...although now I've seen how awkward they are to replace maybe it was not ridiculous, just outrageous!

Thanks all.

Use the bushes from a Cupra R (Ibiza or Leon, cant remember)

Gave this some thought - initially considered making up the special tool - basically a long bolt with a nut and large washer to fit in and press out/press in the bushes. Use K-Y as a lube (water-based)...

Gonna get the dealer to do it - the consoles are aluminium and anything done wrong could be very expensive...

HTH

Bas

It does look like it will last longer than the standard part, according to the guys posting here, but it still leaves me with the problem that I cant press the old one out and the new one in using my basic tools whilst the car is one the driveway outside my house:confused:

Basil,

Any idea how much the dealer would charge if I walked the consoles in and asked them to remove/replace the bushes for me?

Cheers

its a good question, im considering getting the dealer to fit mine. but im worried that they dont all have this tool, and will just resort to using the old manchester screwdriver method and bend the console by accident!

PM lummox - he offers an exchange service I think.

no idea mate tbh - my dealer isn't in the UK. You'd best ask Lummox - he's a really nice person and may be able to come up with a solution...

HTH

Bas

VRStu,

Thanks I have PM'd Lummox. I also just rang the local Skoda dealer and asked them if they had the special tool and how much it would cost. What a laugh...got a young mechanic who said that they did not have a special tool and that they just used a 'big screwdriver', he went off to ask about how much this would cost. Now bearing in mind I said I would bring in the consoles off the car for the bushes to be replaced I was quoted 1 hr labour at £65 plus VAT.

Now to find my 'big screwdriver'! I have just looked at the replacement bushes and they are nylon on the outside (tough buy bendy) with rubber inside, there are no holes though (apart from the central bolthole) so perhaps I can fit them myself?

I think if you search you'll find that Teflon Tom had one shatter on him trying to do the bushes, so I assume they are in pretty tight. They also have to go in the right way - They are marked.

It's for that reason that Lummox offers the service - you may or may not know but he is a VAG MasterTech.

well i suppose at least 'big screwdriver' is better than the hammer i imagined

VRStu,

Yes I did see those posts:) .

I was going to have a go at it tomorrow but seeing as it's my mothers car and I don't want to leave her without her car if I do break them perhaps I would be better off waiting....any idea how much lummox does the exchange parts for roughly? I can see he is shown in Newport Pagnell, I could drive there from where I am.

Does he visit this forum alot?

He'll be around most nights - not sure how much it costs but he'll no doubt reply with all the info. I'll text him and let him know for you.

Thanks VRStu, great help.

I do have some exchange consoles that I can fit with the modified bushes, but it would depend on model as the vRS has a specific n/s console and I dont have any of them in.

The rest is via PM of course.

Thanks VRStu, great help.

We aim to please :P

getting the original bushes out is the easy bit , a gentle cut with a hack-saw , then just split the plastic outer , getting the aluminium outered Cupra bushes in is the hard bit without the correct toolage

Remember if you DO remove the consoles then take them to a Seat dealer to get the bushes fitted, you still need someone with the knowledge of these cars and the alignment jigs to reset the camber as you will have had to drop the cross member and all its fixing holes are over sized. I got a local VW service place to quote me to do this - ie I would remove and replace the consoles and they would replace the bushes then I would bring the car in to get the front set up properly - and the price was still pretty high. I took the VAG indep route and let them do the complete job, far better job and much cheaper!